Definition
A financial services sales rep, authorised to give financial advice on life assurance, pensions and unit trusts, but only allowed to recommend products from his/her employer. Unlike, IFAs, therefore, tied agents cannot be assumed to give impartial advice.
Under the Financial Services Act 1986 all financial advisers must tell prospective clients whether they are tied agents or independent, so that the client knows what kind of advice he is getting.
Tied agents are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).