Disclaimer: Our website and publications aim to give you general information to help you make financial decisions. It is not advice, nor can it take account of your own particular circumstances. For advice with a view to making decisions about your own circumstances you should consult a financial or other professional adviser.

© The Financial Services Authority.

Getting financial advice

When you're shopping around for a financial product, it's important to know who's offering what and what will suit your needs best. There are two ways of finding this out. You can:

  • gather information available from banks, building societies, adverts or online; or
  • get financial advice face-to-face from an adviser.

When you gather information it's 'off the shelf' and is the same for everyone – so your own money situation is not looked at.

Financial advice is when someone has studied your personal circumstances, and assesses and recommends financial products that are suitable for you.

Firms that give financial advice have to be regulated by us, or be the agent of a regulated firm. Regulated firms and their agents are placed on our Register and have to meet certain standards. Always make sure that the firm you use is on our Register and is allowed to give financial advice before handing over your money. If they aren’t regulated by us and things go wrong, you won't have access to complaints and compensation procedures. To find out if a firm is on our Register, see Check our Register.

We set standards for how firms should give you financial advice for most types of:

  • insurance
  • mortgages; and
  • investments – such as personal pensions.

Step 1: Take stock

Are you planning to take out a mortgage, start saving for a pension, or buy another financial product? Do you need financial advice to find out which product might suit you?

Go to step 1 >

Step 2: Take action

Find out where you can get advice and what service you can expect to get.

Go to step 2 >