Financial planning, throughout life
Essential, friendly, independent financial advice on family protection, mortgages, pension planning, savings and investments
Contents About us
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Why choose an Independent Financial Adviser?
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How we work
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What we offer Family Protection Mortgages Savings and Investments Retirement Planning
10 11 12 13
How we get paid (Protection and Mortgages)
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How we get paid (Investments and Pensions)
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What we do for you, our Service Agreement
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About us We are a Financial Services Company with a dedicated team of Independent Financial Advisers. We enjoy long term relationships with our clients and look to ensure their financial requirements are catered for throughout the phases of their lives. We maintain this by developing close personal relationships, while also applying our knowledge and professionalism to every aspect of finance, however small. Premier Plus was established in April 1997 and operates from our head office in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Our Adviser numbers have grown over the years and we now have more than 175 years combined experience in Financial Advice. From 1997 to 2000 Premier Plus Ltd was an agent for one of the UK’s largest insurance companies, but in 2000 we decided the best way forward to serve our clients was to be Independent Advisers. Our approach is working, as we currently look after the interests of more than 4,000 people – most of whom have been referred to us by existing, satisfied clients. Our strength lies in these relationships.
Referrals are our business
Why choose an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA)? Premier Plus is here for you for life – from planning to buy your first car or home, to raising children and eventually into retirement. Our independence is a key factor for people when choosing us, and because we have no ties to any financial institution, we can provide advice from across the whole market. This is why choosing an IFA makes sense. Some Advisers, who operate in high street banks, building societies and life insurance companies - have contractual obligations to one or more product providers so the advice they can give is restricted and not from the whole market place. Premier Plus acts as the agent of its clients and independence enables us to research products from across the market.
Personal advice for you
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How we work Initial Meeting Background The Adviser will introduce themselves and Premier Plus Ltd to you and provide you with a business card with their contact details; The Adviser will discuss the Terms of Business Letter and relevant disclosure documents with you. It is at this meeting that you will generally be presented with this agreement detailing our services and our method of operation. Fact Find The main purpose of this meeting will be to obtain as much information as possible relating to your financial circumstances and objectives. It is therefore beneficial if you can have available any details of policies, schemes, investments, mortgages, income and expenditure, wills, interests in trusts that you have. This information will normally be collated by the Adviser on our personal financial questionnaire. This includes your basic personal details and an indication of your Personal Financial Objectives. A key area that the Adviser will wish to fully understand is your ‘Attitude to Risk’ as this will have significant impact on the advice to be given. The importance that risk will have on your objectives will be discussed and recorded.
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How we work Client Identification As we are required by legislation to know who we are dealing with, please have available evidence of your identity and address. This would normally include either your passport or driving licence and a utility bill in your name. If these documents are not available please speak to the Adviser who will confirm what alternatives would be acceptable. Questions and Next Steps Please note should you have any questions during the process please do ask as our Adviser is happy to discuss any queries you may have. The Adviser will then explain the next steps in the advice process to you. If any fees are due at outset these will be explained, together with any authority forms that may need to be signed so that we can act on your behalf, for example to obtain the current valuations of existing investments. Research Where necessary, we will forward your authorisation to the relevant Product Providers. The additional details issued by the Provider will be analysed with the information gathered at the initial meeting. We may need to revert back to you for further information and ask your permission to liaise with your other Professional Advisers (accountant, solicitor, investment managers etc).
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How we work Using internal and external technical research we will prepare a recommendation to suit your individual objectives. This will also be assessed against your attitude to risk, your time horizon, associated costs, your budget and your personal tax position. Recommendation When we have prepared our recommendations we will arrange to meet again and discuss them with you. The recommendation will contain supporting information including where applicable, illustrations and product brochures. You can consider our recommendations at your leisure. Should you have any questions on any of the elements of the recommendation please do ask.
How we work Costs The costs associated with the recommendation(s) will also be detailed in the report for you. Time Line Our research and recommendation takes just a few days to complete once we have full details of your existing arrangements. Implementation If you agree with our recommendations, we will complete the necessary documentation with you and arrange for this to be forwarded to the relevant providers. Please note that following the completion of this service we will not provide any further services unless one of our ongoing services is agreed. Details of any transactions undertaken through the Firm will be recorded on our back office systems.
