It can be seen that the RDR was a tipping point in the use of DFMs, as intermediaries face the challenges of maintaining the size and quality of their client base in a new environment. Indeed, there is greater recognition of the specialist skills that DFMs provide to intermediaries – acknowledging that a strong partnership with a DFM adds real value to the client relationship and enables them to focus more time on their clients.
Mark Stevens is head of intermediary services at Investec Wealth & Investment