Your Local Stockbroker

One usually associates stockbrokers with the City of London and it is true that all the major stockbrokers have a presence in London. One of the LSE rules was that brokers had to have an office within a mile radius of the trading floor in Throgmorton Avenue.

The advantage of a City office was that they are in walking (or taxi) distance from the financial institutions (and watering holes) and an important part of City life is the ability to talk face to face. With the disappearance of the trading floor and the promulgation of screen based trading maybe this has become slightly less important. But London, of course is one of the major financial Capitals of the world.

However, all over the UK there are small and not so small local stockbrokers, usually referred to as 'country brokers' for obvious reasons. Traditionally more relaxed than the City boys in their pin-stripe suits, the local brokers are more likely to be wearing tweeds and brown shoes! Their clients are more likely to pop into their offices for a chat about the market or their investments over a cup of coffee or glass of wine. They would be involved in the local community just like the local Bank branch managers. Of course a lot of these small independent stockbrokers have been swallowed up by the big city brokers and the Banks. Brokers such as Charles Stanley and Brewin Dolphin have branches all over the UK.

So the advantages apart from the above are that clients can deliver their certificates or cheques by hand, sign documents easily and probably feel they are getting a more personal and involved service.

If there is a broker in your town or area and you require their services, give them a ring and make an appointment to visit. I am sure they will make you most welcome.

For a list of brokers in most UK counties check out our stockbrokers directory

Link to Stockbroker Directory

Your Local Stockbroker

Further Reading