Almary Green. Growing Prosperity... Independent Financial Advisers. Client Almary Green Logo development. farrows

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1 P E R S O N A L > C O R P O R A T E > P A R T N E R S H I P S Almary Green Independent Financial Advisers farrows Client Almary Green Logo development Growing Prosperity...

2 Creating Wealth & Protecting Your Interests At Almary Green, we believe that your financial security needs to be nurtured and protected. You ve worked hard to build your wealth whether it s your personal or business wealth, but there are always demands upon it and many threats to face. We believe it s our job to stand by your side in good times and bad to ensure that your prosperity is allowed to grow safely and strongly, to provide for your needs and those who depend upon you. Our strength lies in being truly independent, with access to products from the whole of the financial services market. Our philosophy is to develop strong lasting relationships with our clients. We stand by our reputation for professionalism and our success has been built on the trust and confidence of our clients, most of whom have been with us for many years. As a Chartered firm, we take our status very seriously. We ensure the advice, service, and ongoing support we provide is of the highest quality, based on the client s researched needs and provided by someone operating within their level of competency. 1

3 Who Are We? What s in a Name..? Almary Green is a small lawn in the Cathedral Close in Norwich, and it was in an office overlooking this lawn that the future directors of the newly conceived company sat discussing potential names. The company spent its first 4 years in premises facing Almary Green, before moving to the new open plan building on Meridian Business Park in Created in April 2001, Almary Green has grown steadily year on year and we now have over 400,000,000 of client funds under advice. We are a firm of award winning independent financial advisers, directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We have advisers based in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, supporting both businesses and individuals throughout East Anglia and beyond. Our main office is in one of Norwich s premier business districts, Meridian Business Park. Green by name, we work hard to be green by nature, by using technology to run a paperless office and to enable our advisers to work remotely keeping their annual mileage to a minimum. Our advisers are not paid according to sales targets, and we offer a choice of payment either by a Client Agreed Adviser Charge, which involves a payment from a product, or by pure fees, or a combination of both. This means that our advice is truly impartial and that you will never receive a bill that you are not expecting. All our advisers are fully qualified and are supported by a strong back-office team of paraplanners and administrators. Knowledge and skills are constantly refreshed through regular product and regulatory updates. Staff at all levels are given both the time and encouragement to study for further professional qualifications. The advisers have their own areas of expertise and, working as a team, we tap into each other s knowledge where needed to ensure that the advice you receive is fully tailored to your specific circumstances. Since the business began in 2001, we have retained the majority of all the personal clients who engaged us. 2 3

4 What Do We Do? What Do We Do? We will advise you on every aspect of your financial well-being. Our aim is to highlight the range of products and services that are available to you, either as an individual or a business owner to build your prosperity and enhance your financial security. Key Elements of our Service Reviewing your existing financial position and analysing your needs Holistic financial advice including cash flow analysis Tax and Estate Planning Advice regarding and implementation of Pension Sharing Orders Care fee planning Saving and deposit advice Corporate financial planning advice Holistic planning on divorce/ dissolution/ separation Pension products from the whole of the market Investment products from the whole of the market Non-investment/protection products from a range of insurers Financial Planning for Individuals Financial planning for you as an individual is all about making sure that the wealth you have created is not eroded by life s challenges. Our aim is to minimise the tax paid by you in your lifetime and by your heirs when you die. It s about making sure you have enough in the pot to meet your needs now and in later life. Our goal is to maximise the value of your assets to give you the flexibility to make life s decisions in the future and to help you react to changes in legislation. In practical terms, we will analyse your needs and show you how to achieve maximum growth within the agreed risk parameters. Managing your investments is critical - we will ensure that you take advantage of tax-efficient investments and will explore a number of options for protecting your investments against market fluctuations. Retirement should be a time to take a step back and enjoy life. We will help you plan ahead to ensure that your pension arrangements will achieve your desired lifestyle. Pension legislation is constantly changing, therefore we will review your plans regularly to make sure they stay on track. If your circumstances change in later life, we can help with regulated Equity Release arrangements and Care Fee Planning. We will look at your liability to income tax during your working life and plan for minimising Inheritance Tax. We will help you protect your income and assets for the future for both you and your family. Achieving Business Growth We work closely with business owners and directors to ensure that the financial arrangements they have set in place are still delivering both in terms of investment return and flexibility. Business growth is not just about increasing business activity and making greater profits, it s also about maximising the investments you make with those profits and securing the successful continuity of the business. You have a responsibility to provide the right employment structure for your staff in terms of pension arrangements and benefit schemes, to ensure that you retain them and maximise your investment in them. Our group scheme experts will help you find the right solutions for your business from the wide range of pension, life assurance and healthcare arrangements available for your staff. Pension legislation now means that every employer must run an approved workplace pension scheme and automatically enrol stall into it: we will help you plan your pay and benefit strategies to both finance and deliver the right schemes for your business. We will tailor your staff schemes to meet your needs and budget, with a range of support and advice services available to you as an employer and to individual staff members if required. Directors have long pondered the question of how best to achieve their personal remuneration aspirations, by balancing salaries and dividends to maximum effect. We will advise on the tax implications of a range of pay strategies. Directors pension needs are not forgotten either our Self-Invested Pension specialists will advise on the opportunities offered by taking greater control of your pension investments. Preparing for the unforeseen is an integral part of business planning. A number of insurance products exist to help protect the business from the temporary or permanent loss of key individuals such as directors, partners, shareholders and business-critical staff. We will help you identify where your risk is greatest, and will advise on what products will best protect you from that risk. When it is time for the business to pass into new hands, we can help with exit strategies and succession planning to ensure that the transition is properly managed to safeguard everyone s interests. 4 5

