15 September 2008

Consumer Satisfaction With Independent Financial Advisers at Record Levels

Independent research published today, reveals that satisfaction levels amongst consumers who go on to see an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) after using Unbiased.co.uk’s ‘Find an IFA’ service, are at record levels.

The research, undertaken by Consensus, reveals how a representative sample of Unbiased.co.uk’s 575,000 online and hotline enquirers, who then went onto see an IFA, found the experience.

Almost nine out of ten (88%) consumers using the online and hotline Unbiased.co.uk service said they were fairly (31%) or very satisfied (57%) with the meeting with the IFA and its outcomes. 

87% of consumers who met with an IFA after using the ‘Find an IFA’ service said that they would meet with the same IFA again. Of those who wouldn’t see the same IFA again, four out of five (80%) would still use a different IFA in the future.

At the same time – the vast majority (91%) of consumers found the information they received from the Unbiased.co.uk’s ‘Find an IFA’ service helpful. The service provides an interactive search for consumers seeking independent financial advice.   Consumers can search for an IFA by location (postcode), specialisation, qualifications, and gender.

David Elms, Chief Executive of Unbiased.co.uk, commented: “This independent research clearly demonstrates that the IFA brand is stronger than ever and delivers what consumers are looking for- independent financial advice on their personal finance matters.

“Despite the UK experiencing an economic slowdown, independent financial advice remains a crucial element in consumers’ financial planning. Our own data shows that consumers are continuing to seek independent financial advice, whether they are looking for help with their retirement planning, investment advice or any other financial aspect. Also, the fact that 87% of those that see an IFA would see the same IFA again demonstrates that the Unbiased.co.uk ‘Find an IFA’search adds real value to our 9,000 member IFAs.”

-ends-

Research undertaken by Consensus amongst 1,231 consumers who used Unbiased.co.uk’s ‘Find an IFA’ service during 2007/08.

For further information please contact:

David Elms

Anna Schirmer/Jennifer Comerford/ Anna Moulds

Chief Executive

Lansons Communications

Unbiased.co.uk

020 7294 3682

020 7833 3131

 

 

For expert comment or case studies from over 200 media-friendly IFAs, journalists should visit www.unbiased.co.uk/bluebook to search online or call Unbiased.co.uk’s Media Services hotline on 020 7294 3682.

1.      Unbiased.co.uk

Unbiased.co.uk is a not for profit organisation which promotes the benefits of Independent Financial Advice to UK consumers. 

Unbiased.co.uk, which is in its 19th year, creates over 6,000 pieces of positive coverage in the consumer media each year, highlighting the importance of seeking independent financial advice across online, broadcast and print media. This positive media generation influences consumers’ behaviour and increases their awareness of the benefits of seeing an IFA.

Unbiased.co.uk is the online gateway between consumers researching their financial advice options and IFAs. Over 60 white label versions of Unbiased.co.uk’s confidential ‘Find an IFA’ service are now running on partner websites including those of media and portal money channels, product provider sponsors and other industry bodies.

Over the past 12 months, over 575,000 consumers have used Unbiased.co.uk’s ‘Find an IFA search’, or one of the white labels, to find a local IFA – and 94% of these enquiries were dealt with online.

When searching for a ‘Find an IFA’ on UK Google, around 80% of the returned links over the first five pages of search results now display either Unbiased.co.uk directly or a white label version of Unbiased.co.uk’s ‘Find an IFA’ service running on a partner website. To support this activity Unbiased.co.uk now regularly provides white label versions of its consumer guides, tools, microsites and podcasts to partner personal finance websites.

2.      Unbiased.co.uk’s product provider sponsors

Abbey for Intermediaries

Lincoln Financial Group

Aberdeen Asset Management

Lockton

AEGON Scottish Equitable Plc

Lutine Assurance Services

Alliance Trust

MetLife

AXA Life

National Savings & Investments

Bright Grey

New Star Investment Funds

BPP

Norwich Union Life

Canada Life Ltd

Prudential

Cardif Pinnacle

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

The Hartford

Tomorrow

Invesco Perpetual

Unum

Legal & General

Zurich Intermediary Group

 

Registered Office: Unbiased.co.uk is the consumer brand of IFA Promotion Ltd, 90 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5UB. Registered in Scotland: No. 114606

Post this article to:
 del.icio.us    Digg    Newsvine    Reddit  

 Furl    MyYahoo!    Facebook    StumbleUpon

Read more press releases

Archive

 

Latest News:

Consumers Continue to Seek Independent Financial Advice as Fears of Recession Loom..., read all press releases...