Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 July 2007

Argent Selects Partner for its Discretionary Management Service

Argent Personal Finance Managers Limited (Argent) has for many years built its reputation as a top quality financial advisory firm based on traditional values of personal and professional service, backed up by the latest technology. It is no surprise therefore that there should be a mutual attraction between Argent and Raymond James Investment Services Limited (RJIS) – and comes at a time when Argent has just completed a significant change to its service structure by obtaining FSA approval as a fully fledged Discretionary Fund Manager.

RJIS offers Argent the opportunity to deliver a complete and integrated wealth management solution whilst allowing them to maintain their highly valued independence. Already a number of Argent’s clients are benefiting from this new service.

RJIS is the UK private client investment management arm of Raymond James Financial Inc (RJF), a US based financial services company. Established in 1962, RJF has 1.6 million client accounts representing total client assets of $200bn. RJIS has been trading in the UK since 2001 and already has 39 affiliated offices representing over £1B in private client assets.

The RJIS facility is now available to Argent and its discretionary clients and provides the following advantages:

  • Dealing is a safe, secure environment
  • Economies of scale, leading to more competitive dealing costs
  • Online access so investments are visible to clients and valuations completely up to date
  • Access to a wider range of investments

“Against the current background of increasing costs and reducing services, Argent has always looked for ways in which costs can be contained but services improved, “notes Simon Callaghan, Argent Joint Managing Director. “Whilst it has not proved possible to continue to offer our services at its present price levels, the added value Argent has demonstrated through RJIS using its Gold Service Standard is proving to increasing numbers of clients that quality can be afforded very competitively.”

For further information, please contact:

Simon Callaghan, Joint Managing Director,
Argent Personal Finance Managers Ltd
Tel 0207 956 2120 or sgc@argent.co.uk

Cynthia Poole, Director of Relationship Management and Business Support
Raymond James Investment Services
Tel 020 7096 6751 or Cynthia.Poole@RaymondJames.com

Notes to editors

Online information
http://www.argent.co.uk/personal_finance/how_we_work/
http://rjis.co.uk/home.htm
http://www.adviserchoice.co.uk/

About Raymond James Investment Services Limited (RJIS)
RJIS is the UK private client investment management arm of Raymond James Financial, Inc., a US based diversified financial services company. The firm commenced operation in 2001 and has 39 affiliated offices across the UK. RJIS offers private client investment managers and advisers a platform of choice, providing alternative methods of affiliation through three business models: Independent Contracting, Professional Partners and the Wrap Platform. Its goal is to provide investment professionals in the UK with the freedom to deliver to clients a complete integrated wealth management solution whilst retaining their independence. RJIS is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

About Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF)
Established in 1962, Raymond James Financial has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1983 and has a current market capitalization of approximately $3.7B. RJF offers a comprehensive range of wealth management products and services to 1.6 million client accounts, representing total client assets of over $200 billion. RJF currently has 4650 advisers located in 2,200 office locations throughout the US, Canada, the UK and elsewhere overseas.

Argent Personal Finance Managers Limited (Argent)
Based in the City of London for the last 25 years, Argent offers specialist advice to clients who wish to maximise their wealth. Wholly owned and managed by its five directors, Argent greatly values its independence and its success to date has been achieved by recognising client needs and providing a service driven approach.

Argent Personal Finance Managers Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.