5 What Can You Expect From Us? Whether you are a new client or someone who has benefited from our advice for years, we will ensure you know exactly what service you can expect from us. Our processes are clearly defined with you in mind and our services tailored to suit your specific requirements. First Steps Graham & Hazel Williams, Personal Clients since 2001 When you first make contact with us, we understand that you need time to make decisions. We will spend up to one hour with you (either face-to-face or by telephone) without charging a fee; we will use this time to discuss your circumstances to establish if we can be of assistance. We will talk you through our Client Agreement so that you understand every aspect of the proposed relationship with us. Once you are happy to engage us to advise, we will work with you to carry out a full analysis of your current financial position, taking into account your future needs and objectives. This will involve asking detailed questions as well as obtaining information from your existing product providers, where this is relevant. We will create a financial summary of this information and agree objectives with you prior to moving forward. A key part of this analysis will be your understanding and attitude to risk (ATR). This information is a critical factor in determining suitable solutions for you. We will put together a set of recommendations based on our analysis, supported by illustrations and factsheets showing the key features of the proposed solutions. We will talk you through both the recommendations and the supporting documentation to ensure you fully understand everything we are proposing. When you are confident that you understand and are happy with our proposals, we will assist you in the completion of the necessary paperwork and work with the proposed product providers to ensure your wishes are followed through both accurately and in an acceptable timescale. We will maintain a record of everything we do on your behalf, for your security. 6 7

6 What Can You Expect From Us? Moving Forward We recommend that you review your financial arrangements on a regular basis to ensure that they still meet your needs and objectives, as these may change over time. To meet this need, we offer a choice of ongoing service propositions for you to select according to your requirements. You will see that the service level you select will not impact on the way we advise you regarding any new business transactions, but it does however impact on the frequency of your reviews and how we provide ongoing advice. Transactional Service This level does not include a review, valuation, or any additional services and is aimed at those who wish to use us on a pay as you go basis. The Client Agreement Our Client Agreement, which we will ask you to sign when you engage us to provide advice, is an important document and forms our contract with you. It gives a detailed breakdown of the service you can expect from us and the fees we will charge for providing that service. Premium Service This is our top level of service aimed at those clients with over 500,000 invested, with both reviews and valuations provided half yearly. Reviews can either be completed over the phone, in writing, or in person at a face to face meeting. The valuation will provide a complete summary of the investments and arrangements that you have asked us to look after for you. Classic Service Aimed at those with over 100,000 invested, this service level ensures that you will receive both a review and a valuation each year. Cumulative Service This service offers the ideal opportunity for clients with less than 100,000 invested through us to keep track of their investments and ensure that reviews are carried out from time to time, without the need to pay charges disproportionate to the amount invested. We will provide you with a valuation and a review once your account has accumulated a minimum amount. Alternatively, you can pay the difference between your account and the minimum charge to receive a review at any time. Key Elements of Ongoing Service Valuations provide a complete summary of your investments and arrangements including the amounts you invested, your fund holdings, current values and any amounts you have withdrawn. Reviews can either be completed in writing or in person at a face-to-face meeting. The review will include consideration of the portfolio performance, the asset allocation of your investments and take into account any changes to your circumstances or objectives. Communication by (where agreed) or by post on a regular basis with Newsletters and details of appropriate seminars or workshops. Will, Izzy & Clara Farrow, Personal Clients since

