FSA/PN/167/2001
12/12/2001

The third tranche of Comparative Tables went live online today, providing consumers with impartial, easy-to-understand information about savings endowments, mortgage endowments and investment bonds.

Launched two months ago, the watchdogs ground-breaking tables enable consumers to compare the features of financial products in a like-for-like way. Consumers can then draw up a shortlist of products to investigate further, either by consulting an authorised financial adviser or by speaking directly to the product provider.

Comparative tables are already available on Unit Trust ISAs and personal pensions, including stakeholder pensions. From today consumers will have useful facts at their fingertips on up to:

  • 37 savings endowments and 23 tax free savings endowments
  • 19 mortgage endowments
  • 76 investments bonds

Christine Farnish, Consumer Director at the FSA said:

Once consumers have decided on the type of financial product they want to buy and they may well need expert financial advice to arrive at that decision they should check if theres a table for it.

The tables are helping to improve the transparency and comparability of financial products, making it easier for consumers to be better informed and shop around for the best deal.

The FSA Comparative Tables can be found at www.fsa.gov.uk/tables. Further products will be added next year, with mortgages planned for summer 2002.

Notes for editors

  1. Only two significant providers have declined to participate in the tables: St Jamess Place and Skandia.

  2. The FSA publishes a Guide to Financial Advice for consumers which will help them know the right questions to ask and prepare effectively before consulting a financial adviser. It is available free of charge from the FSA Consumer Helpline on 0300 500 5000.

  3. The FSA Comparative Tables are updated on a daily basis by The Research Department. CMG Admiral provides the technical solutions.

  4. Information from the FSA Comparative Tables may be downloaded for printing or publishing purposes or into an Excel spreadsheet. However there are terms and conditions attached to doing so please check the website for details.

  5. The FSA regulates the financial services industry and has four objectives under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: maintaining market confidence; promoting public understanding of the financial system; the protection of consumers; and fighting financial crime.

  6. The FSA aims to maintain efficient, orderly and clean financial markets and help retail consumers achieve a fair deal.

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