The report showed two thirds (66%) searched for advice on a specific product area rather than searching by just postcode. This figure has increased from 60% in November 2008
Overall, almost 25,000 consumer requested details of local independent financial advisers in November.
Retirement planning and investment and savings were the top triggers for seeking advice. Mortgages made up the third most popular search at 10% of all enquiries.
Over a third (37%) of searches through the ‘find an IFA’ service was for advice on personal retirement planning, up from 28% in the same period last year. The second most popular search was for advice on investments and savings with 28% of searches.
Karen Barrett, chief executive of Unbiased, said the latest report demonstrated that consumers are continuing to seek advice to help plan their finances in uncertain economic times.
She added: “Consumers are also increasingly seeing the value of specialist advice as growing numbers are searching for IFAs who specialise in a certain product area.”
