Client’s own words (COWs).
This is a powerful and effective way of personalising suitability reports. When you gather know your customer (KYC) information (see ‘K’ blog post) try to record some of the client requirements and objectives using their own words, so that you can repeat the quotes back to the client in the reports.
This provides the ultimate in personalisation and is a great way to cement recommendations.
If you can quote something like
“Both you and Beth want to use you maximum ISA allowance for the next 7 years (when you plan to retire Tom) for the purpose of supplementing your retirement income but also to buy that camper van you’ve always wanted and fulfil your dream of driving around Europe”.



Ongoing client reviews
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2020, Drawdown, FCA, PI, platform
Consumer Duty will require most firms to review their business model and, in particular the value of the services they offer. The regulator clearly has a focus on the ongoing service provided to clients. There are longstanding rules that require firms to: … consider whether the personal recommendation or any other related service is […]