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Family Protection The most difficult and challenging periods in people’s lives are during bereavement, long term illness or the on-set of a life changing condition. Premier Plus specialise in protecting your family from the consequences of a major loss of income. We deal with the main providers to source the most cost effective products to meet your protection needs. Have you considered • What would happen to your family should you die? • How would you pay your bills if you were off work sick? • Would diagnosis of a critical illness have an effect on your lifestyle? We can review your requirements and existing cover to ensure the protection you need is in place at a competitive cost.
Could your family cope financially without you? 10
Mortgages and Equity Release Mortgages Our dedicated team of Mortgage Advisers work directly for you and not for any Estate Agents or Providers. This ensures you get truly independent mortgage advice. Your mortgage Adviser will help you find the best mortgage option giving consideration to: • • • • • •
Monthly cost Overall cost Affordability Flexibility Overpayments Lender’s criteria
Arranging borrowing is known to be one of the most stressful times in your life! Your mortgage Adviser’s role is to administer your mortgage application and bring together the necessary paperwork and documentation from the various relevant parties in order for the application to complete. They also have a dedicated administrator to assist them in the whole process – so let us take the strain. Just relax and we will do the hard work for you! Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate some forms of buy to lets, commercial loans, tax advice or conveyancing.
We are with you every step of the way 11
Savings and Investments Whether you are saving for a new house, your children’s future or just a rainy day, we have access to the full range of products and services to meet your needs. With over £80 million of our client’s funds under management we have all the necessary expertise to help you manage your money whatever your circumstances. Is your money working as hard for you as you are for your money? Savings and Investments are complex areas. Using Premier Plus as your Professional Independent Adviser can help make your goals achievable.
Your money. Your decision. Our business. 12
Retirement Planning Statistics show that life expectancy is increasing and you could be in Retirement for many years. We can help you plan for a more comfortable retirement, if you don’t want to rely on state pension. We work with all pension providers and are able to match their products to your retirement plan giving consideration to : • • • •
Your age now Your planned retirement age Your Attitude to Risk Your existing arrangements
We will analyse your existing pension savings to help you plan for your upcoming retirement years. We will also advise you at retirement on the many various options open to you.
Are your retirement savings enough? 13
How We Get Paid Protection Products For advising and administering protection products we are remunerated directly from the product providers. The amount we receive will be disclosed at the point of sale. Mortgages We normally receive a commission payment from the lender for advising and administering mortgages . We may also charge an additional administration fee which is usually in the region of £250. This amount would depend on the commission received from the mortgage provider and whether any other protection business has been conducted. Alternatively, you may choose to pay us a fee and receive a refund of the commission we receive. If you choose to do this, the fee you pay us will be 0.5% of the mortgage loan amount, subject to a minimum of £500. Equity Release Mortgages We charge an initial assessment fee of £250. Upon completion a further fee of £500 for advising and administering Equity Release Mortgages. In most circumstances we will also receive a fee directly from the lender. Investments and Pensions We will provide a full financial review as part of your free initial meeting leading to one of our two distinct levels of service. Service Level 1 – Includes recommendation and set up of plans. Service Level 2 – Includes recommendation, set up of plans and reviews. 14
Service agreement
Dated ..................................................................................
Between Premier Plus Ltd of Fenice Court, Phoenix Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8EP And Client Name:..........................................................................................................................
Address: ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. Additional Comments ............................................................................................................ .............................................................................................................................................. This should be read in conjunction with the Terms of Business Letter.
Obligations We will require you to provide up to date and accurate information of your personal circumstances and financial planning objectives. We will then make our recommendations to you. Our recommendations will be made on the basis of the information provided by you, the objectives stated by you and your attitude to risk. All the information given to us, and the recommendations and advice provided by us will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone, except as we agree in writing, or to whom we have a regulatory obligation. You may, however, request that a copy of your details is made available to you. When you receive your report, it will be your decision alone to implement the recommendation. In order that there may be no future misunderstanding, it is for our financial planning services that you will pay a fee under this agreement.
