Many potential investors ask questions at an initial meeting, these often relate to the cost of the service being provided not the value being delivered.
They will often query the number of employees that you have as a lot of investors prefer to invest with large companies as this gives them a feeling of security.
What is astonishing is the extent of their complacency with their portfolios and financial planning. It is easy to become overwhelmed with information and terms that are unfamiliar but that doesn’t mean that you have to flick the “off switch” simply give in and accept whatever your adviser is telling you, particularly if your portfolio is under-performing!
This often happens with large investment advisory companies, clients are attracted by the security of dealing with a large successful company, after a while though they tend to feel neglected. You can meet with a load of waffle, or worse someone may try and talk over your head.
Whatever your situation, ask yourself the following questions, and then ask your advisers the same questions.
How is my portfolio doing?
Compared to what?
Am I investing for growth or income, and why?
How do I achieve a sustainable income of sufficient to match my future lifestyle?
How do I maximise tax efficiency?
How to avoid encashing investment units when I make my regular monthly withdrawals?
Why haven’t you suggested a change of strategy as I am approaching retirement?
Am I truly getting a bespoke planning service?
Are we going to be OK?
You might also ask what Sharpe Ratio is ?
If your adviser does not know the answer to that one or any of the others, then head for the hills!
If in doubt – you can always seek a second opinion from a knowledgeable whole of market adviser!