MBL Financial has become the first Isle of Man firm to become a member of FEIFA, the Federation of European Independent Financial Advisors. FEIFA is a trade association that exists for the benefit of consumers and its members who are Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs). It provides a strong voice for the IFA community across Europe and beyond representing the sector with financial institutions and, where relevant, with governments and regulatory bodies. Simon Pickering, Joint Managing Director of MBL Financial, said the company had worked hard to achieve FEIFA membership, but added that it would bring many benefits. He said: “FEIFA provides a respected, independent, endorsement of selected IFAs. Membership of FEIFA is not available to all IFA companies, only members that are able to comply with a rigorous vetting and due diligence procedure are allowed to join. I attended the International Adviser forum in London recently, which was sponsored by FEIFA, and was attended by around 30 internationally advising IFAs. Those that I spoke to were very interested in the Isle of Man from a geographical and regulatory perspective.” FEIFA provides consumers with an independent assessment of the regulatory and legal status of its member companies and provides a service to IFAs by helping to establish a favourable operating environment, a forum for discussion, and by distributing considerable industry and technical information to assist them in their businesses. Consumers also benefit by dealing with businesses which are approved by FEIFA as membership of the organisation shows that a company has proven itself to be appropriately regulated and legally structured. The FEIFA website - http://feifa.eu - includes a list of companies which are members so that consumers can check whether or not an IFA has been approved by the organisation. MBL Financial was created last month by the merger of Douglas-based firms MBL Financial Services and CFS Financial Consultants. The new business is based at 20 Finch Road in Douglas but also has an office in Parliament Street, Ramsey, to provide services for its clients in the north of the Island. The company’s financial expertise covers investments, retirement planning, life assurance, personal protection, mortgages and business assurances. - ENDS -