Wills & Trusts IFP Ltd purpose is to help our clients understand, protect and increase their assets. To achieve this, we must continue to be (and be seen to be) a well managed, financially strong organisation which treats its customers fairly through meeting their needs both in the short and long term. Here we outline Wills & Trusts IFP Ltd policy on Treating Customers Fairly.

When our regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) refers to Treating Customers Fairly, it is focusing on the "end customer", therefore our private clients and our customers.

People have different views on what is "fair" and this can change with circumstances. It will also change over time - and where appropriate, we may treat some groups or future generations of clients differently from those who purchased our services from us in the past. We have agreed on a set of principles for all of us to follow but with flexibility. This is very much in line with the FSA's approach. Rather than specifying detailed rules, they too have set out some high level principles supported by guidance and case studies demonstrating good practice.

We will ensure that fair treatment of our clients is at the core of the way in which we run our business. We will do this by:

1. Developing and promoting propositions and services which meet the needs of our clients
   
   
2. Giving independent financial advice and acting on the client's behalf at all times
   
   
3. Providing our clients with clear, timely information and good service throughout our relationship with them
   
   
4. Recognising that frequently both we and product providers have a shared relationship with clients
   
   
5. Continually measuring and reviewing our performance

Putting it simply, treating clients fairly means, treating customer as we wish to be treated. We believe that the only way to treat customers fairly is to make sure you know exactly what you will get for your money. It means telling all the costs as well as all the pro’s and con’s of something before you decide to take action so that you are in full possession of the information that you need to make a sensible decision.

This means that you will always know our fees, and any other fees involved before any action is take.

It also means that we do not receive any commission, incentive or payment from any provider. How many times have you found out what an adviser got paid for putting something in place for you, and though that he was getting a better deal than you! We genuinely believe that you can never be totally impartial or independent if you receive any form of commission.