Code Of Ethics - Cottons Financial Planning

Cottons Code Of Ethics

Cottons Financial Planning is committed to observing the highest standards of ethical behavior and as such expects its advisers to observe and abide by the following:-

To act honestly and fairly at all times when dealing with clients and to act in the best interests of each client and treat them fairly.
To act with integrity in fulfilling the responsibilities of your appointment and seek to avoid any acts, omissions or business practices which damage the reputation of Cottons and the financial services industry.
To observe applicable law, regulations and professional conduct standards when carrying out financial services activities.
To observe the standards of market integrity, good practice and conduct required or expected of participants in markets when engaging in any form of market dealings.
To only make recommendations that are suitable, appropriate and that puts the interests of the client first.
To attain and actively manage a level of professional competence appropriate to your responsibilities and commit to continued learning to ensure the currency of your knowledge, skills and expertise.
To decline any engagement for which you are not competent unless you have access to such advice and assistance as will enable you to carry out the work competently.
To uphold the highest personal and professional standards.

Complaints Procedure

What protection do I have?
Your adviser will always endeavour to ensure the products recommended are suitable for you. When the adviser is advising you on regulated products (including investments, insurance and some forms of mortgages) you have the protection of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

If you are unhappy about the advice or service you have received you should firstly contact the firm that provided the advice or service by writing to:

Client Liaison
St. James’s Place Wealth Management
1 Tetbury Road
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 1FP

Should you remain dissatisfied you will be entitled to refer your complaint to the FOS who will investigate the complaint independently and make a ruling. The FOS work with customers and financial advisers to resolve a complaint, and when they do have to make a ruling it is binding upon the firm. Full details of how to contact the FOS together with information about how to complain are available from their website – www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by telephoning 0800 023 4 567.

If you try to submit a complaint to a firm and the firm is dissolved, or unable to meet its obligations, you may have recourse to the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). This service is funded by levies on firms that are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to protect customers where firms have closed or gone into liquidation.