How We Give Advice

Focus is a 'Whole of Market' firm of Independent Financial Advisers (IFA's), owned by the partners, and not part of any other financial institution. We work for you, the client, and not a product provider. A round of regulatory reform is an attempt by the Government to create a market in which consumers make informed choices from the following sources:

WHOLE OF MARKET: IFA's advise on products from the whole market and offer clients the options of paying for advice via a fee, commission, or a combination of both.

SINGLE TIE: Where a salesperson can only sell products from a single provider and must make a full disclosure of their link to that provider.

MULTI TIE: Has ties to a small number of providers effectively providing a halfway point between 'Whole of Market' and 'Tied'.

Consumers are provided with two disclosure documents to clarify the options available. This means an agreement is entered into with a clear understanding of what is being offered. The Initial Disclosure Document (IDD) details the status of the adviser and the range of products on offer. The Key Facts Document (KFD) details the cost of the advice.

We have found one-to-one is the best way for a client to gain a full understanding of the topic in question. We interpret complex financial documents, clarify illlustrations and explain report recommendations for you. Hard copy documents or technology based solutions will always be explained in person.

The Focus partners and staff are highly qualified with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Each adviser has a dedicated telephone number and e-mail and can be contacted at any time to discuss your personal requirements.

Focus is solely UK based with no overseas call centres and no automated receptionist, you will always speak to one of us in person.

We wish to build long term relationships with our clients where the advice will evolve in line with changes in your circumstances, needs and requirements. We have systems in place to ensure that this ongoing service is managed and delivered effectively.

TYPICAL ADVICE ISSUES WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN EFFECTING A MORTGAGE

An initial meeting to determine the needs and mortgage requirements of the client.
Detailed assessment of the client's financial situation taking into account any existing mortgage commitments, credit commitments, status, income, expenditure and investments.
Complete research from 'Whole of Market' to establish the best products and schemes to meet the client's requirements.
Discuss underwriting issues with lenders and insurers as required. Agree your mortgage in principle with the lender subject to valuation and references.
Prepare detailed key facts, illustrations and research information for relevant proposed solutions and alternatives.
Present findings and recommendations to the client. Initiate the chosen plan and ensure an effective administration process from application to offer.
Manage the administration process of the mortgage and associated insurances to ensure exchange of contracts and completion within the advised timescale.
Liaise with lenders, insurers, solicitors and agents as required. Manage the review process of the mortgage on a regular basis to ensure the client's needs are always met.

TYPICAL ADVICE ISSUES WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN GENERATING A RETIREMENT INCOME FOR CLIENTS

Detailed and in depth discussions on the levels of income and capital lump sums required and also the need to protect against inflation.
To provide benefits for spouses and family on death.
Consider health and life expectancy.
Plan a tax-efficient income.
Review of all assets and existing investments.
Careful consideration of your attitude to risk, and where appropriate, suitable investments to secure income and protect your capital investment.
Sourcing the most competitive product terms from all specialist providers in the marketplace.
Set up the investment plans.
Regular reviews (usually annually) of circumstances to make changes and adjustments where needed.

TYPICAL ADVICE ISSUES WITH COMMERCIAL INSURANCE CLIENTS

We endeavour to do the following:
Meet the client to explain our services and undertake detailed analysis of the risk.
Identify areas of cover that could be improved upon and discuss additional covers where there may be gaps. We often find clients are unaware of the risks that they could be exposed to and unaware of what insurance cover is available.
Discuss any Risk Management and Health & Safety issues. Prepare a detailed report/presentation after in-house discussions with the Commercial Insurance Team, then send this to insurers for consideration.
Prepare the final recommendation and report to the client, detailing the cover, main conditions, main exclusions, highlighting key facts, areas of improvement and additional cover we may recommend. Set up monthly payment plan, (if required).
Provide assistance with any form filling required.
Set up the policy & client details on the computer.
Provide the client with a bound Risk Register (if appropriate), which is a detailed cover summary/portfolio of the policies.

TYPICAL ADVICE REGARDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SCHEMES

We will create a bespoke package of benefits for your company. All too often in the past, these benefits may have been set up 'off the peg' and are simply not appropriate today.
Benefits need to be attractive so that you can recruit and retain staff but at the same time must be competitively priced in order to achieve the right balance between employer and employee needs.
Protection benefits, i.e., Death in Service, Income Protection and Private Medical Insurance vary greatly in cover, cost, policy wording and underwriting flexibility.
Pensions have changed dramatically in recent years and modern schemes now offer a wide range of investment options within a competitively priced package.
We will implement the right portfolio of services for your company and communicate this effectively to your employees for maximum benefit, usually on a 'one-to-one' basis.