How to choose an independent wealth manager

BANKS, insurance companies, brokers, financial advisors and independent wealth managers - the list of people ready to offer investment advice is confusing and growing exponentially. With so much competition muddying the waters, how does the average investor know where to turn?

Interestingly there are trends - and Asian high net-worth investors are setting them. For example, three clear requirements are emerging - impartiality, one-stop shopping and transparency in terms of charges.

This means they are not only seeking demonstrably unbiased advice, they are also looking for a single point of contact on a range of investments and they are questioning fee structures.