About AM Financial Strategy.

Angela Murfitt Financial Strategy Ltd is proud to announce that we have recently been awarded the prestigious Chartered Financial Planners designation by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) which is the Financial Services Industry's gold standard for firms of financial planners and is held by just over 50 firms nationwide.

Only the premier firms in our industry qualify for this status. It is given in recognition of having satisfied rigorous qualification criteria including demonstrating a highest level of professional excellence and integrity together with a commitment to continuously update our knowledge whilst adhering to the strict Code of Ethics and Conduct of the CII.

The Team

Angela Murfitt has worked in the Financial Services industry for over 20 years and is considered an expert Financial Planner. She holds the title of Chartered Financial Planner which is held by less than 1% of financial services professionals. She specialises in Investment and Pension Planning with a particular interest in Inheritance Tax planning strategies. She is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, an Associate of the Institute of Financial Planning and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Malcolm Murfitt is Company Secretary and has many years knowledge and experience of running businesses. He is responsible for business planning and accounts administration.

INDEPENDENT ADVICE

Independent advice is not the only option available.

If you go to your high street bank you may be greeted by a financial adviser, but they could well be tied to recommending and promoting the products of the bank, or a single insurance/investment company to which the bank has an allegiance. So why do we need independent advisers, and how can customers be sure they are getting a fair deal?

The Financial Services Authority

The FSA, to give it its shorter title is the government watchdog that regulates all financial and insurance firms this ranges from the largest multinational bank, to the financial adviser operating as a sole trader. The FSA handbook of rules and guidance lays down the laws to which all Independent Financial Advisers must adhere, and the way they treat customers is governed by the Conduct of Business (COBS) rules. The rules are freely available from the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk. Please note: this is an external site and our firm is not responsible for the content.

How do I know the company I am dealing with is independent?

Independent advisers are able to select the correct product for customers from the entire market that means they can potentially recommend any product from any insurance company providing it suits the customer's needs and objectives. With such a wide choice of companies, investments and saving tools the customer can be reassured that they are not simply being provided with a standard recommendation and are getting personalised advice.

To ensure you do get personal advice your financial adviser will collect certain details about you and your circumstances to enable him to correctly advise you. Remember to be as open and honest as you can, because the more information you provide, the more accurate the adviser can make his recommendations.

If the adviser is providing advice on investment related business, they must provide a Client Agreement. The Client Agreement has now replaced the 'Terms Of Business' Letter. This document can now also incorporate the information normally included in the 'Key Facts about our services' and 'Key Facts about the cost of our services' . You can ask to see these documents at any time. Use the 'contact us' page to request these.

What protection do I have?

Your adviser will always endeavour to do the very best for you. Whenever you deal with a financial adviser you will receive details on the complaints procedures offered by the firm. If you wish you can request a copy of these procedures at any time. When the adviser is advising you on regulated products (including investments, insurance and mortgages) you have the protection of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Details of this scheme can be provided on request.

Anything else I should know?

Some financial advisers do give advice on products that are not regulated by FSA such as general taxation and some Buy-to-Let mortgages. Your adviser will explain to you when you are receiving advice on an unregulated product. It is important you are happy with the advice as you do not have the added protection of FOS or FSCS when dealing with some unregulated products.

The Financial Services Authority does not regulate Taxation Advice and some Buy to Let Mortgages.

For more information please visit our other website at; www.angelamurfitt.ifa-web.co.uk