Compliance First has launched a series of events to help advisers consider non-mainstream investing, business director Janice Laing has said.
She said: “We know that, since the implementation of RDR, the vast majority of our client firms have made the decision to remain independent, which means it is imperative that they are knowledgeable about products across the entire market.”
The events will provide technical overviews of product areas that are generally less familiar to advisers, such as exchange-traded funds, structured products, absolute return investing, investment trusts and how to use business property relief.
Ms Laing added that it can sometimes be difficult for advisers to access information on more esoteric product areas.
The compliance and business support services company’s events will also help advisers research these products and document and evidence their knowledge to ensure their ongoing independent status.
Adviser view
Alan Solomons, director of London-based Alpha Investments & Financial Planning, said: “It is a good idea, because you need to know what you will not be recommending to clients; the FCA says you need to know to remain independent. To some degree, I agree – you should know, since prospective clients might be excited about a product. So you need to have a vague idea about non-mainstream investment products.”
