What APCIMS members can offer

Direct access to the market - our members operate right at the heart of the investment industry.

Most are members of the London Stock Exchange which gives them direct and immediate access to the stock market for buying and selling shares. This applies wherever they are around the country. They are also bound by the Exchange's market rules and regulations which demand very high standards of professional conduct.

Our other members have formed strong links with member firms of the London Stock Exchange to ensure cost effective dealing arrangements.

Professionalism - as well as dealing for clients, an investment manager provides advice or skilled management for which demanding professional qualifications are required. The breadth and depth of investment experience and knowledge which APCIMS members offer their clients is considerable.

Tight regulation - the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is the Government's finance industry regulator. All APCIMS members are regulated by the FSA or, in the case of our overseas members, that country's corresponding regulatory authority. Members of these organisations are subject to demanding tests of their financial resources, are obliged to meet the most rigorous standards in terms of operating procedures and management controls, and only those individuals who are personally registered as being "fit and proper" are authorised to give investment advice.

These requirements mean that, as an investor, you are dealing with professional advisers of the highest quality, experience and integrity who are subject to the most thorough and effective supervisory control. In addition, clients of our UK authorised members are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme as well as carrying their own insurance in order to protect clients against theft, fraud and professional negligence.

Genuine independence - APCIMS members are truly independent, unlike many other financial advisers who may be tied to particular company and are, consequently, only able to advise on that company's investment products. The advice given by our members is completely impartial and their charges are explained to you in advance. For the most part, they are paid for their business by you the investing client and not, as with many other advisers, by a commission or fee from the company whose products they sell.

In short, the key to success is to receive high quality impartial advice from someone who is professionally qualified and whose knowledge of investment matters is not second-hand. This, coupled with the very strict regulatory framework in which our members operate, makes them the logical and sensible choice for so many investors.