Independent Financial Advice Delivered Wherever You Are In The UK

Via Zoom, Phone or In-Person at our Sutton Coldfield offices. Call Our Friendly Team Now 0121 355 4455 to Secure Your Retirement

Oaklands Details

0121 355 4455
info@oaklandswealth.com
12A Duke Street
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B72 1RJ

Oaklands Wealth Management Ltd

Independent Financial Advisor v Bank

The biggest clue when considering whom to entrust with your pension and savings is in the first word of your question – Independent.

I have yet to hear of a bank who takes a truly independent view of a person’s finances.

Unless they have Independent Financial Advisors within their team who have full authority to advise across the full range of pension and savings products in the whole of the UK investment market, then their advice is by its nature restricted.

Most often they offer a limited selection of investment options defined by the banking group they are part of. The days of bank advisors being targeted and paid on the sales of particular products, regardless of if they were really the most suitable solution, are hopefully over. Though one wonders if some implied pressure remains to recommend particular pension and savings products for commercial reasons.

Here’s the Financial Conduct Authority’s definition of restricted and independent financial advisors:

“If you are looking to get advice about investing your money, there are two different types of financial advisers – independent and restricted.

The type of adviser you choose can affect the advice you are given.

  • Independent advisers offer a wide range of financial products and providers.
  • Restricted advisers will generally focus on a limited selection of products and/or providers.

All financial advisers must be approved or authorised by us. Both independent and restricted advisers must pass the same qualifications and meet the same requirements to ensure they are providing suitable advice.

An adviser or firm must tell you in writing whether they offer independent or restricted advice. If you are not sure what they offer you should ask for more information.”

[Source: FCA website: fca.org.uk

In the end it’s up to your assessment of how well a bank is able to advise you compared to an IFA. With so many bank closures across the country now it’s going to be increasingly difficult to get a one-to-one meeting with anyone. And will that person still be there with all the ongoing corporate shake-ups? If it’s a private bank you are looking into you’ll likely have to travel to large city location so you’ll need to know that location is suitable for you.

If, like most, you favour having the option to meet your advisor face-to-face then an independent IFA firm in a convenient location is going to be high on your list of priorities. You don’t need me to tell you that the advisor needs to get to know you as a person to provide financial recommendations which are appropriate to your situation and aspirations.

A Little Action Plan

Draw up a shortlist of your potential advisors.

Treat the process like you would a job interview.

Except you are doing the selection process – you get to ask the questions.

Here are 5 to be going on with:

  1. Is your advice independent or restricted?
  2. Talk me through your investment and advice process.
  3. How do you measure my risk profile?
  4. Show me your cashflow planning process
  5. Explain your fees and service proposition to me.

I think by the time you’ve cross-referenced the answers to each of these you’ll have whittled down your selection to one or two advisors whom seem the most professionally competent and operate within a supportive firm.

All of this is a very rational and sensible process when you are dealing with money matters.  Though bear in mind research shows time and again we make decisions far more on an emotional basis than we might at first think.

In this regard, instinct can serve you well in sussing out which out of your shortlist are really interested in you . . . not just your money.

Interested in finding out more?

Seeking a second opinion on your financial future costs you nothing.

Simply call our friendly team on 0121 355 4455 or drop us an email to appointments@oaklandswealth.com to arrange a confidential chat.

Oaklands Wealth Management, founded by Helen Blackburn in 2004 advises

clients across the UK on retirement planning, pensions & investments.

Her firm holds British Standard BS 8577 for client service & investment process.

Minimum investment is £500,000 (£650,000 for pension transfers).

IMAGINE YOUR PENSION & SAVINGS 100% UNDER CONTROL…
Book a call

Similar articles

MEET OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Click to view profile
Click to view profile

THINKING OF MOVING FROM YOUR EXISTING ADVISOR?

It’s easy to move on from another advisor.
We’ll handle everything.

All that’s needed is for you to sign some letters of authorisation and we’ll do the rest.

None of your investments will be switched into new funds until you’ve agreed with our recommendations and you’re fully happy with any changes we propose.

Book a call

7 KEY FEATURES OF THE OAKLANDS WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICE

British Standard BS 8577 Awarded Service

12 Month Money Back Service Guarantee

Lifetime Cashflow Planning

Risk Adjusted Personal Investment Portfolio

ISO 222222 Certified Financial Advisors

Monthly Fund Analysis

2 Investment Portfolio Reviews Per Year

A WORD FROM OUR CLIENTS...

“Upon leaving Rolls-Royce after 26 years, I wanted to transfer my pension into an investment fund but find anything investment related a ‘black art’. Helen reviewed my circumstances and risk profile to develop my portfolio. Every Oaklands’ team member I’ve seen is an established professional and I would recommend Helen and her team in a heartbeat.”

Ian Foster

A WORD FROM OUR CLIENTS...

“After great dissatisfaction with the service of major high street banking group I approached Oaklands to manage my pension and investment portfolio. They have provided sound advice on pre- retirement planning and achieved a good return on our capital as well now in retirement. The service offered by Helen and the team at Oaklands is second to none.”

Peter Worral

A FRIEND FOR YOUR FINANCIAL JOURNEY...

THIS IS NOT A DIY SERVICE – WE TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SETTING UP YOUR PENSIONS AND SAVINGS. FOR LIFE.

No half measures. We don’t set it up then leave you all at sea. We manage your investments ongoing and hold ourselves accountable for steering you through your financial journey.

This phrase came from a client who said that’s exactly what we felt like to him, he said “you are like a friend or good neighbour who’s always got my best interests at heart.”

Whatever the reason you come to us we care. We really care. Like it’s our own money.

Tidying up bit and bobs of pensions and putting them neatly in a pot you have full control over.

Maybe transferring a final salary pension if your objectives are better met with your own pension.

Making sure you get all the tax efficiencies legally available to you to enhance your money.

Pointing the microscope on 3,000+ funds and finding the best ones to secure your retirement.

Get in touch
FEES
FEES
Find out more
OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
Find out more
CLIENT JOURNEY
CLIENT JOURNEY
Find out more
ACCREDITATIONS
ACCREDITATIONS
Find out more