Money Marketing
17 October 2007

  • 43% of employees want healthcare

    18 Oct 2007

    A recent YouGov survey found 43 per cent of employees would most like their employer to provide private healthcare as a staff benefit.

  • 5D Finance simplifies paperwork for packagers

    23 Oct 2007

    5D Finance has announced the completion of a programme of document simplification designed to make it easier to do business with the commercial mortgage lender.

  • A shaw thing

    18 Oct 2007

    Sam Shaw is a reporter on Money Marketing

  • Abbey rethink on mortgages

    18 Oct 2007

    Abbey is set to ramp up its presence in the UK mortgage sector following a move away from the market by mortgage giant HBOS and the Northern Rock crisis.

  • ABI anger at flood defences

    18 Oct 2007

    The Association of British Insurers is up in arms at the Government's decision to increase investment in flood defences to only GBP800m a year by 2010.

  • ABI lobbies Treasury over CGT hit to bonds

    18 Oct 2007

    The Association of British Insurers and member firms have met with the Treasury this week to lobby against the proposed introduction of a flat rate of capital gains tax amid concerns it could seriously damage the life industry.

  • Academy rewards

    18 Oct 2007

    Origen has introduced a training programme to develop more IFAs

  • Access all areas

    18 Oct 2007

    As our lifestyles change, conventional annuities may no longer be the right choice for today's retirees. Advisers must look to with-profits, unit-linked and the third way instead of just looking at who is offering the best rate, says Prudential director of business development, annuities, Aston Goodey

  • Advisers told to review trusts

    18 Oct 2007

    Advisers are being recommended to review clients' trust arrangements following last week's proposed changes to inheritance tax.

  • Aegon has no plans to follow L&G lead on disclosure

    18 Oct 2007

    Aegon Scottish Equitable says it is unlikely to follow Legal & General and abolish consumers' requirement to disclose changes to their circumstances between the application process and the policy going live.

  • Aegon to sponsor Dutch footie giants Ajax

    17 Oct 2007

    Aegon has unveiled a sponsorship deal with Dutch football team Ajax starting from next season.

  • Aegon to sponsor Dutch footie giants Ajax

    17 Oct 2007

    Aegon has unveiled a sponsorship deal with Dutch football team Ajax starting from next season.

  • Aifa says costs of generic advice must be justified

    23 Oct 2007

    The Association of Independent Financial Advisers has called for the costs of generic advice to be minimised and completely justified.

  • Aims targeting female recruits

    18 Oct 2007

    Aims Partnership is targeting female recruits to its accountancy team as it predicts a surge in the number of women entrepreneurs setting up new businesses.

  • Anand has followed CBK records process for two years

    18 Oct 2007

    Anand Associates says it has successfully followed the underwriting procedure advoc-ated by CBK principal Peter Chadborn in last week's Money Marketing, whereby a clients' medical records are submitted with their protection application, for the past two years.

  • ASA's rap for MBNA over misleading ad

    18 Oct 2007

    MBNA Europe Bank has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority, which said one of its adverts to Alliance & Leicester breached its truthfulness requirements.

  • Ascentric claims to be fastest growing wrap

    19 Oct 2007

    Ascentric has now got 156 advisers from 40 firms signed up to its wrap. 

  • Ascentric reaches £175m assets

    18 Oct 2007

    Ascentric has seen its assets under advice swell by £75m in the past three months to £175m.

  • Asia driving global growth and confidence, says Fidelity International

    23 Oct 2007

    Widespread corporate restructuring and economic improvements have helped make Asia a resilient, fast-growing economic region, according to Fidelity International.

  • AWD throws down gauntlet to providers on CAR

    18 Oct 2007

    AWD is introducing customer-agreed remuneration and challenging providers to apply it to in-force policies as well.

  • Axa to double protection sales team

    18 Oct 2007

    Axa is set to double its protection sales team by the end of the year to accommodate increased demand from advisers.

  • Band of hope

    18 Oct 2007

    Technical Connection's John Woolley explains the implications of the changes to inheritance tax proposed in the pre-Budget report

  • Band on the run

    18 Oct 2007

    Whether the pre-Budget report amendments to inheritance tax amount to genuine simplification or just spin, tax analysts say there are still a number of situations where clients will benefit from estate planning. By Helen Monks

  • Bank calls for cluster analysis of hedge funds

    22 Oct 2007

    The convergence between hedge fund and equity market returns could cause confusion on how such funds should be used to diversify investment portfolios, says the Bank of New York Mellon.

  • Bank of England hits back at Northern Rock's accusations

    18 Oct 2007

    The Bank of England has rejected suggestions made by Northern Rock’s management at the Treasury select committee that talks with an unnamed party broke down before the bank run because the BoE refused to offer a backstop facility.

  • Barclays - Regular Income Bond

    18 Oct 2007

    BarclaysRegular Income Bond

  • Barclays offers protected investments range through Aegon Sipp

    22 Oct 2007

    Barclays is to offer its protected investments range through a self-invested personal pension after Aegon Scottish Equitable selected the range for its Sipp.

  • Bee cautious as Govt rules out indemnity

    18 Oct 2007

    Pension guru Steve Bee says advisers should not give advice on personal accounts unless the Government includes a warning that investors could lose out by saving in the schemes.

  • Between the margins

    18 Oct 2007

    HBOS's decision to focus on margin growth rather than volume growth is likely to result in other lenders doing the same, writes Tanya Powley

  • Big firms lose focus on returns

    18 Oct 2007

    Having a culture driven around your investment is the key to having a strong boutique offering, according to Thames River Capital investment director Michael Warren.

