Terms of Business

Terms of business

SFS Service Standard

Skipton Financial Services Limited (SFS) takes full responsibility for the advice provided by its advisers when recommending the products or services of those companies with whom we place your business. SFS values all client feedback on the service it provides. Should you have any comment to make please contact our Customer Services Team on 0800 085 1681.

We are registered by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to advise on, and transact business in, Life Assurance, Pensions, Unit Trusts, Individual Savings Accounts and Investment Trust Savings Schemes. We are not authorised to advise on or transact business relating to pension transfers or opt outs from occupational schemes.

How do we provide advice?

We will only provide advice after completing a Personal Financial Questionnaire (PFQ) and/or a Customer Advice Document (CAD) which you will be asked to sign to confirm the accuracy of all the information collected. Your signature on the PFQ and CAD will also confirm your acceptance of these Terms of Business, which will come into force at that point. Your financial objectives will be documented in the PFQ and your Personal Financial Planning Report.

We offer whole of market advice, but occasions could arise where we or one of our clients might have some form of interest in the business we are transacting for you. Should this happen, or we become aware that our interests or those of our other clients conflicts with your interests, we will write to you with details of the interest and obtain your consent before carrying out your instructions.

We maintain records of all our business transactions for at least six years from the date that the last piece of business was transacted. You have the right to inspect copies of our records, whether paper based or computerised, relating to your transactions. A small administration fee may be charged for this service.

While SFS intends to build a long term relationship with its clients, when we have arranged business for you as a result of our recommendation(s) we will not automatically review your investments or provide further advice. However, as part of our ongoing service to clients we are, of course, always available to review your financial affairs at any time you ask us to do so.

To avoid possible disputes, SFS normally requires instructions to act for our clients to be in writing. We may, however, accept verbal instructions at our discretion.

Administration

SFS does not handle client money and we are unable to accept cheques for business we transact on your behalf which are made out to us. All such cheques must be made payable to the appropriate Life Assurance or Pension Company, Unit Trust or Investment Trust Manager. We NEVER accept cash from our clients.

All the transactions you arrange through SFS will be registered in your name unless you instruct us otherwise.

Telephone calls to/from SFS may be recorded and/or monitored.

Your Rights

The agreement to which these Terms of Business relate maybe terminated, without penalty, at any time by either party giving written notice to the other party, which will be effective upon receipt of that notice. SFS will continue to process any transactions in progress unless instructed by the client not to do so.

Client Identification

SFS is required to verify the identity of all clients, trustees and beneficiaries. Client identification can be confirmed by either requesting documentary evidence from you or by conducting an electronic check.

We are sure that you will find the quality of advice and service that we provide will meet your expectations. We look forward to acting as your Financial Adviser.

Simon Holt ACII
Managing Director
Skipton Financial Services Limited

Reference throughout these Terms of Business to Skipton Financial Services Limited (SFS) also includes MIA (Medical Insurance Agency) which is a division of Skipton Financial Services Limited.