Money Marketing
22 July 2009

  • £1M a day losses for GE loan arm

    23 Jul 2009

    GE Money Home Lending, the UK arm of GE Capital, is currently losing around £1m a day.

  • £30M costs for Pada

    23 Jul 2009

    The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority has announced costs of more than £30m for 2009. Staff costs are £13.1m alongside other advice and support costs of £17.7m.

  • 2020 vision

    28 Jul 2009

    The Government and industry are investigating possible ways product providers could help address social insurance issues.

  • 93% want tripartite system changed, says SII

    22 Jul 2009

    Ninety-three per cent of the finance industry believe the current tripartite system of financial supervision in the UK should be overhauled, according to the Securities & Investment Institute.

  • A fund in top form

    23 Jul 2009

    A key issue for many clients remains boosting their income. For many, this has been at least partly satisfied by holding corporate bond funds, which, after a very poor 2008, have come back quite strongly.

  • ABI move to axe TPD could boost severity products

    23 Jul 2009

    The Association of British Insurers' proposal to scrap total permanent disability from critical-illness cover could act as a springboard for severity-based products, says Pru Protect.

  • Adrian Ware

    23 Jul 2009

    Adrian Ware says a lingering sense of dissatisfaction with the private banking business and a desire to do something for himself were the driving forces behind his decision to set up on his own.

  • 'Adviser-charging could wipe out IFAs'

    23 Jul 2009

    The move to adviser-charging questions the future viability of major networks and nationals, says former Origen chief executive Gareth Marr.

  • Advisers will have to pay for trading firm's FSCS claims

    24 Jul 2009

    Contracts for difference and spread trading firm Global Trader Europe has been declared in default with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme saying up to 400 former customers may be eligible for compensation.

  • Aegon awarded 12 'eee' ratings by F&TRC

    22 Jul 2009

    Finance and Technology Research Centre has awarded Aegon 12 eee ratings so far this year, the most in the life and pensions industry.

  • AMI plans mortgage working party

    24 Jul 2009

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries is set to form a working party of its members to consider the major issues facing the mortgage market.

  • Analysis: Political change in Japan

    28 Jul 2009

    The elections to the Japanese lower house on August 30 are widely expected to bring about a substantial victory for the Democratic Party (DPJ). This would end the 50-year reign of the incumbent Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

  • Analysis: Tobacco stocks gaining in popularity

    28 Jul 2009

    ...

  • Art form

    23 Jul 2009

    We need to keep our eyes open to what is happening in the compliance world beyond the very current TCF and the 2012 RDR. If I asked you what deadline we were approaching at the end of August, I doubt many could answer correctly. It's the end of the initial disclosure document and menu and the introduction of a new initial disclosure document - the services and costs disclosure document, to be in place by August 31.

  • Aviva blunder on orphan payouts

    23 Jul 2009

    Aviva has sent out letters to 9,000 with-profits policyholders admitting it miscalculated the amount owed to them in the redistribution of its inherited estate.

  • Aviva set to kickstart residential letting

    27 Jul 2009

    Aviva is working with property brokers CB Richard Ellis and an unnamed US residential manager on an investment fund to buy and rent out UK residential properties, according to reports.

  • Aviva to launch £1bn rental property fund

    27 Jul 2009

    Aviva is to launch a £1bn investment fund with two partners to buy and rent out residential property, according to reports.

  • Axa PPP reduces healthcare for staff

    28 Jul 2009

    Axa PPP is reducing the amount of private healthcare it gives its staff in a bid to reduce operating costs.

  • Balance the message

    23 Jul 2009

    The FSA's most recent PR campaign of enhanced enforcement and apparent willingness to drive companies into bankruptcy will simply cause further consumer concern and affect confidence in the sector generally.

  • Bank can’t replace the FSA, says Brown

    23 Jul 2009

    Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the Tories’ plan to scrap the FSA and revert back to pre-1997 regulation will not work.

  • Banks’ mortgage approvals at 15-month high

    23 Jul 2009

    High street banks’ mortgage approval figures have risen to a 15-month high, according to the latest data from the British Bankers Association.

  • Barclays Wealth revamps protected investment website

    24 Jul 2009

    Barclays Wealth has revamped its structured product website to help advisers’ understanding and usage of protected investments.

  • Baroness Hollis calls for equity release review

    28 Jul 2009

    Baroness Patricia Hollis has called for a formal Government review into the use of equity release for retirement funding.