  • Bloch says non-doms could boost offshore market

    18 Oct 2007

    Offshore bonds could become a useful tax shelter for UK residents who are currently non-domiciled but do not want to pay the £30,000 flat fee, according to Helm Godfrey.

  • Bloxham loses age discrimination case

    18 Oct 2007

    Prudential's nominated policyholder advocate Peter Bloxham has lost his £4.5m age discrimination case against former employer, law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. He had accused Freshfields of age discrimination as a result of pension scheme changes.

  • BM Solutions to withdraw additional fixed-year and tracker products

    18 Oct 2007

    BM Solutions will be withdrawing a host of fixed-year and tracker rates from midnight on October 22.In an email alert, it confirms it will be withdrawing around 17 products across its mainstream, buy-to-let, self-cert, sub-prime self-cert and sub-prime product ranges. This includes a range of two year fixed rates and tracker products.Brokers must ensure they have submitted applications by the 22nd.

  • BM Solutions unveils first European buy to let study

    17 Oct 2007

    BM Solutions has unveiled the first study comparing the buy-to-let market across the European Union.

  • Boutique fund launchesneed IFA support

    18 Oct 2007

    SVM head of retail sales Mark Noble believes it is crucial for new boutique fund launches to get endorsement from adviser firms and multi-managers if they are to get through their initial phase of asset gathering.

  • Bradford & Bingley attempts to allay investors' fears over funding

    23 Oct 2007

    Bradford & Bingley attempted to allay investors' fears yesterday over its funding by stating that it is well positioned for the second half of 2007.

  • Broker Talkback

    18 Oct 2007

    Was the pre-Budget report good for your clients?No 62%Don't know 38%

  • Business sales advice up 200%, says Creative Business Finance

    23 Oct 2007

    Prospective business purchasers need to get their finance in place as sellers rush to take advantage of tax breaks ending in April 2008, according to Creative Business Finance.

  • Buy-to-let investors victimised by penal tax charge proposal

    23 Oct 2007

    The Chartered Institute of Housing and the Institute of Directors’ recent calls for penal tax charges on buy-to-let investors are “simplistic and blinkered”, according to Assetz.

  • CAB to close final-salary scheme

    18 Oct 2007

    The Citizens Advice Bureau is to close its final-salary pension scheme for both current and future employees after its deficit doubled in three years. Trade union Unite said the proposed replacement money-purchase scheme would not provide a guaranteed pension for staff when they retire.

  • Call for evidence in FOS probe

    18 Oct 2007

    The independent review of the Financial Ombudsman Service will investigate if a court-like process for investigating complaints would improve the way that the FOS operates.Lord Hunt of Wirral published his call for evidence this week, outlining the scope of the review, including whether a court-like process would work, whether details of individual cases should be made public and if improvements can be made to the information that the FOS releases regarding its processes.

  • Can IFAs work with the Norwich Union proposals on the RDR?

    18 Oct 2007

    The RDR debate shifts again perhaps seismically. We now have the striking news that Norwich Union has suggested that primary advice is dropped in favour of assisted purchase, that a minimum exam requirement should be the Diploma in Financial Services and that CAR should apply across all advice channels.

  • Can IFAs work with the Norwich Union proposals on the RDR?

    18 Oct 2007

    The RDR debate shifts again perhaps seismically. We now have the striking news that Norwich Union has suggested that primary advice is dropped in favour of assisted purchase, that a minimum exam requirement should be the Diploma in Financial Services and that Caris should apply across all advice channels.

  • Capital gains changes rain on life insurers’ parade

    18 Oct 2007

    This has not been a good week for the life insurance industry which has been in talks with the Treasury to try and persuade the Government to rethink the introduction of a flat rate capital gains tax.

  • Capital Homeloans further tightens lending criteria

    17 Oct 2007

    Capital Homeloans has made further criteria changes to its mortgage range in effect from October 26.

  • Catalyst reprises Stargate link to go green

    18 Oct 2007

    Catalyst Investment Group has linked up with Stargate Capital Management for the second time to offer an enterprise investment scheme fund that invests in environmentally friendly companies with products and services that are compatible with sustainable development.

  • CGT changes mean no incentive to invest in property on a "long-term basis"

    18 Oct 2007

    Property agency Chesterton says the Government’s move to scrap the existing taper relief system will affect a wide range of property owners.

  • Chancellor is not for turning over CGT move

    23 Oct 2007

    The Chancellor has rejected calls for a rethink of his plans to reform capital gains tax in a meeting with leading business groups.

  • Cheek of the devil

    18 Oct 2007

    Another shameless plug from MM features writer Will Henley. Fresh from a stint at the Edinburgh Festival, his sister's multi-award-winning cabaret Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea begins a three-week run at the Battersea Arts Centre this week.

  • Cheltenham & Gloucester - 5-Year Fixed Rate - C&G Caseflow Exclusive

    19 Oct 2007

    Cheltenham & Gloucester5-Year Fixed Rate - C&G Caseflow Exclusive

  • CII backs Thoresen Review interim report

    23 Oct 2007

    The CII Group has backed the interim report on the Thoresen Review but says the second stage needs to ensure that those giving guidance are competent.

  • CML calls for sale and leaseback regulation

    22 Oct 2007

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has joined forces with Citizens Advice and Shelter to put pressure on the Treasury to make sale and leaseback schemes regulated.

  • Complaints of unlevel playing field on SSAS

    18 Oct 2007

    Closing a loophole that allowed holders of small self-administered schemes to pass on assets to family members tax-free will create another distortion in the market, says Rowanmoor Pensions director David Seaton.

  • Conference calling

    18 Oct 2007

    Another year, another set of party conferences. MM readers are lucky to have had an erstwhile reporter doing the rounds at all three conferences, not missing a single meeting on financial services and madly filing their copy from the bowels of the Brighton, Blackpool and Bournemouth conference hotels.

