A JARGON-free approach is favoured by Save & Invest, which was started

in Glasgow in 1985 and has made steady progress against all the changes

and ups and downs of financial markets.

The firm is regulated by the financial intermediaries body Fimbra,

with all investments held in client name and placed with major

institutions with the emphasis on security and using mostly household

names.

It has been strengthened recently by the addition of two non-executive

directors with wide experience. They are Jim Harter, a former adviser in

the company and previously partner with a major accountancy firm, and

Garry Watson, a former Hill Samuel merchant bank executive.

''They are very experienced people, helping to take us on to the next

stage of development. We have learned to listen,'' says Mr Deans with a

smile.

''Investing for income is rated as the firm's number one priority

currently. Those who do keep check on building society declining rates

have seen their returns going down and down.

''Our message is that they should find out. Sometimes it is quite

astonishing the people who call seeking urgent advice -- but then if

your income has halved that is understandable.''

The firm claims to be able to help people improve by up to 30% or 40%

in after-tax income without drastic action, which is certainly

significant in these difficult times.