  • BoE call sparks gilts sell off

    24 Jul 2009

    Gilts yields skyrocketed yesterday after the Bank of England announced it was considering putting its quantitative easing plan on hold.

  • Bravura shareholders approve recapitalisation proposal

    24 Jul 2009

    Bravura shareholders have approved the recapitalisation proposal presented to them last month by its independent directors.

  • Bright Grey records 20% rise in new business premiums

    27 Jul 2009

    Bright Grey has recorded a 20 per cent increase in new business premiums for the first six months of the year.

  • British GDP worse than expected

    24 Jul 2009

    The contraction in British GDP in the second quarter of 2009 was worse than expected, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

  • Brooks Macdonald expands team

    22 Jul 2009

    Brooks Macdonald Asset Management has appointed two investment managers and an intermediary sales manager to the firm.

  • Bupa International - Worldwide Health Options

    24 Jul 2009

    Bupa InternationalWorldwide Health Options

  • Cardif Pinnacle launches corporate cash bond

    23 Jul 2009

    Cardif Pinnacle has launched a corporate flexible asset bond enabling IFAs to earn an income from managing corporate cash.

  • Cash college

    23 Jul 2009

    I have built up considerable amounts of cash. I would now like to invest sensibly in bonds and funds to ensure my children's university fees are certain to be paid. Please also let me know what my tax position will be.

  • Cater Allen - Capital Guaranteed Defined Return Plan 2

    27 Jul 2009

    Cater AllenCapital Guaranteed Defined Return Plan 2

  • Cheap side

    23 Jul 2009

    There are some signs of positive sentiment returning to the commercial property market.

  • Class clash facing funds

    23 Jul 2009

    Leading fund managers are investigating how best to tackle the FSA retail distribution review proposals on adviser-charging after warning that plans for multiple share classes would be an administrative nightmare.

  • Clear intentions

    23 Jul 2009

    Looking back, it is hard to remember a time when the integrity of our industry has been the subject of such intense scrutiny. This comes from our critics, among our peers and, perhaps most significantly, in the eyes of the ever more financially aware consumer. Sometimes, I think this must be how it feels to be an MP.

  • Consumer Panel calls for FSA to regulate second charge mortgages

    23 Jul 2009

    Financial Services Consumer Panel chairman Adam Phillips today called for the FSA to take over second charge mortgages from the Office of Fair Trading.

  • Corporate bonds continue to top sales, IMA stats

    27 Jul 2009

    The corporate bond sector has topped sales for UK domiciled funds for the eight month in a row, according to the latest figures from the Investment Management Association.

  • Crash caller

    23 Jul 2009

    In 1997, Fred Harrison wrote to the Government and warned that it had 10 years to try to stop an impending global depression.

  • Critical condition

    23 Jul 2009

    The recent publicity over the ABI's revised statement of practice for critical-illness insurance underlines a number of things to me.

  • Curtis Banks - SSAS

    24 Jul 2009

    Curtis BanksSSAS

  • Damaged goods

    23 Jul 2009

    How badly damaged is the brand that we call "the banks" and what is the chance of them recovering consumer trust in the short and medium terms? Reviews by Sir David Walker and Lord Turner have focused on key areas, including those of non-executive director and institutional investor duties and responsibilities and remuneration structures. In the case of Turner, a key issue was the financial security of the banks.

  • Darling urges banks to lend to small businesses

    27 Jul 2009

    Chancellor Alistair Darling will today urge banks to offer more competitive rates on loans to small businesses after raising concerns that they are not lending enough.

  • Deadline dilemmas

    22 Jul 2009

    Will you be jumping through hoops to get your firm RDR compliant by the 2012 deadline following the Tories' refusal to confirm it would keep the deadline in place if elected?

  • Deposits to be ring fenced under new FSCS rules

    24 Jul 2009

    The FSA will introduce fast payout rules for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and deposits will be ring fenced where a depositor has savings and loans with the same firm.

  • Deutsche Bank - db x-trackers Hedge Fund Index ETF

    27 Jul 2009

    Deutsche Bankdb x-trackers Hedge Fund Index ETF

  • Door left ajar as Friends fends off new bid

    23 Jul 2009

    Friends Provident rejected a second approach from Resolution on Monday, claiming the proposals were "flawed in a number of significant ways".

  • Eq Life appoints former Lloyds director as CEO

    24 Jul 2009

    Equitable LIfe has appointed former Lloyds Banking group integration director Chris Wiscarson as chief executive.