  • Credit crunch sparks a mortgages exodus

    18 Oct 2007

    Mortgage professionals are looking to move out of the mortgage market and into different sectors of the financial services industry as the credit crunch forces even more mortgage firms to make job cuts.

  • Darling to take part in TSC probe

    18 Oct 2007

    Chancellor Alistair Darling will appear in front of the Treasury select committee as part of its inquiry into financial stability and transparency in the aftermath of the Rock debacle.

  • David Seaton and Ian Hammond

    18 Oct 2007

    When Seaton first heard Hammond deliver a speech, he thought it was the best he had ever heard but it was years before they worked together as the two main men at Rowanmoor. The partnership they developed was truly a meeting of minds and they work together well, with Seaton doing most of the selling and Hammond most of the administrating. Interview by Will Henley

  • Defaqto brews up a special blend

    18 Oct 2007

    Financial services research group Defaqto has changed the schedule of its quarterly multi-manager guide, Blending Talents, so that the first issue of 2008 will be in time for the Isa season.

  • Distribution Technology adds risk profiling tool

    18 Oct 2007

    Distribution Technology is introducing a stand-alone risk profiling tool, Dynamic Risk Profiler, which will also work alongside wraps and platforms.

  • Driving forces for change

    18 Oct 2007

    Norwich Union is to call on the FSA to abandon proposals for primary advice. It is also suggesting that the qualification bar for professional advisers be set at diploma in financial services level and it wants customer-agreed remuneration to apply across all channels, including bank-based advisers.

  • Driving forces for change

    18 Oct 2007

    Norwich Union is to call on the FSA to abandon proposals for primary advice. It is also suggesting that the qualification bar for professional advisers be set at diploma in financial services level and it wants customer-agreed remuneration to apply across all channels, including bank-based advisers.

  • Dynamic return

    18 Oct 2007

    Keydata has produced yet another winner. Its dynamic growth plan issue 20 is even more attractive than its other issues in the present market climate.

  • Easter issues challenge to CII over qualifications and risk

    18 Oct 2007

    Money Portal director of strategy and distribution Alan Eas-ter has challenged the CII to take on the regulatory risk for advice if it genuinely believes exams guarantee adviser competence and quality.

  • Employees call for private healthcare

    18 Oct 2007

    Almost half of all employees would like their employer to provide private healthcare benefits, says a YouGov survey.

  • European Parliament to look at helping those who buy properties abroad

    17 Oct 2007

    The European Parliament will be looking closely in the near future at providing more help for people buying properties abroad.

  • European securitization market shows first signs of life

    23 Oct 2007

    The first flicker of life in the European securitization marketplace has emerged with the news that a residential mortgage-backed securitization has had all its notes publicly offered.

  • Everyone must pay for generic advice, says Thoresen

    22 Oct 2007

    Everyone must contribute to the funding of generic advice which should be borne equally between Government and the industry, says the Thoresen Review.

  • Feel the pinch

    18 Oct 2007

    Chief Secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham says there is a "moral case" for promoting the traditional family through the tax system. He says: "I think marriage is best for kids. It's not wrong that the tax system should recognise commitment and marriage."

  • Feeling the crunch

    18 Oct 2007

    The Money Marketing Live conference and exhibition at Manchester's G-Mex on October 30 will look at the credit crunch and its impact on interm-ediaries. You can also win a Mazda MX-5 roadster sponsored by Edeus

  • First recruits for Towry Law

    18 Oct 2007

    Towry Law has welcomed the first intake of professionals into its wealth adviser development programme.

  • First State Investments - Global Listed Infrastructure Fund

    18 Oct 2007

    First State InvestmentsGlobal Listed Infrastructure Fund

  • Freedom of choice

    18 Oct 2007

    FSA head of retail investment policy Andrew Sykes looks at the new rules governing the way in which firms use assets to back the benefits paid by unit-linked policies

  • Friends Prov hits back at Pearl comments

    19 Oct 2007

    Friends Provident has hit back at statements from Pearl saying its comments provided a distorted view and fail to recognise Friends Provident's financial strength.

  • Friends to offer tele-interviews

    18 Oct 2007

    Friends Provident is to offer tele-interviewing as part of its income protection application process, bringing it in line with other providers, such as Progress by Royal Liver and LV=.

  • FSA fines broker £10,500 for equity release failings

    18 Oct 2007

    The FSA has fined a broker £10,500 for exposing consumers to the risk of being sold unsuitable equity release mortgage products.

  • FSA warns again on “unfair” staff incentives

    19 Oct 2007

    The FSA has reinforced its warning that some firm’s staff incentive schemes result in their customers being treated unfairly.

  • FundsNetwork analyser throws light on with-profits

    18 Oct 2007

    FundsNetwork launches its with-profits analyser tool this week, enabling advisers to access detailed reports on individual with-profits funds provided by Cazalet Consulting.

  • Gartmore adds to small-cap capacity

    22 Oct 2007

    Gartmore Investment Management has bolstered its small-cap team with the appointment of Jamie Brooke as fund manager.

  • Gartmore recruits multi-manager

    18 Oct 2007

    Tony Lanning is joining Gartmore' multi-manager team. He joins from Arbuthnot Latham after being at Origen and reports to team head Bambos Hambi.

  • GE Money makes changes to secured lending division

    22 Oct 2007

    GE Money Home Lending has announced structural changes to its secured lending division with director of mortgage sales Duncan Berry taking control of all 1st and 2nd mortgage sales.

