28 November 2012

Deloitte: Third of consumers to opt for DIY financial planning to avoid paying fees for advice

Research from Deloitte, the business advisory firm, highlights how the implementation of the Retail Distribution Review will lead to an increase in DIY financial planning among consumers.

A survey of more than 2,000 UK adults conducted for Deloitte by YouGov shows:

• A third of consumers (32 per cent) are likely to do their own financial planning, and product research to avoid paying fees for advice;
• More than a quarter (27 per cent) would go direct to the product provider having made their own product choices;
• However, fewer than one third (31 per cent) of consumers are confident they have enough knowledge to choose the right financial products.

Andrew Power, lead RDR partner at Deloitte, said:

“About a third of consumers will start doing their own financial planning and research rather than pay the adviser charges that will apply from December 2012. This poses a big challenge for banks, insurers and fund managers and they will have to rethink how they deal directly with consumers. Over the next five years, UK-based providers will have to develop and introduce direct-to-consumer business models.

“Large numbers of consumers are not confident they have enough knowledge to make the right financial decisions and so any direct-to-consumer business model must be kept simple and low-cost. There is a risk that consumers who do their own research may not buy the right products – keeping longer term savings in cash, or making investments that are too risky, for example. Providers will need to develop websites that provide accessible guidance and financial education.”

James O’Riordan, lead insurance partner at Deloitte, said:

“Consumers will change their buying behaviour following these regulatory changes and product providers will have to use improved segmentation strategies to understand how to reach them. Affluent consumers may be highly sensitive to direct charges, but, with their large sums at stake, still take advice despite the new fees.”

Deloitte’s findings are highlighted in the report ‘Bridging the advice gap’.

Press release

© Deloitte LLP