Financial Services

Savings & investments

At a time when stock markets throughout the world have proven how volatile they can be, it could not be more important to ensure that appropriate investments are made.

We, at Hardcastle Burton, aim to provide a quality, impartial and personal, financial planning and advice service and as part of this service we aim to deal with our clients on a fair and open basis.

Clients are offered a full advisory service where all aspects of their financial affairs are reviewed and recommendations made to match their specific requirements. Progress of investments and savings plans will be monitored and reported on, on a regular basis and adjustments will be recommended when appropriate.

Usually an initial fee will be charged on a time spent basis together with an annual fee for ongoing reviews. It is difficult to give an idea of the total fee payable as each client’s needs and circumstances can vary greatly but we will try to give you an indication of fees in advance.

For clients who do not wish to pay a fee we will instead keep all commissions earned. The commission payable will be disclosed in full at the time of our recommendations.

We do recognise however that some clients only require advice in respect of a specific part of their investment portfolio, retirement planning or protection needs. i.e. a client would like an ISA recommendation. For these clients we offer a limited advice service. At Hardcastle Burton we advise on the full range of packaged investments and tailor the advice to a client’s particular attitude to risk, objectives and time scales.

The tax treatment of investments is always taken into consideration, but not to the extent that it becomes the major overriding factor. Investments should be appropriate to our clients and sit comfortably with them.

Pensions

The area of pensions has never been more complex and the need for planning never greater.

The choice of pension scheme can be bewildering: personal pensions, stakeholder, money purchase and final salary schemes. We can assist with scheme selection to help you meet your retirement pension targets.

For those who have already started saving for retirement, we can review your existing plans, estimate your potential final pension and assist with transfers where relevant. This also allows us to advise on funding requirements to provide the required pension.

Sophisticated investors may prefer to retain control over their pension through the option of a self-invested personal pension (SIPP), or a small self-administered scheme (SSAS). Again, we can advise on the investment mix, including property purchase, if required and deal with all aspects of set up.

On retirement we will help you select the right annuity, comparing rates from all providers, and guide you through the options available.

Life & health protection

There are now a whole range of insurances available to protect you and your family, should unforeseen events happen.

You can protect your income should you be absent from work long-term due to illness or injury, or a lump sum can be provided if you suffer a major illness or disease to help alleviate the upheaval this may cause to your lifestyle. We can assist you in setting the level of cover and surveying the insurance company market to obtain competitive quotations.

Life assurance is often needed in relation to a mortgage, to protect your family until children leave home, or to meet a potential inheritance tax liability. Again, we can advise on the level of cover needed and research the insurance company market to obtain the best rates.

Despite the improvements in the National Health Service, private medical insurance is still seen as a valuable benefit. We work closely with a number of private healthcare providers and can advise on the type of cover appropriate for you.

Later in life, there may be the need for nursing home or residential care. We have the expertise to advise you on funding for this in advance or at the time it is needed.