The Lang Cat has launched a free-to-download investment guide aimed at direct investors of all levels of experience.
The investment platform consultancy hopes to cut through jargon and provide useful analysis for those investors considering which platform to use.
The guide suggests four things investors need to know about themselves before starting, gives seven dimensions to measure platforms against and hands out awards for those providers who are excelling for particular types of investors.
Mark Polson, principal at the firm, said that as far as he knew, this was the first free direct investment guide of its kind.
He said: “Advisers have access to all kinds of analysis and useful information on investment platform providers – we reckon direct investors should have the same kind of resources available to them, and should understand the complexities involved in picking the right service.
“Post-RDR, we know that the way people interact with financial services is changing – and direct platforms play a part in that. We make the point in the guide that an investor might be part direct, part advised, and that there is no substitute for professional advice.
“We think advisers might also like to have a read – not only is this a useful (and free) guide to the direct platforms market, we have also seen some really good innovation from the direct sector, which we expect to read across to the advised sector in time.”
