Many people would not have lost money by investing in inappropriate products, such as property syndications, and so-called investments that turned out to be outright scams if their financial advisers had performed a proper due diligence on the products and companies that provided them. The Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and the principles of Treating Customers Fairly oblige financial advisers to apply their minds when assessing a product before recommending that you invest in it. Personal Finance explains what you should expect your financial adviser to do when performing a due diligence on a product or company.
Also in our weekend print edition:
* Medical schemes announce increases for 2016.
* FSB rethinking the definition of an independent financial adviser.
* Financial experts answer your questions.
Personal Finance is published every Saturday in the Pretoria News Weekend, the Saturday Star, The Independent on Saturday and the Weekend Argus.