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Demand for Independent Financial Advice on ISAs hits record levels in 2007 (Consumer)

        Nearly 150,000 requests for an Independent Financial Adviser were made through Unbiased.co.uk in the first quarter of 2007

        Demand for independent advice on ISAs at an all-time high of nearly 16,300 requests between January and March 2007

        Demand for independent advice on protection products and stakeholder pensions is also on the rise in 2007

Demand for independent advice on ISAs, protection products and personal stakeholder pensions has increased rapidly during the first quarter of 2007, reports Unbiased.co.uk, the website promoting the benefits of independent financial advice. Consumer demand for advice on ISAs rose by over 1,000 requests (representing an 8% increase) between January and March 2007 relative to the same period – more commonly known as “ISA season” - last year.

Unbiased.co.uk’s Advice Drivers report also reveals that the site received a record total of nearly 150,000 requests for details of local IFAs between January and March 2007, broadly driven by increased consumer demand for advice on ISAs but also by more requests for IFAs advising on protection products and personal pensions.

The report is compiled on a quarterly basis from comprehensive data collected as a result of individual consumer selections made when requesting details of a local IFA through Unbiased.co.uk. This data reveals that the proportion of consumer enquiries requesting advice on ISA planning alone increased to a record high of almost 16,300 requests between January and March of this year – up from just 15,000 during the same period last year.

The top ten Advice Drivers last quarter were as follows:

^{*IFA Promotion figures using consumer searches on www.unbiased.co.uk NB: more than one product area can be selected}

David Elms, Chief Executive of Unbiased.co.uk, commented: “Once again, the first quarter of the calendar year has proved most popular for consumers demanding independent financial advice, sparked by New Year’s resolutions and a desire to take control of their finances as the end of the Tax Year approaches. It’s interesting to see that with the recent media debate over the pros and cons of ISA uptake, record numbers of consumers are now searching for local IFAs to discuss their individual situations – particularly with regards to ISAs. From Unbiased.co.uk’s perspective it’s reassuring to know that many more consumers are ensuring they get the best possible advice by going to see an IFA.”

Consumers can obtain details of local IFAs who focus on specific product areas by visiting www.unbiased.co.uk or by calling 0800 085 3250.  They can search for IFAs with incremental qualifications, specific payment options, or state a preference to see a male or female IFA.

For further information please contact:

David Elms	Nicola Hussey/Anna Schirmer
Chief Executive	Lansons Communications
Unbiased.co.uk	020 7566 9718/ 020 7294 3605
020 7833 3131

For expert comment or case studies from over 200 media-friendly IFAs, journalists should call unbiased.co.uk’s Media Services hotline on

020 7294 3682 or search online at www.unbiased.co.uk/media

1.      Independent Financial Adviser Promotion

Unbiased.co.uk is the consumer brand of IFA Promotion, the organisation established in 1989 to promote the value and accessibility of independent financial advice to the public. It represents around 9,000 firms of independent financial advisers across the UK, incorporating over 17,000 registered individuals. These individuals hold over 20,000 incremental qualifications which are each individually verified by the awarding body. IFA Promotion welcomes the prominent display of incremental qualifications and further developments into the credentials of independent financial advice.  

IFA Promotion is sponsored by 30 leading financial institutions, and in the past 12 months, over 600,000 consumers and businesses used unbiased.co.uk to find local independent financial advice.

IFA Promotion believes 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. IFAs 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

  Aberdeen Asset Management	London Mortgage Company
  Abbey	Lincoln Financial Group
  AEGON Scottish Equitable Plc	Mortgage Express
  Alliance Trust	National Savings & Investments
  AXA Life	New Star Investment Funds
  Bright Grey	Norwich Union Life
  BUPA Health Services	Prudential
  Canada Life Ltd	Scottish Life
  The Children’s Mutual	Scottish Life International
  Clerical Medical Investment	Scottish Widows Plc
  Defaqto	Skandia UK Group
  Friends Provident	Standard Life Assurance Company
  Tomorrow	Unum
  Invesco Perpetual	Webline Limited
  Legal & General	Zurich Intermediary Group

  Registered Office: IFA Promotion Ltd, 90 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5UB. Registered in Scotland: No. 114606