  • Global EcoTrends fund for Allianz

    18 Oct 2007

    Allianz Global Investors is launching a global EcoTrends UK fund. The fund, which has been running offshore, will be managed by Bozena Jankowska, the head of Allianz Global Investors' sustainability research team, and is set for launch on February 14, 2008.

  • Government announces consumer body to advise on personal accounts

    17 Oct 2007

    The Government has announced a consumer representative committee will work with the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority to advise on plans for personal accounts.

  • Government calls for investigation into credit ratings in the aftermath of Northern Rock

    18 Oct 2007

    The Government is to demand a package of international regulatory reforms including an investigation into the role and use of credit ratings in the aftermath of the Northern Rock debacle.

  • Government to restore lost Isa tax advantages to Northern Rock savers

    18 Oct 2007

    The Government is to allow people who withdrew cash from Isas held with Northern Rock to re-deposit this money into a cash Isa with the lender or any other provider.

  • Groundhog Day

    18 Oct 2007

    So just what is a simple product? One of the RDR's key arguments for the devolution into primary advice is that most lower-paid consumers are so confused by the existing range of products that they refuse to take out savings and pension plans. The FSA believes that the arrival of simpler products will stimulate a demand among these consumers.

  • Heart of the matter

    18 Oct 2007

    Chris Salih looks at New Star's heart of Africa fund and says that while the continent has grown in investment stature, advisers may not be completely sold on it

  • Heavy duty

    18 Oct 2007

    Rising house prices have increased the burden placed on first-time buyers by stamp duty. Will Henley examines the implications of the Tory pledge to revamp the duty and says the market has been disappointed by Labour's refusal to respond

  • HSBC setting up climate fund

    18 Oct 2007

    HSBC is launching a climate change fund through its quants-based investment arm Sinopia. The fund is set for launch on November 9.

  • IFS investor challenge to students

    18 Oct 2007

    The ifs has launched its student investor challenge, which gives students the chance to invest a fantasy £100,000 in the stock market over a three-month period.

  • In with the new

    18 Oct 2007

    David Baker, legal director at Sipp and wrap consultant Wealthtime, says that it pays to treat life companies' new business figures with caution

  • India offers good long term investments, says Fidelity

    18 Oct 2007

    The Indian economy has grown from $32 billion at the start of the 1980s to more than $1 trillion today and is expected to double within the next 7 years, according to Fidelity.

  • Ingledew takes strategic role at Standard

    18 Oct 2007

    Barclays Financial Planning commercial director Stephen Ingledew is leaving next month to join Standard Life as distribution strategy director.

  • Insight adds three to fixed-income team

    18 Oct 2007

    Insight Investment has added three new names to its fixed-income team, with Peter Bentley joining as head of UK credit from Pimco, Holger Friedrich as senior emerging markets fund manager and Albane Philippon as credit analyst.

  • Is the market ready to get spicy?

    17 Oct 2007

    As the possibility of a recession in the US continues to be debated it seems that many fund management firms have picked up the batten and decided now is the best time to present their case for investing in emerging markets.

  • It’s not all bad

    19 Oct 2007

    So, it seems IFAs are making money after all. I’ve not been around that long, but if I had a pound for every time I’d heard someone say that IFAs don’t ever make any money, I’d be, ooh, at least a couple of hundred pounds better off.

  • James Hay mailing accused of undermining advisers

    23 Oct 2007

    James Hay has been accused of undermining IFAs by writing directly to their Sipp clients offering them access to a panel of discretionary investment managers instead of using the services of their adviser.

  • Jersey opens door to unregulated funds

    18 Oct 2007

    Jersey is widening its funds capabilities with the introduction of an unregulated funds regime.

  • Judge's payback ruling on endowment redress

    18 Oct 2007

    A Judge has ruled that an IFA’s client must pay back the endowment misselling redress ordered by the financial Ombudsman Service if their policy matures above the expected level, leaving no shortfall.

  • Kensington Mortgages - Prime Buy-To-Let Self-Cert Three YEar Fixed

    18 Oct 2007

    Kensington MortgagesPrime Buy-To-Let Self-Cert Three-Year Fixed

  • Kensington Mortgages - Prime Verified 2-Year Fixed

    18 Oct 2007

    Kensington MortgagesPrime Verified 2-Year Fixed

  • Lancaster joins Gulf

    18 Oct 2007

    Norwich Union UK income opportunities manager Ian Lancaster has quit to join Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House Asset Management.

  • Lawrence House emerges from cash shelter

    18 Oct 2007

    Lawrence House has brought down the cash levels on all its funds to within the normal 2 to 3 per cent range from August highs of almost 10 per cent.

  • Lehman Brothers preparing new €1bn CMBS deal

    23 Oct 2007

    Lehman Brothers is understood to be preparing a new €1 billion commercial mortgage-backed securitisation after it reportedly failed to find a buyer for its previous €1.52 bn Windermere XII CMBS deal.

  • Lehman Brothers to increase UK redundancies to 225

    23 Oct 2007

    Lehman Brothers says it will be increasing the number of UK redundancies to 225 from an expected 150.

  • Lehman warns CGT changes could wipe 10% off life company values

    18 Oct 2007

    Lehman Brothers says the impact of changes to capital gains tax in the pre-Budget report could wipe up to 10 per cent off the value of life companies.

  • Lending in September falls by as much as 12 per cent says CML

    18 Oct 2007

    Gross mortgage lending has fallen by as much as 12 per cent in September compared to August.

  • 'Life links still the biggest challenge'

    18 Oct 2007

    Life links are still the biggest distribution challenge facing boutique fund managers, according to SVM.

  • Lifesearch teams up with MorganAsh for tele-interviews

    22 Oct 2007

    Lifesearch has signed up MorganAsh to tele-interview its customers in a bid to provide a thorough and independent record of their medical history and speed up processing.

