Pay your money, take your choice with financial advice

Yet, different firms have very different ideas of what clients want and, it must be noted, varying levels of success too.

Although much of the marketing stresses the pursuit of out-performance, in reality many retail clients will tolerate poor returns for a long time if they feel comfortable with their adviser.

The simplest method of trading is the "execution only" stockbroker, usually internet based, catering to people who think they know what they are doing.

Returns are up to the client, but data and news feeds are usually provided, for confidence-building purposes if nothing else.

This most basic wealth management service appears to have peaked in popularity in 2000 at the top of the technology boom, when one didn't need any help to succeed.

Read More - Opens in a new window