How we are paid
On receiving an enquiry we invite a prospective client to come to our offices for a preliminary meeting. The purpose of the meeting is firstly to establish whether we are able to assist with the prospective client's needs and objectives, and secondly to discuss how we would be paid for our services should we be instructed to proceed. There is no charge for this preliminary meeting and no obligation on either side.
After the initial free consultation, we will agree with you whether you pay us a fee, or we are paid out of the cost of any financial product you buy (commission), or indeed a combination of the two.
Commission is paid by a provider, usually an insurance company or an investment house, for the successful placing of business. The commission is paid out of the product charges, although usually it is paid as a lump sum representing the life of the contract, so there is nothing you need to pay us in addition.
Fees can either be a fixed amount for a specific undertaking, or based on time spent and evaluated at a rate per hour calculated to recover our costs. Fees attract VAT at the prevailing rate.
Whether we take our remuneration by way of commission or fees will be a matter of discussion and agreement, and no charges for fees will be made without prior notification in writing.
Full details of our fees and charges are contained within our Client Agreement that are available on request.
The FSA do not regulate all products or services mentioned. You should remember that the value of some investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and they may not be guaranteed. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate loans or all forms of Mortgage. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments on your mortgage.