  • Lincoln relaunches product for elderly

    18 Oct 2007

    Lincoln Financial Group is relaunching long-term care-style product Elderly Care in a move it says will shake up a stagnant market.

  • LLoyds TSB sets up recruitment arm

    18 Oct 2007

    Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance is to launch the first recruitment finance division dedicated to UK staffing companies.

  • Making a timely exit

    18 Oct 2007

    There has never been a better time for the owner of an IFA to consider selling up, writes Peter Allen, partner in Grant Thornton's Financial Services Group

  • Martin Currie looking at starting up China fund

    18 Oct 2007

    Martin Currie is looking at setting up a China fund for manager James Chong early next year.

  • Matrix avoids the crunch

    18 Oct 2007

    Matrix Group says its recently launched asset-based Fund 2, a fund of hedge funds, has held up well during the credit crunch because it invests in asset-based lending managers and avoids asset-backed securities.

  • McFall attacks Northern Rock director over lending strategy

    18 Oct 2007

    Government advisers and northern Rock director Derek Wanless received a roasting from the treasury select committee this week, as Chairman John McFall accused him of not doing his job.

  • Melton Mowbray buys up remaining shares in packager Praxis

    22 Oct 2007

    Packager Praxis Mortgage Solutions has today been bought by Melton Mowbray Building Society after speculation that it was set to enter administration.

  • Memory bank

    18 Oct 2007

    When I was asked to write this piece and came to think about it I could not believe that I have been in financial services for more than 25 years.

  • MPC member pinpoints BTL market as potential source of weakness

    23 Oct 2007

    A member of the Monetary Policy Committee has warned that the buy-to-let market could be a potential source of weakness in the UK housing market.

  • NAPF says more accountability needed for private equity industry

    22 Oct 2007

    The National Association of Pension Funds is calling for more accountability in the private equity industry to encourage pension schemes to invest in the sector.

  • New board member at Heartwood Wealth Management

    18 Oct 2007

    Heartwood Wealth Management has announced the appointment of Guy Hudson to its board when he joins early in 2008.

  • New financial services legislation proposed in Jersey

    22 Oct 2007

    Jersey Financial Services Commission has published a consultation paper setting out proposals to introduce new secondary legislation.

  • New global head of sales and marketing at HSBC

    17 Oct 2007

    HSBC Private Bank has appointed Patrick Tuohy as global head of sales and marketing of the Alternative Investment Group.

  • New Northern Rock chairman approved by FSA

    22 Oct 2007

    Northern Rock has confirmed that incoming director Bryan Sanderson has been approved by the FSA.As a result, Sanderson's appointment as a director and chairman of Northern Roch has become effective.This comes after the resignation of chairman Matt Ridley last Friday due to his role in the bank's crisis.

  • New sales manager at AXA IM

    19 Oct 2007

    AXA Investment Managers has announced the appointment of James Wallace to the role of sales manager, global distribution and family offices as part of the UK retail sales team.

  • New Star uncovers Africa's hidden gems

    19 Oct 2007

    New Star’s heart of Africa fund is an Oeic providing access to sub-Saharan markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius and Kenya.

  • NICs increase will hit lower income earners

    19 Oct 2007

    The rise in National Insurance Contributions under the Treasury's rates and allowances for 2008/09 means that lower income earners will feel the pinch next year, according to Grant Thornton.

  • Non-disclosure take two

    23 Oct 2007

    I’ve had quite a few responses to my last My Money Marketing where I outlined a couple of ideas being thrown around on how to eradicate the non-disclosure stifling the industry.

  • Northern Rock chairman quits

    19 Oct 2007

    Northern Rock chairman Matt Ridley has stepped down as a result of his role in the lender's crisis and will be replaced by former Bupa and Standard Chartered chairman Bryan Sanderson.

  • Northern Rock versus Bank of England

    19 Oct 2007

    After a fun-filled press trip to Brussels with BM Solutions to hear all about its inaugural European buy-to-let research, I return to find arguments between Northern Rock and the Bank of England have been the major talking point this week.

  • Northern Rock's borrowing from Bank of England totals £16bn

    19 Oct 2007

    Northern Rock has borrowed a further £3bn from the Bank of England, taking the total to around £16bn.

  • NU extends children's critical illness to all CI policies

    22 Oct 2007

    Norwich Union has extended its children’s critical illness cover to all CI policies.

  • NU in radical move to axe primary advice

    18 Oct 2007

    Norwich Union is to propose a radical middle way in its final RDR submission which will call for the FSA to drop plans for primary advice.

  • O'Brien bites back at Tory 'attack dog'

    18 Oct 2007

    Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien has hit back at Tory Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Chris Grayling, calling him Cameron's "attack dog" after Grayling accused the Labour Party of pensions robbery.

  • Offshore outlook

    18 Oct 2007

    HSBC Investments is looking into creating its own funds dealing platform to better enable investor access to offshore funds, something that remains difficult despite the fact that there are very little differences any more between off and onshore fund regimes.

  • Only 4,000 non-doms to pay new £30,000 fee

    22 Oct 2007

    Official Treasury estimates have revealed that only 4,000 non-domicile British residents will pay the new £30,000 tax charge on wealthy foreigners.

  • Open architecture for AJ Bell Sipps

    18 Oct 2007

    AJ Bell is introducing complete open architecture on its Sippcentre product from early next year and will also allow investors to hold commercial property, trustee investment plans and access external bank accounts.

  • Open minded

    18 Oct 2007

    Five-page focus opens with Gregor Watt looking at the difficulties advisers face in engaging people in the annuity process

  • Out of context

    18 Oct 2007

    "Actually, this is the problem with unscripted speeches, David Cameron wasn't talking about Gordon Brown's worst legacy, it was a German sausage reference to the wurst legacy."

