About this guide

In this guide, we refer to those persons who are authorised to assist you with your investment requirements as 'investment services firms'. This includes insurance intermediaries who provide investment advice, financial advisers, investment dealers or brokers and portfolio managers. We have also included some tips on how to monitor your investments and handle any difficulties that might arise from time to time.

Types of investments

Before beginning to invest, you should know what products are available on the market. There are shares, bonds and collective investment schemes to mention just a few. Although these terms may already be familiar to you, it is important to understand the variety of investment products available in the market and which are best for you.

It is in your interest to become familiar with a few of the most common words and phrases, because it is in this way that you can protect yourself (you can find a glossary in this guide to help you with any investment terms and jargon you might be unfamiliar with). You should be able to feel comfortable when dealing with an investment services firm. If you have not understood fully what has been written or explained to you, do not hesitate to discuss this with the firm.

The information in this guide is intended as general information and may not be relied upon as investment advice, which can only be given by an authorised investment services firm based upon all relevant facts and circumstances of each particular situation. The GFSC cannot recommend investment services firms or tell you whether a particular investment is right for you.

The GFSC has endeavoured to ensure that all information in this guide is correct. However, no warranty, expressed or implied, is given as to its accuracy and the GFSC does not accept any liability for error or omission.

For the sake of simplicity, the guide refers to the provider or customer as "him" or "he". But this should be taken to refer to both genders.