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”.



Financial Resilience Survey – General Insurance
Michael Senior Compliance FCA
The FCA Financial Resilience team has clarified the intention behind the data requested in their survey in relation to Question 2b. Question 2b, Please provide how much of your cash inflows advised in 2, is ‘contractually committed’. The online FAQ, gives the guidance … “We want to identify how much of your estimated cash inflow […]