08 October 2007
Building Society services expand into Independent Financial Advice
Saffron Building Society has launched a new service to advise customers with all their financial planning needs.
Saffron is calling on its more than 120 years of experience in financial services to launch an Independent Financial Advisor service.
There are an estimated 30,000 financial products on the market, from mortgages and savings, to investments and pensions, making it difficult for a customer to research the market and decide which product is best for them.
From left to right: Gill Lewis, Richard Barrett, David Mullen, Andy Golding, Russell Vaughan, Andy Johnston, Jon Hall
However, Saffron IFA is on hand, made up of two highly qualified IFAs, Russell Vaughan and David Mullen who will be available to customers throughout Saffron's branch network. Both demonstrate a high level of expertise and a specialised knowledge of financial products through their Chartered Insurance Institute qualifications.
IFAs can prove useful, whatever a person's age or income. For example, seeing an IFA when starting a first job can encourage a customer to start saving, when starting a family to consider insurance or when planning retirement to investigate tax and pensions. An IFA's role is to consult with a customer and discus their needs, financial goals, attitude to risk for investments and plans for the future to help them find the best range of products.
And because an IFA is independent, they can recommend products from across the entire market place, not just from one provider.
David Mullen said: "Saffron's existing strong branch network means that it will be easy for people to make appointments closer to home, as well as speaking to us face-to-face."
Russell Vaughan added: "We're delighted to be delivering this service through Saffron Building Society and look forward to helping customers make important financial decisions."
Andy Golding, Saffron Building Society chief executive, said: "Being able to offer our customers independent financial advice is a great step forward for us.
"IFAs must give full written explanations for the advice they are giving, so anyone using the IFA service can be assured that they are getting the best advice and being pointed towards the best products for their circumstances.
"Our IFAs have a full working knowledge of the current investment landscape, and are able to give sound advice on how your money could work harder.
"As a mutual building society, our customers always come first and it's great to be able to give them this extra independent service."
To see one of Saffron's IFAs, visit www.saffronifa.co.uk or call 0845 600 7432 and make an appointment to speak to an advisor. The advisors can meet you at local branches of Saffron Building Society or even visit you in your own home.