7 What More Can We Do? Divorce and Separation We can provide a full holistic financial planning service for couples, or for individuals going through divorce or separation. The performance of your investment portfolio including your pension arrangements will be one of the most important aspects of our advice to you. However, there are a number of other areas where financial planning can make a fundamental difference to your life and well-being. We have a number of advisers who hold the prestigious Resolution Accreditation enabling them to give expert advice on pensions and divorce, cashflow calculations including capitalisation of maintenance, mortgage capability, and maintenance protection. We work closely with solicitors to help achieve reasonable and acceptable financial settlements and advise newly divorced individuals on suitable reinvestment options. Equity Release Our specialist Later Life advisers can help explore this option for those cases where Equity Release is appropriate. We will only recommend products that follow the Equity Release Council Code of Conduct and will work closely with all parties involved to ensure that any arrangement recommended is fully understood by everyone and meets the whole family s needs in terms of finance and security. Financial Protection When we assess your family s financial situation, we will also discuss with you the impact of threats to your financial security such as redundancy, ill health and even death. We will help you arrange suitable protection through appropriate insurance products and ensure that any benefits are maximised for example with the use of trusts. Estate Planning The mitigation of potential Inheritance Tax bills plays an important part in many people s financial plans. We will advise on suitable measures you can take. This can involve the use of a number of strategies, including lifetime giving and the setting up of trusts. Retirement Planning Planning for a secure and comfortable retirement will be at the forefront of many financial reviews. Our pension experts will help you work out what you need to save now for your retirement and advise on the pension products and methods that are most appropriate for you, including self-invested pensions for the more pro-active investor. At the point of taking your retirement benefits, we will advise on the options available. Since April 2015, withdrawing funds from your pension savings has become much more flexible, but careful planning is needed to ensure that your fund can provide for your needs throughout retirement. We will provide you with advice to ensure that your chosen route gives you the flexibility and security to meet your needs. Important Factors Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of buy-to-let mortgages, commercial loans and commercial mortgages. Overseas mortgages can be affected by changes in the currency exchange rate and the Sterling equivalent of your debt can increase as a result. Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan. To understand the features and associated risks, please ask us for a personalised illustration

8 What More Can We Do? Working With Other Professionals Care Fee Planning It is clear that an increasing number of us will need care provision at some stage. It is estimated that over 30% of people over the age of 80 will need some form of care. Funding care, whether in one s own home or in a Care Home, is likely to put serious strain on family finances. We have advisers who are specialists in this field. They are accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) and have an in-depth knowledge of the entitlements and options available to those needing care. We can, where appropriate, arrange Immediate Care Plans. These special top-up annuities can be purchased for a fixed one-off purchase cost and will provide supplementary income to fund care for life, thus preserving the remaining family assets for the next generation. Lifetime Cashflow Forecasting How often have you wondered if there will come a time when your money will run out? We offer the chance to look into the future and see what it might hold. A Lifetime Cashflow Forecast is a detailed financial review that takes into account the events that will impact on your wealth during your lifetime such as retirement, down-sizing or policies maturing. We look at your income forecast and project your spending as the years go by. We can then build in what if scenarios such as you or a partner needing care or dying early. As we project down the years we can tell you if and when your wealth will fall short of your needs and highlight other financial planning issues such as potential Inheritance Tax liability on your death. Through our partnerships programme, we have built strong links with other professional advisers. These are the people you may need to manage your home and business affairs, such as solicitors and accountants. These partnerships are based on mutual respect and confidence in the advice provided, together with a belief that we are giving clients the The Almary Green Touch... very best possible service through our combined expertise and professionalism. Several of our advisers have achieved Resolution Accreditation to allow them to assist in the valuation and separation of assets, including pension assets, in divorce cases. At Almary Green we will always put your interests first. We want to keep you as a client for many years to come! To this end we will: Ben Burgess, Corporate Pension Client since Provide the best possible advice to enable you to make informed decisions about maintaining and enhancing your financial position. Understand your attitude to risk and reflect this in the advice given. Offer products from the entire range of financial service providers, based on the suitability of the arrangement, irrespective of the fee earning potential for the company. Facilitate the purchase of products that enable you to meet the aims agreed with your adviser Provide a means to regularly review the performance of the investments adopted by you, and to advise where changes may be necessary. Work closely with other professional advisers to enable the adoption of cohesive strategies in respect of your overall wealth management. Ensure all members of our team are kept up to date with changes in relevant legislation and product offerings. Maintain high standards of professionalism and strict compliance with industry regulator requirements

