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”.



How accurate is the data your firm submits to the FCA?
Shirley McKenzie Compliance 2021, Conduct, FCA, PI
The FCA set out in its Business Plan 21/22 how it is changing to improve performance and meet future challenges. Read our previous article setting out a few of the key areas. Firms can learn from the progress to date on one of the key areas … The Early Oversight Function (EOF): stronger oversight […]