Beat the last gasp ISA dash - see an IFA now to weigh up your options
A world of investment opportunity, but which products are right for you?
- Call IFA Promotion on 0800 085 3250 or
visit www.unbiased.co.uk for your free ISA guide -
"In the run up to the end of the tax year, many people will be looking at ISAs as a way of making the most of their tax-sheltered allowances," said David Elms, Marketing Director of IFA Promotion. "Only an IFA can offer totally unbiased advice across the market on which is the most suitable ISA for your individual circumstances, whether you're taking an ISA out for the first time or making a repeat purchase. We are urging investors to get advice early and beat the inevitable last gasp dash."
The ISA rules mean there are even more tax-free products than ever to choose from - you could opt for a plain vanilla UK FT?SE tracker fund or plump for a more specialised fund, anything from Healthcare sector to Far Eastern funds. An IFA can add value by doing the shopping around for you and finding the best mix of investments to meet your objectives."
To help people in making a decision on which Individual Savings Account (ISA) to buy - or whether to get one in the first place - IFA Promotion has produced a free independent guide to ISAs. The booklet, "Thinking about an ISA", explains why people should consider saving through ISAs and where they can get advice.
Thinking about an ISA is available FREE by calling the IFA Promotion consumer hotline on 0800 085 3250 or download it from www.unbiased.co.uk. Callers will also receive details of three local IFAs plus a free consultation voucher.
The guide explains, in simple terms:
- What an ISA is
- Who can invest in an ISA
- How much you can invest
- What the cash, life assurance and investment elements of ISAs are
- What the CAT standards are
- What happens to your Personal Equity Plans and TESSAs
- What happens if you want to change your ISA manager
- How long ISAs will be available
- What the tax advantages are
It also outlines what to consider before seeking advice, such as preparing your own questions to ask the adviser, deciding on how to pay for the advice you receive and the level of risk you are prepared to take.
Elms concluded, "Independent financial advisers who can, and must, access a range of companies and products, are well placed to recommend which ISA - out of more than 280 on the market - is most suitable for someone's individual circumstances."
For further information please contact:
| David Elms Marketing Director IFA Promotion Tel: 020 7833 3131 | or | Richard Winder/ Shellie Wells Lansons Communications Tel: 020 7490 8828 |
Notes to Editors
1. Independent Financial Adviser Promotion
Independent Financial Adviser Promotion Ltd. was established in 1989 to promote the value and accessibility of independent financial advice to the public. It represents over 9,000 registered individual independent financial advisers across the UK and is sponsored by 31 leading financial institutions. In 2000, over 130,000 people contacted IFA Promotion for details of local independent financial advisers.
IFA Promotion's central belief is:
"Consumers have a right to financial advice that is independent of the providers of financial products - i.e. independent financial advice."
Furthermore independent financial advice should be:
- Affordable. The option to take independent financial advice should be available, by right, to all - not just the wealthiest in society.
- Convenient. IFA should be available in the location of the consumer's choice, wherever they live in the UK.
- Transparent. It must be clearly transparent to consumers who is able to offer independent financial advice and who is not.
2. Independent Financial Adviser Promotion's sponsors
| Barclays Global Investors Funds BUPA Canada Life Clerical Medical Investment Group Dresdner RCM Funds (UK) Ltd. Eagle Star Family Assurance Friendly Society Ltd Friends Provident INVESCO Fund Managers Ltd Investec Asset Management Legal & General Mercury Asset Management National Mutual National Savings Norwich Union Life NPI | Prudential Intermediary Division Scottish Amicable Life Plc Scottish Equitable Plc Scottish Life Assurance Company Scottish Mutual Assurance Plc Scottish Provident Institution Scottish Widows plc Standard Life Assurance Company Sun Life Swiss Life (UK) plc The Skandia Group of Companies Tunbridge Wells Equitable Friendly Society UNUM Ltd Winterthur Life UK Ltd Zurich Life Assurance Company |