Demand for financial advice ‘is not being met’  

Research for IFA network Openwork has revealed growing untapped demand for financial advice. The nationwide study found just 15% of adults saw a financial adviser regularly with men more than twice as likely to receive support with their finances compared with women. Around 23% of men said they saw an adviser compared with just 10% of women. However, the research found almost six out of 10 people questioned (56%) believed they would benefit from regular financial advice highlighting a huge source of untapped demand for the advice industry. Openwork says the research showed the future for the advice market looked “healthy”, with demand for support rising to 71% among under-35s showing how the market will keep expanding as people get older. Openwork believes the launch of pension freedoms was driving interest in advice. But it said the number of advisers, which have increased from 23,000 to around 26,000 in the most recent data from the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association (PIFMA), needs to grow rapidly to meet demand. The research found around 40% of consumers wished their employer would offer financial advice, underlining how keen people were to access support with their money. Around one in three adults (33%) admitted to not being confident with money matters and 40% worried that they do not know enough about money. Claire Limon, director of learning and acquisition at Openwork, said: “The financial services industry has seen increased demand year on year, not just from older people looking for help through retirement, but also from young people who are looking to improve their financial literacy. “More people across the UK recognise they need expert help to create and protect wealth for themselves and their families and want to have more control over their finances during uncertainty across the economy. “Openwork is committed to increasing adviser numbers as a major strategic priority, reflecting our desire to be a profitable and positive partner for financial advisers, ensuring they are well equipped to provide support to a growing number of people.” Openwork Limited has more than 3,900 financial advisers operating across the UK. It operates as a directly authorised, multi-panel distribution network.

Demand for financial advice ‘is not being met’

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