  • Oval announces 27% revenue growth

    22 Oct 2007

    Insurance broking, risk management and financial advisory group Oval Limited has released its results, showing group revenues increased by 27 per cent from £47m to £60m in the last year.

  • Paper chase

    18 Oct 2007

    Before I wrote last week's column on the way New Labour managed to squander the goodwill of millions of people by its arrogant refusal to listen to those who had sensible, constructive ideas to make about financial services, I had actually intended to write about something else.

  • Paragon could be forced to run its business down, says analyst KB&W

    22 Oct 2007

    Specialist buy-to-let lender Paragon could be forced to run its business down if no new funding appears by quarter two 2008, says a report by investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

  • Paragon's shares fell by 10 per cent yesterday as concerns over funding grow

    23 Oct 2007

    Paragon’s shares fell by almost 10 per cent yesterday after concerns it would have to run its business down if funding does not return by February.

  • Paternoster assets under management increase by 21 per cent

    18 Oct 2007

    Paternoster's assets under management have increased by 21 per cent in quarter three of this year.

  • Paymentshield joins Paradigm GI panel

    22 Oct 2007

    Paradigm Mortgage Services has added Paymentshield to its general insurance panel.

  • Pelham Capital Management opens Isle of Man branch

    18 Oct 2007

    The Isle of Man has announced the establishment of new hedge fund managers Pelham Capital Management on the island.

  • Pensions minister sets out reforms to ease burden of regulation

    22 Oct 2007

    Pensions minister Mike O'Brien has set out proposals for easing the burden of regulations on employer pension schemes.

  • People on the move

    18 Oct 2007

    Investment

  • Personal Touch launches scheme for graduates

    18 Oct 2007

    Personal Touch Financial Services has launched a two-year graduate training programme to be based at its head offices in the West Midlands.

  • Pink Home Loans- Self-Cert: 6.5% fixed to 01/11/10

    18 Oct 2007

    Pink Home LoansSelf-Cert: 6.5% fixed to 01/11/10

  • Platforms appeal for patience from users

    18 Oct 2007

    Having to control their rate of progress and manage adviser expectations are the biggest problems for platform providers.

  • 'Platforms will hold £256bn by 2010'

    18 Oct 2007

    Assets held on platforms will grow to £256bn by 2010, according to Adnitor.

  • PMS launches 5.69 per cent three-yr fixed rate with Abbey

    23 Oct 2007

    Premier Mortgage Service has launched an exclusive three-year fixed rate of 5.69 per cent with Abbey for Intermediaries.

  • Premiums set to rise amid tax crackdown on insurers

    18 Oct 2007

    Protection experts are concerned that removing tax relief on reinsured business could see insurance premiums jump by 3 to 4 per cent.

  • Professional help

    18 Oct 2007

    Helen Monks describes how IFAs can benefit from referring their clients to other fee earners such as solicitors and accountants

  • Profits up 44% at SimplyBiz

    18 Oct 2007

    SimplyBiz has reported a profits rise of 44 per cent to £3.1m in the year ended December 31, 2006. Turnover was up by 24 per cent to £7.48m.

  • Progress offers IFAs a virtual underwriter

    18 Oct 2007

    Progress by Royal Liver is adding a virtual underwriter tool to its website which aims to efficiently answer any protection queries by advisers.

  • Promotional tactics of international properties needs review, says Clarion

    18 Oct 2007

    The organiser of the International Property Investment Expo, Clarion Events, is calling for promotional tactics to be reviewed to ensure the public is not being misled.

  • Pru opens factory gates

    18 Oct 2007

    PrudentialInvestment Plan

  • Prudential retail sales up but total UK sales fall by 20 per cent

    23 Oct 2007

    Prudential UK retail sales rose 8 per cent but overall sales fell by 20 per cent in its new business results released today.

  • Reforms lead to warnings of buy-to-let speculation

    18 Oct 2007

    Industry experts say the Chancellor's proposals to scrap taper relief could encourage short-term investing by buy-to-let landlords.

  • Reforms raise thorny issue of suitability

    18 Oct 2007

    IFAs face a headache when advising on insurance bonds after the Chancellor proposed a flat rate of capital gains tax.

  • Regulation has bolstered faith in Sipps, claim IFAs

    18 Oct 2007

    Transparency of charging and client confidence in self-invested personal pensions has improved since regulation came in.

  • Resolution Foundation wants

    18 Oct 2007

    The Resolution Foundation has called for a voluntary code of practice for price comparison websites after conducting research that shows many sites fail ing to explain the commercial relationships they may have with product providers.

  • Resolution rejects yet another Pearl bid

    19 Oct 2007

    Pearl has made another approach to Resolution with a cash offer of 691 pence per share but has been knocked back again.

  • Retail therapy

    18 Oct 2007

    Now could be the time to put some of the UK's retailers in your shopping basket

  • Retirement Plus and Milton Homes to merge

    22 Oct 2007

    Home reversion providers Retirement Plus and Milton Homes have agreed a merger that will see them hold combined assets of £100m.

  • Risky business

    18 Oct 2007

    FSA goes on the war path over advisers recommending Sipps to their clients

  • Rules of engagement

    18 Oct 2007

    New market innovations are seeking to involve consumers more in their own protection products

  • Sales shift could see dip in commission

    18 Oct 2007

    Advisers who rely on up-front commission could see their revenue streams severely dented if insurance bond sales fall off following the pre-Budget report.

  • ScotLife offers income release for pension

    18 Oct 2007

    Scottish Life has launched an income-release plan that enables clients to access their pension fund before retirement.

