Life planning: Born in the USA, but taking root in the UK

by William Robins on Jan 31, 2012 at 10:04

For better or worse the life planning movement has firmly taken root at the core of the UK financial advice profession.

• 5 Comments

Don't be fooled by January's fleeting market optimism

by David Sandham on Jan 26, 2012 at 14:23

Despite recent optimism, Europe’s problems are long term, and efforts to revitalise the banking system - though welcome - have not solved them.

• 7 Comments

Advisers should beware the new regulator's approach

by Daniel Grote on Jan 25, 2012 at 09:30

A regulator that sees it duty as removing potential pitfalls from the path of irrational consumers may well start to train its eyes on IFAs.

• 11 Comments

Parascope: Charges should reflect the value of a highly skilled service

by Anonymous on Jan 24, 2012 at 13:58

Every now and then I encounter advisers who use paraplanners who provide reports for very low fees, such as £100 for a pension transfer report.

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Legacy commission demands would dilute RDR

by Daniel Grote on Jan 24, 2012 at 07:42

Protests from life companies about the Financial Services Authority’s plans to ban legacy commission are getting louder, but they need to be resisted if one of the retail distribution review’s key principles is not to be undermined.

• 35 Comments

Parascope: should paraplanners be regulated?

by Anonymous on Jan 19, 2012 at 00:01

Paraplanning is becoming more proactive in the advice process. Advisers are delegating research and report-writing to spend valuable time with their clients. Delegating a task, though, does not mean delegating the responsibility, and both parties need to be clear on the scope of their service.

• 5 Comments

Battle lines drawn in legacy commission fight

by Daniel Grote on Jan 18, 2012 at 08:29

The Investment Management Association's response to the Financial Services Authority's consultation on the treatment of legacy commission post-retail distribution review has laid bare the divide that exists across financial services on the issue.

• 22 Comments

What the Arch Cru legal claim means for investors and IFAs

by Daniel Grote on Jan 17, 2012 at 13:27

Even if a successful case brought against ex-Arch Cru fund managers Arch Financial Products it is unclear whether the £150 million being claimed could be recovered. So where does that leave advisers and investors?

• 5 Comments

New model advisers shine despite economic gloom

by Daniel Grote on Jan 16, 2012 at 15:27

The growing economic gloom has not stopped new model advisers develop and grow their businesses.

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Michelle McGagh says goodbye to New Model Adviser®

by Michelle McGagh on Jan 13, 2012 at 15:42

New Model Adviser® editor Michelle McGagh signs off after five years with the title.

• 16 Comments