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Service levels Initial meetings at our offices during working hours Initial meetings at your home or workplace at a time to suit you Full financial analysis Analysis and suitability report Presentation and completion meeting Policy document delivery Access to Premier Plus administration team Adviser access during office hours Annual valuation Dedicated administrator Review meetings at your choice of venue and out of working hours Adviser access out of hours (mobile) Annual review Asset allocation review Attitude to risk review Portfolio review
Level 1
Level 2
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Service Level 1 Initial fee agreed 4.5% (Cash equivalent £..............................................)
Service Level 2 Initial fee agreed 3% (Cash equivalent £.................................................)
Annual fee agreed (paid monthly) 0.5% (Cash equivalent £ ............................................)
Please note that any additional review or services will be charged based on our hourly rates*. Confirmation This is our standard client agreement upon which we intend to rely. For your own benefit and protection you should read these terms carefully before signing them. Please sign both copies of this letter, and return one copy to us. If you do not understand any point please do not hesitate to ask for further information. Full name: .................................................... (for and on behalf of Premier Plus)
Full name: .................................................... (Customer 1)
Signature:......................................................
Signature:...................................................... Full name: .................................................... (Customer 2) Signature:......................................................
16 * For hourly rates please see our terms of business
Service agreement
Dated ..................................................................................
Between Premier Plus Ltd of Fenice Court, Phoenix Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8EP And Client Name:..........................................................................................................................
Address: ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. Additional Comments ............................................................................................................ .............................................................................................................................................. This should be read in conjunction with the Terms of Business Letter.
Obligations We will require you to provide up to date and accurate information of your personal circumstances and financial planning objectives. We will then make our recommendations to you. Our recommendations will be made on the basis of the information provided by you, the objectives stated by you and your attitude to risk. All the information given to us, and the recommendations and advice provided by us to you will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone, except as we agree in writing, or to whom we have a regulatory obligation. You may, however, request that a copy of your details is made available to you. When you receive your report, it will be your decision alone to implement the recommendation. In order that there may be no future misunderstanding, it is for our financial planning services that you will pay a fee under this agreement.

17
Service levels Initial meetings at our offices during working hours Initial meetings at your home or workplace at a time to suit you Full financial analysis Analysis and suitability report Presentation and completion meeting Policy document delivery Access to Premier Plus administration team Adviser access during office hours Annual valuation Dedicated administrator Review meetings at your choice of venue and out of working hours Adviser access out of hours (mobile) Annual review Asset allocation review Attitude to risk review Portfolio review
Level 1
Level 2
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Service Level 1 Initial fee agreed 4.5% (Cash equivalent £..............................................)
Service Level 2 Initial fee agreed 3% (Cash equivalent £.................................................)
Annual fee agreed (paid monthly) 0.5% (Cash equivalent £ ............................................)
Please note that any additional review or services will be charged based on our hourly rates*. Confirmation This is our standard client agreement upon which we intend to rely. For your own benefit and protection you should read these terms carefully before signing them. Please sign both copies of this letter, and return one copy to us. If you do not understand any point please do not hesitate to ask for further information. Full name: .................................................... (for and on behalf of Premier Plus)
Full name: .................................................... (Customer 1)
Signature:......................................................
Signature:...................................................... Full name: .................................................... (Customer 2) Signature:......................................................
18 * For hourly rates please see our terms of business
Financial planning, throughout life Premier Plus Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. FSA No 228969. The guidance and/or advice contained in this brochure is subject to UK regulatory regime and is therefore restricted to consumers based in the UK. Copyright Š 2011 Premier Plus - Independant Financial Advisers. All Rights Reserved. Telephone 01480 477774. Company Reg: 3493201 England. Reg. Office: White Leather Lodge Barn, Woolley Road, Spaldwick, Huntingdon PE28 0UD.
Fenice Court, Phoenix Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 8EP Email: enquiries@premierplusltd.co.uk Web: www.premierplusltd.co.uk Call 01480 477774 for initial free consultation