Three new firms have become accredited financial planning firms by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).

Smart Financial based in Cheshire, Mackenzie Financial Planning in Bury, Lancashire and Mercury Wealth Management in County Durham have joined a group of 67 accredited financial planning firms.

The CISI says these firms have “demonstrated their professionalism by achieving the highest standards of excellence in financial planning”.

The firms undergoes a “rigorous application process” and have to provide a real financial plan which demonstrates the clients’ best interests ar...