Recently added articles from Financial Advisor:
Commercial lending 'wounded' West Brom.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Joy Dunbar A 'failure to grasp commercial lending' took West Bromwich BS to the brink West Bromwich Building Society ran into difficulty because bosses did not understand commercial mortgages, while problems with its loan book were clear 18 months ago, ...
Practice what you preach.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Hal Austin Comment If allegations against the FSA are true, it is a matter of priority for Hector Sants and his senior colleagues to resolve the matter urgently. There is no going back to a time when people vented their crude social manners on ...
Time to start work on improving your image.
Jun 25, 2009; ... Byline: Kevin O'Donnell The concept of IFAs still remains a secretive and poorly understood service, even 20 years after it was introduced and that needs to change for the benefit of its public image How often have I heard words like: "IFAs are scum; they cheat and ...
IFAs urged to apply for ISO qualification subsidy.(Brief article)
Jun 25, 2009; ... Byline: Gail Moss IFAs intending to train for the ISO 22222 qualification have been urged to apply for funding while it lasts. Under the government's Train to Gain funding scheme, IFAs can pay a reduced fee of GBP437.50 to get certification through Standards ...
IMA warns EU of regulatory overkill.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Gail Moss The Investment Management Association has warned the draft alternative investment fund managers directive could have grave consequences for the asset management industry. In a speech to the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry last week, ...
Throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Tony Hazell My friends at the FSA have received another ear-bashing from the Financial Services Consumer Panel. Adam Phillips, acting chairman of the panel hit the nail on the head when he questioned whether "the FSA's overall regulatory approach works for ...
Surviving the credit crunch.
Jun 25, 2009; ... Byline: Andrew Wilkins For investors wondering how to make money in uncertain times, traded life policies might offer an answer Given the performance of traditional asset classes over the last 24 months, it is hardly surprising that advisers are scouring the ...
Lords disapproves of pension tax relief changes.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Emma Ann Hughes The government undermined the simplicity, consistency and certainty needed to make retirement decisions with its latest shake-up of the tax regime, according to a House of Lords report. In the 70-page report, published by the House of Lords ...
Plimsoll sees bulk of advisers beating recession.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Emma Ann Hughes Two-thirds of the UK's largest 1000 IFA firms are in a strong financial position despite the ongoing recession, according to Plimsoll Publishing. Its poll found 621 firms were rated as strong, having on average seen sales increase by 3.6 per ...
FSA envisages MPC-style regulator.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: David Pawsey The FSA has called for a supervisory body that would function in a similar way to the Bank of England's monetary policy committee. Chaired by the governor of the Bank of England, the body would consist of five members of the Bank and four members ...
The Money Portal completes its administration sale to Honister.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: David Pawsey Private investment company Honister Capital has acquired the principal businesses of The Money Portal through administration of the company. Honister has taken on Burns-Anderson, Sage Financial Services, Willis Owen and the principal assets of ...
Cross-selling claims burden Phoenix.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Joy Dunbar Phoenix Life, which is part of the Pearl Group, has come under fire for selling details of an adviser's clients to Axa Sun Life. Nick Beatty, director of Bristol-based IFA Cedar Wealth Management, said he discovered the provider had sold a list of ...
The need for change.(Brief article)
Jun 25, 2009; ... Byline: Hal Austin Comment One of the key differences between us this side of the pond and our US cousins, certainly in the management of financial services, is that while they are calling for a root and branch shake-up, we are happy with tweaking the edges. ...
Rowanmoor offers scheme illustration service.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Joy Dunbar A scheme pension illustration service is being offered as part of Rowanmoor Pensions offering of pre-sales documentation. The service is available for anyone who wants to set up a Rowanmoor Pensions Sipp or family pension trust. This ...
Martin parts ways with Nucleus.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: Joy Dunbar Philip Martin, business director of Nucleus, has announced his departure from IFA-owned and controlled wrap platform. He helped launch the company three years ago. Since launch, Mr Martin has led the team responsible for implementing a ...
Policyholders condemn Aviva report size.(Brief article)
Jun 25, 2009; ... Byline: Emma Ann Hughes Aviva's policyholder advocate has come under fire for producing a 515-page report on the proposed reattribution of the insurance giant's inherited estates. The report, which states the majority of eligible policyholders will receive an offer ...
Technical fault behind commission delays, says Mortgage Times.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: David Pawsey Mortgage Times has hit back at claims that delayed commission payments are due to the network running into financial difficulties. Following complaints from a Positive Solutions adviser who said he had been waiting since February to be paid ...
FSA defends survey findings.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: David Pawsey Racism is not endemic in the FSA despite admitting instances of "inappropriate behaviour", the regulator has said. On Sunday it was reported that FSA staff had raised concerns about a racist culture at the City watchdog during an employee survey ...
Money Portal gets Virtual help.(Brief article)
Jun 25, 2009; ... Byline: David Pawsey Virtual Net, a technology-based network for whole-of-market mortgage advisers and IFAs, has said it will assist any Money Portal advisers and firms that want to set up on their own. The Kent-based firm said all appointed representatives would ...
Bennett joins Gartmore equities team.
Jun 25, 2009 ... Byline: David Pawsey Gartmore has announced the appointment of John Bennett as senior portfolio manager to its European Equities team. Mr Bennett is joining the investment house from GAM where he spent 16 years. Mr Bennett is expected to join Gartmore in ...