  • SIML lays out best ideas ambition

    19 Oct 2007

    SIML has confirmed that it is looking at bolstering its range of best ideas funds to five through launch of both European and International offerings.

  • Sipp it and see

    18 Oct 2007

    Don't let the pension revolution pass you by

  • Skandia merges Skandia Life and Selestia businesses

    17 Oct 2007

    Skandia has merged the commercial operations of Skandia Life and Selestia and Skandia UK's former strategy director Nick Dixon has been appointed commercial director to head up the team.

  • Small is beautiful

    18 Oct 2007

    Scotland has been known as a successful centre of financial services for centuries but its history may lead some people to think it is a sleepy, traditional market dominated by ageing actuaries.

  • Sole survivors

    18 Oct 2007

    The dependants of sole traders could face hard times if they don't mind the gap

  • Some you win, some you lose

    18 Oct 2007

    Money Marketing offers a round-up of key changes to financial services regulation introduced by the Chancellor in the pre-Budget report. Matthew Taylor, insurance tax partner at Ernst & Young, considers the implications of proposed changes to Capital Gains Tax, Skandia head of tax and financial planning Colin Jelley looks at IHT, and Mike Warburton, senior tax partner at Grant Thornton, gives an overview of changes to the tax treatment of non-domiciles

  • Something for everyone

    18 Oct 2007

    Improved annuity guidance is set to increase uptake of the open market option. Samantha Downes reviews the choices available to investors who want to shop around

  • SPA ETFs - SPA MarketGrader Large Cap

    19 Oct 2007

    SPA ETFsSPA MarketGrader Large Cap

  • SPA ETFs - SPA MarketGrader Mid Cap

    19 Oct 2007

    SPA ETFsSPA MarketGrader Mid Cap

  • Stamp duty increases by a quarter on last year

    18 Oct 2007

    The average amount of money paid in stamp duty has increased by an average of 24.76 per cent, according to mform.co.uk.

  • Stamp duty tax increasing at five times rate of UK salaries

    22 Oct 2007

    Stamp duty tax is increasing at five times the rate of UK salaries, Stroud & Swindon Building Society has found.

  • Standard and Swiss Re set for Resolution bid

    18 Oct 2007

    The race for Resolution Life is hotting up after Swiss Re confirmed it is in discussions with Standard Life about launching a joint counter-offer for the firm.

  • Standard could offer role for Cowdery

    22 Oct 2007

    Standard Life could offer a senior role to Resolution chairman Clive Cowdery if it makes an offer for the firm this week.

  • Standard delivery

    18 Oct 2007

    Layton Blackham is a directly authorised IFA firm with 10 client-facing advisers and nearly 30 supporting staff. Dividing our work between employee benefits and a wealth management team that offers an holistic financial planning service, we have segmented our work so that advisers specialise in each area rather than trying to be all things to all clients. We are happy that this has worked well for us.

  • Standard Life Investments - Income Protection Plan

    18 Oct 2007

    Standard LifeIncome Protection Plan

  • Sub-prime crisis to hit 1,000 UK jobs

    18 Oct 2007

    The number of job losses in the UK mortgage market as a result of the US sub-prime crisis is set to top 1,000.

  • Suffolk Life Sipp draws route for protected rights

    18 Oct 2007

    Suffolk Life has brought out the MasterSipp, a trust-based self-invested personal pension that can accept protected rights money.

  • Suffolk sets up Sipp deal

    18 Oct 2007

    Suffolk Life has launched a trust-based Sipp product which will allow customers to self-invest protected rights money.

  • Supermarkets open up audience for boutiques

    18 Oct 2007

    Fund supermarkets are the ideal scenario for boutiques as they offer them a level playing field, with larger counterparts that have bigger marketing budgets.

  • Tale of the detail

    18 Oct 2007

    Budgets and pre-Budget reports are curious things and budget speeches even more so.

  • Talent spotting

    18 Oct 2007

    Scotland has a long and successful history as a major financial centre. Two hundred years ago it was the birthplace of a fledgling crop of insurance companies. The Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society, the first mutual company to be founded in Edinburgh was created in 1815. It was soon followed in 1826 by the West of Scotland Insurance Company, later known as Scottish Amicable, and then joined by Scottish Equitable in 1831 and Scottish Provident in 1837.

  • Tax tests

    18 Oct 2007

    Chris Salih looks at New Star's heart of Africa fund and says that while the continent has grown in investment stature, advisers may not be completely sold on it

  • Testing times ahead

    18 Oct 2007

    This week, Money Marketing's expert panel respond to the first questions submitted by readers about the RDR. The panel are on hand to answer questions about the potential future market landscape and broader issues underpinning the review. If you have any queries you want answered, or any nagging questions you do not feel have yet been addressed in these pages, email the panel at rdr@centaur.co.uk

  • Thames River Capital - Distribution Fund

    18 Oct 2007

    Thames River CapitalDistribution Fund

  • Thames River Capital - Equity Managed Fund

    18 Oct 2007

    Thames River CapitalEquity Managed Fund

  • Thames River Capital - Global Boutiques Fund

    18 Oct 2007

    Thames River CapitalGlobal Boutiques Fund

  • Thames River steams ahead

    18 Oct 2007

    Thames River CapitalEquity Managed Fund

  • The bullion and the bear

    18 Oct 2007

    Which supposedly shrewd economist sold an asset class back in the late 1990s, only to see it triple by 2007? Yes, you guessed right, the answer is Gordon Brown, who sold half the national gold reserves at about $250 an ounce. The current price is $752 an ounce.

  • The holiday is over

    18 Oct 2007

    After the Chancellor axed holiday pay schemes, could salary sacrifice be next?