9 Our Fees and Other Charges Our fee structures are covered in detail in our Service and Fee Guide and we will always talk you through this document before undertaking any investigation or analysis on your behalf. The charge we make will depend on two factors: 1 Whether or not the work relates to new business New Work We charge our initial fee based on a percentage of the amount invested, where there is no investment it will be based on the complexity of the work undertaken. When undertaking new work on your behalf, we offer a choice in the way that you pay our fees. Further details and specific rates can be found in our Service and Fee Guide but in summary: Direct to us This can be by cheque or direct bank transfer. If you choose this method we will send you an invoice when the fee is due and will request that you settle this within 28 days. Whether or not you are covered by one 2 of our ongoing service propositions Ongoing Reviews Premium, Classic and Cumulative Service Propositions The annual charges for our Ongoing Service Propositions are based on a percentage of your investment portfolio, subject to a minimum charge. For further details please see our Service and Fee Guide. Reviews Not Covered by a Service Proposition If we carry out reviews on a Transactional basis (i.e. if you haven t adopted a Service Proposition) we will charge a fee based on the work involved. Deduction from your Financial Product With your agreement we can arrange for your fee to be settled by deduction from a financial product such as a pension or investment. The fee amount is agreed between you and your adviser prior to the transaction taking place, and your written authority is obtained to authorise the deduction. This method of payment will, of course, reduce the amount invested in line with the fee charged. Armultra, Corporate Client since

10 What Should You Do Next? Contact us to arrange a free initial consultation during which we will identify where and how our advice can make that all important difference. Our head office is located in Norwich. Our advisers are based in and around Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and are happy to travel further afield to assist their clients. Contact Details Head Office: Almary Green Investments Ltd, Greenfields House, 10 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich NR7 0TA Tel: Fax: enquiries@almarygreen.com Central Norwich Office: 7 The Close, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 4DJ Tel: Lowestoft Office: 52 Alexandra Road, Lowestoft NR32 1PJ Tel: Wisbech Office: Old Market, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1NE Tel: Financial Health Checklist Not sure if we can help? Use our Financial Health Checklist to work out the areas where you might benefit from our help. Best Tax and Long-Term Savings Adviser Adviser Awards winner Best Tax & Long-Term Savings Adviser Adviser Awards winner Best RDR Business Transition You: I ve set up pension savings to meet my retirement needs I ve reviewed my pension arrangements within the last 2 years My retirement income choices are clear to me I ve made a will and its content is still valid I ve looked at my Inheritance Tax liability and set up the necessary trusts, gifts or insurance policies to mitigate it where possible I ve made maximum use of tax-free investments this year My life and other family members lives are covered by Life Assurance I ve taken out the necessary policies and plans to maintain our family income in the event of illness My investment portfolio has been reviewed this year I have the right level of control over my investments My mortgage rate is a good one and I know what the market can offer if I change it Your Business: I have a qualifying workplace pension scheme in place and am happy with it The pay and pension strategy used for me and my fellow directors/owners works for both us as individuals and the business My business profits are protected against the loss of key personnel I am able to source finance for my business when I need it My profits are invested effectively If you ve not ticked every box, we can help! Winner of the Professional Adviser Awards Adviser Firm of the Year 2015, Charity Champion 2013, nominated for Best Small Adviser Firm 2013, Investment Adviser of the Year 2013 and Retirement Adviser of the Year Winner Retirement Planner Awards 2015 and Winner Money Marketing Awards Best Tax and Long Term Savings Adviser 2015 and 2013 and Best RDR Business Transition 2013 and Bronze finalist in Best Tax and Long Term Savings and Best Professional Development Awards Winner Financial Adviser Awards Group Pensions Adviser of the Year Winner Moneyfacts Best Tax and Estate Planning Solution Provider Winner of the Gold Standard for Independent Financial Advice in 2012, 2013 and 2014 Almary Green Investments Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration Number The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate overseas mortgages, unregulated collective investment schemes, taxation and trust advice, national savings, overseas shares and foreign savings. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments on your mortgage. To understand the features and risks of Equity Release, Lifetime Mortgages, or Home Reversion Plans, you should ask for a personalised illustration. 16

11 P E R S O N A L > C O R P O R A T E > P A R T N E R S H I P S Almary Green Independent Financial Advisers farrows Client Almary Green Logo development...with Almary Green