Business Details
28 Years
experience
Trusted Financial Advisers in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Plain Savings has been delivering straightforward financial advice since 1998, prioritising clarity and practical solutions for clients. Our team of experienced advisers specialises in mortgage planning, pension reviews, investment strategies, and equity release solutions, tailored to individual circumstances. We operate under a simple motto: providing jargon-free advice that focuses on long-term financial security. With decades of combined industry experience, our advisers hold relevant qualifications and maintain authorisation through the Financial Conduct Authority.We prioritise client education, ensuring clients understand their financial options while maintaining transparent fee structures. Our commitment to personalised service has earned recognition through positive client testimonials highlighting our approachability and expertise.
Services
Mortgage Advice
Pension Review
Investment Planning
Equity Release
Life Insurance
Remortgage Solutions
Portfolio Management
Tax Planning
Retirement Strategy
Financial Audits
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience in independent financial advisory services
- Our team holds FCA-authorised qualifications and industry certifications
- We operate with transparent fee structures and no hidden charges
- We provide tailored solutions for complex financial scenarios
- We maintain a client-centric approach with regular portfolio reviews
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority
What people say
Excellent service
Knowledgeable advisors
Smooth process
Tailored solutions
Prompt communication
Services
Mortgage Advice
Our mortgage advisory service specialises in helping first-time buyers, remortgagers, and property investors secure optimal financing solutions. We assess individual financial circumstances to recommend competitive rates and suitable loan structures. With access to exclusive market deals, we provide ongoing support throughout the mortgage lifecycle, ensuring clients maintain cost-effective arrangements aligned with their financial objectives.
Pension Review
We conduct comprehensive pension assessments to evaluate current savings, investment strategies, and projected retirement income. Our specialists help clients understand their pension values, risk profiles, and consolidation opportunities. Through regular reviews, we ensure retirement plans remain aligned with changing regulations and personal circumstances, maximising financial security for post-work years.
Investment Planning
Our investment planning service creates tailored portfolios based on individual risk tolerance and financial goals. We offer ongoing portfolio management with quarterly performance reviews and market adaptation strategies. The service includes tax-efficient investment structures and diversification strategies designed to optimise long-term wealth growth while maintaining appropriate risk parameters.
Equity Release
We provide specialist advice on equity release schemes for homeowners aged 55+. Our consultants explain lifetime mortgage options and home reversion plans with clear illustrations of financial implications. We conduct detailed affordability assessments and provide family consultation guidance, ensuring clients understand inheritance impacts and long-term financial consequences before proceeding.
Life Insurance
Our life insurance advisory service evaluates individual protection needs through comprehensive risk assessments. We compare policies from major providers to recommend suitable coverage levels for mortgages, income protection, and critical illness. The service includes policy reviews for existing arrangements and recommendations for adjustments based on changing life circumstances and family requirements.
People
David Barrett
Founder & Financial Adviser
With 27 years' experience in financial services, David established Plain Savings to provide accessible, jargon-free financial advice. He specialises in long-term financial planning and portfolio management.
Leon Elliott
Mortgage Adviser
Qualified mortgage and insurance advisor since 2021, Leon provides expert guidance on residential and buy-to-let mortgages. He graduated with first-class honours in business management from the University of Sunderland.
Lewis Hallam
Mortgage Adviser
Qualified mortgage advisor since 2021, Lewis specialises in portfolio mortgages and property investment financing. He graduated with first-class honours from Sheffield University and focuses on building long-term client relationships.
Richard Scott
Financial Adviser
With 14 years' experience in tax and financial services, Richard specialises in retirement planning and wealth preservation strategies for high-net-worth clients.
Kate Scott
Compliance Manager
Kate oversees regulatory compliance and office operations, ensuring adherence to FCA standards and maintaining the firm's authorisation status.
Questions
What financial services does Plain Savings offer?
We provide mortgage advice, pension reviews, investment planning, equity release solutions, and life insurance advisory services tailored to individual financial circumstances.
Are your financial advisers qualified?
All our advisers hold relevant industry qualifications and maintain FCA authorisation, with combined experience exceeding 50 years in financial services.
How do you charge for your services?
We use transparent fixed fees: £400 for standard mortgages, £650 for equity release, and £500 for portfolio services, with no hidden charges.
Can you help with first-time buyer mortgages?
Yes, we specialise in first-time buyer mortgages, providing guidance on affordability, government schemes, and securing competitive rates tailored to individual circumstances.
Do you offer ongoing financial advice?
We provide ongoing portfolio reviews and financial planning updates to ensure your investment strategies remain aligned with changing market conditions and personal objectives.
How are complaints handled?
We have a formal complaints procedure with prompt resolution processes. Unresolved issues can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service for independent review.
Reviews (5)
Dean Fowler
Feb 07, 2022
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Many thanks to Richard and Leon at Plain Savings! They helped us with remortgaging and sorting out our Help to buy loan! Also helped us with life and critical illness cover! Could not recommend these guys any more, very professional and responsive! As this was our first time dealing with remortgaging it couldn't of went any smoother with thanks to Richard and Leon! We will certainly be using the guys again in the future! Thanks for all your help! Dean and Kayla.
Rob Munro
Jan 11, 2022
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I've used Plain Savings for a mortgage renewal. Richard and Leon are very responsive, very professional and will go the extra mile when asked. I would not hesitate on recommending their financial services to anyone else, I will be certainly using them again, great work gents and thanks again.
Rosanna Mayy
Dec 07, 2021
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Richard at Plain Savings helped my partner and I choose a mortgage provider. It wasn't a straightforward situation as we needed a provider who would allow me to still own my original property whilst buying another with my partner, who was a first time buyer. Richard made the whole process stress free. After asking about our situation and gathering the usual required documents he presented his recommendations and the different terms available to us.
We also bought our life insurance and income protection policies through Plain Savings; as Richard applied and sorted these for us it was one thing less for us to worry about in the home-buying process. When we had queries during the process Richard was available to speak on the phone and was very responsive to emails. A very professional service that we will use again when our fixed term mortgage comes to an end.
We also bought our life insurance and income protection policies through Plain Savings; as Richard applied and sorted these for us it was one thing less for us to worry about in the home-buying process. When we had queries during the process Richard was available to speak on the phone and was very responsive to emails. A very professional service that we will use again when our fixed term mortgage comes to an end.
Guy Barr
Nov 24, 2021
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Very approachable and knowledgeable. Part of the team. In a difficult transaction, Richard kept us calm and on target. When we lost our buyer and had to change tack at extremely short notice, Richard took it in his stride and sorted the mortgage finance out without a murmur, allowing us to focus on the transaction without worries about the lending. Has since kept in touch and has continued to support us. Excellent service and recommended.
Jonathan Boyle
Nov 07, 2021
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Richard and the team found us a great deal on our mortgage when our personal circumstances were difficult. They've shown ongoing support.