  • The meaning of life

    18 Oct 2007

    Perhaps knowing our healthcare needs should be met by the NHS has persuaded us that life will always be a case of happy families but the £2.3trn protection gap continues to pose a problem as UK consumers scale down their purchases of life insurance, says Liz Mancini

  • The open road

    18 Oct 2007

    On the first anniversary of HSBC Investments' OpenFunds multi-manager range, Rob Griffin talks to head of UK multi-manager and offshore James Hughes and senior fund manager Nicholas Pothier about the philosophy behind the funds and plans for a forthcoming global property Fof

  • The PBR will improve returns for investors in AIM-traded companies, says AIC

    17 Oct 2007

    Tax changes announced in the Pre-Budget Report may improve returns for investors in AIM-traded investment companies and enhance the attractions of VCTs with AIM holdings, says the Association of Investment Companies.

  • The rules of attraction

    18 Oct 2007

    As demand continues to outstrip supply, a strategy for hiring staff is crucial

  • The time is right

    18 Oct 2007

    Timing is crucial as the product when it comes to advising clients on the options opent ot them regarding investing their pensions, writes James Salmon

  • The way forward

    18 Oct 2007

    The distribution sector has a crucial role to play in encouraging people to save for the future, says Tenet chief executive Simon Hudson

  • There is a corner for a foreign yield

    18 Oct 2007

    Philip Scott says there are compelling arguments for seeking income outside the UK, with greater prospects for economic growth and increased emphasis on returning value to shareholders through dividend payments

  • Thinc Group acquires Bristol IFA Crest

    19 Oct 2007

    Thinc Group has acquired Bristol-based adviser firm Crest Financial Group and its associated mortgage and IFA arms.Based in Bristol, Crest has nine advisers split across its tied, mortgage and IFA arms. Thinc chief executive John Simmonds says: “Crest Financial Group is a valuable addition to the Thinc group. This acquisition is in line with our strategy to expand the group and grow the number of advisers within it."

  • Threesixty says IFAs need not tear up will trust plans

    23 Oct 2007

    Support service provider threesixty says IFAs need not tear up their clients' will trusts following the pre-Budget report's changes to nil rate band transferability.

  • 'TMP will have 25% of retail distribution in five months'

    18 Oct 2007

    Money Portal will control 25 per cent of the UK retail distribution market by March 2008, according to chief executive Richard Craven.

  • Tories confident of CGT U-turn

    18 Oct 2007

    The Conservatives believe there is a good chance the Government will perform a U-turn over its proposals to reform capital gains tax.

  • Treasury to meet with business leaders to discuss CGT fears

    22 Oct 2007

    Business leaders will meet with the Chancellor today to express their concerns over the changes to capital gains tax announced in the pre-Budget report.

  • Tribunal rejects FSA promotions rulings

    18 Oct 2007

    The FSA has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal overturned most of its rulings against a firm for financial promot-ions failings.

  • Turn back time

    18 Oct 2007

    Given the recent increase in market volatility, the difficulties in debt markets and the approach of 19 October, there is a temptation to draw comparisons with events 20 years ago, when world stock markets collapsed, ending the strong bull run and foreshadowing the property crisis and recession of the early 1990s. But how similar to 1987 are the events of the past few months and what are markets expecting for 2008 and beyond?

  • Unum enhances cover terms

    18 Oct 2007

    Unum has boosted its group life proposition by enhancing terms for cover up to the age of 70, adding the option of extending redundancy cover and introducing a more pragmatic approach to scheme late entrants.

  • Variable solution

    18 Oct 2007

    Ben Pollard and Susan Stock, consultants at the Tillinghast business of Towers Perrin, talk about the virtues of the variable annuity

  • Virgin heads consortium in £1bn Northern Rock offer

    18 Oct 2007

    Richard Branson's Virgin Group has entered the circle of bidders for the crisis-ridden Northern Rock, heading a consortium of heavyweight names.

  • Virgin Money USA launches new family mortgage service

    18 Oct 2007

    Virgin Money USA has launched a new family mortgage in the US which enables friends and families to lend to each other.

  • Westminster Northern Rock storms continue unabated

    22 Oct 2007

    Westminster was again the scene of Northern Rock drama last week as chairman Matt Ridley fulfilled his final duty before jumping ship and chief executive Adam Applegarth hit out at the Bank of England.

  • What if scenario

    18 Oct 2007

    How the 'what if' business development tool can aid advisers

  • Widen your net

    18 Oct 2007

    The recruitment market in financial services has suffered from a shortage of good quality candidates in the past few years, which has caused real problems. There has been demand for certain skills that the market has been unable to supply in enough quantity. Paraplanners, IFAs, sales support staff with the right qualifications or specialist IT knowledge - the list goes on.

  • Worthy thoughts

    18 Oct 2007

    Inheritance tax is a growing concern after a client's estate is swelled by a £200k legacy

  • Young and elderly hit hardest by inflation

    18 Oct 2007

    Young people and the elderly remain the hardest hit by inflation, according to Alliance Trust. The group says although 65-74 year-olds suffered the biggest increase in inflation this month, the over-75s face a rate of inflation of 2.2 per cent, 22 per cent higher than the headline inflation of 1.8 per cent.

  • Your Money Portal claiming to be 'first true aggregator'

    18 Oct 2007

    The Money Portal has launched its online service, Your Money Portal, to the Sage network and claims it will be the first true aggregator of platforms in the market.

  • Zurich report highlights community changes impacting financial services

    18 Oct 2007

    Zurich Financial Services’ independent study of Britain shows that the “returnment” phenomenon of people coming out of retirement and returning to the workplace is impacting on retirement planning.

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