May 2025

Four in five clients see financial advice as ‘value for money’

People with a financial adviser are more optimistic about their financial future. That’s one of the key findings of a recent Investor Confidence Barometer6. Four in five people (82%) said they get ‘value for money’ from their adviser, a 10% increase on 2023’s survey. Investors said they also feel more confident knowing their financial adviser is available in difficult times, with 96% of advised clients valuing accessibility as much as portfolio performance.

Advisers are more optimistic about the long-term performance of equities than investors, with this confidence rubbing off on their clients. Over five years, 89% of advisers expect markets to rise, compared to 63% of advised investors and 57% of those without advice. Over ten years, 91% of advisers are predicting market growth, versus 68% of advised and 57% of non-advised investors. Greater optimism among advised investors suggests financial advice and long-term planning builds confidence in their future wealth prospects.

Ross Easton, Head of Platform Proposition at Scottish Widows, said, “This survey emphasises the difference that advisers make for their clients, especially when it comes to guiding them through times of market volatility. Our Barometer has consistently found that advised clients are more confident than non-advised investors, setting them up to benefit from market corrections and recoveries when others are more cautious.”

6Scottish Widows, 2025