This according to the third annual member survey conducted by independent research agency Consensus for IFAP.
The survey carried out in November 2003, based on written responses from 1,765 IFAP member IFAs, reveals that a massive 82% of all consumer leads generated via IFAP's hotlines and websites resulted in business for local member IFAs, helping to explain why IFAP's referral service is viewed as a core benefit of membership.
In addition the research reveals that:
* 70% of member IFAs acknowledged the referrals they received from IFAP during the last year, with 57% receiving between 1 and 5, and 12% gaining 6 or more new business leads. The vast majority of these leads were from consumers, whilst 4% were from businesses - up from 2% last year.
* 64% of member IFAs view use of the blue pound sign roundel as another key IFAP member benefit, with 85% seeing this as the symbol of independent financial advice.
David Elms, Chief Executive of IFAP, said, "Despite stockmarket volatility and concerns around a number of financial issues, 2003 has proved IFAP's best yet for providing our members with membership value. We generated over 330,000 new business leads for our members - more than ever - and continued to raise the positive profile of independent financial advice overall."
The survey probed further into views on the various ancillary services offered by IFAP, and revealed that:
* The majority (58%) of member IFAs support IFAP's Media Services initiative
* 42% of member IFAs aware of IFAP's regional Press Clubs, working with local media to promote local advice, expressed interest in being involved
* 76% of recipients find IFAP's bi-monthly Update newsletter informative and useful
* 63% of member IFAs place the IFA roundel on their letterheads, 58% on business cards.
* Nearly half of member IFA websites feature the IFA roundel
Elms continued "This year's member survey confirms that IFAs up and down the country are receiving and appreciating a broad spectrum of IFAP member benefits.
"The year ahead will be a challenging one for financial services and for the advisory market. However we head into 2004 stronger than ever in the knowledge we have members' overwhelming support for the wide-ranging marketing programme IFAP carries out on their behalf."