  • Equitable Life court case opens

    23 Jul 2009

    The Equitable Life Members Action Group's legal challenge to the Government is due to start at the Royal Courts of Justice this week.

  • Europe to lose £100bn in credit card debt, say reports

    27 Jul 2009

    The International Monetary Fund has estimated that Europe could lose more than £100bn as a result of credit card debt, according to the Financial Times.

  • European Assets reports 8% rise

    28 Jul 2009

    The F&C-managed European Assets Trust reported an 8% rise in the six months to June 30, outperforming its benchmark, the HSBC Smaller Europe (ex UK) index, by 1%.

  • European Commission restructure bank guidelines

    24 Jul 2009

    The European Commission (EC) has restructured the guidelines on banks receiving state aid.

  • European deficit falls over quarter

    24 Jul 2009

    The current account deficit of the 27 largest countries in the European Union (EU27) reached 58.6 billion (50.65 billion) in the first quarter of this year, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, estimates.

  • Expert blend

    23 Jul 2009

    Marlborough Fund Managers has transcended its earliest admin roots to become one of the best-known boutiques in the market, offering several popular funds. Along the way, the group has built itself up by incorporating various external portfolios into its own range, often establishing the third-party admin relationship first.

  • Ex-Thinc's Chamberlain unveils IFA consolidation vehicle

    23 Jul 2009

    Former Thinc chief executive Simon Chamberlain has unveiled Succession Advisory Services, a new IFA consolidation vehicle.

  • Firm banned and fined over scheme that risked £10m

    23 Jul 2009

    The FSA has banned and fined the directors of a Yorkshire adviser firm for running an investment scheme that risked nearly £10m of investors' money.

  • Fitch says fewer banks downgraded in Q2

    27 Jul 2009

    Fitch Ratings has revealed that less world banks were downgraded in the second quarter of 2009 than in the first.

  • Flying lesson

    23 Jul 2009

    Some of my extended family often remark that they envy me as I travel regularly in Europe and North America. Any of you who frequent airports regularly will understand me when I state that air travel is far from fun most of the time.

  • FOS to accept complaints from "micro-enterprises"

    22 Jul 2009

    The Financial Ombudsman Service will accept complaints from “micro-enterprises” with a turnover of less than €2m from November this year.

  • Friends poised for Hay bid

    23 Jul 2009

    Friends Provident is understood to be lining up a bid for Santander's Sipp and wrap arm James Hay.

  • Friends Prov poised for James Hay bid

    22 Jul 2009

    Friends Provident is understood to be lining up a bid for Santander’s Sipp and wrap arm James Hay.

  • FSA confirms future ban on using inherited estate for misselling claims

    24 Jul 2009

    The FSA has confirmed that life insurance companies will not be able to pay future compensation and redress payments out of the inherited estates of their with-profits funds.

  • FSA defends internal bonuses

    23 Jul 2009

    The FSA had defended the decision to pay its staff bonuses, saying that performance related pay is necessary to ensure employees are incentivised to perform to targets.

  • FSA expenses reveal £400 a night hotel stays

    23 Jul 2009

    FSA staff have been claiming over £400 a night in expenses for hotel accommodation.

  • FSA expenses reveal £400 a night hotel stays

    22 Jul 2009

    FSA staff have been claiming over £400 a night in expenses for hotel accommodation.

  • FSA extends approved person regime

    27 Jul 2009

    The FSA has today confirmed an extension of the approved persons regime for those that perform a "significant influence" function at firms.

  • FSA extends waiver for complaints handing on overdraft charges

    22 Jul 2009

    The FSA has offered firms a new waiver from its complaints handling rules regarding unauthorised overdraft charges for up to six months.

  • FSA fines HSBC £3m

    22 Jul 2009

    The FSA has fined three HSBC firms over £3m for not having adequate systems and controls in place to protect their customers’ confidential details from being lost or stolen.

  • FSA gives Britannia green light for Co-Op merger

    24 Jul 2009

    The FSA has given Britannia building society the go ahead to merge with the Co-Operative Bank.

  • FSA stress tests life offices

    22 Jul 2009

    The FSA subjected life assurance companies to stress tests earlier this year in order to judge the level of resilience of their capital bases, according to press reports.

  • FTSE continues to rise

    24 Jul 2009

    The FTSE 100 opened at 4,556 and moved higher in morning trades as London equities received a boost from trading in the US and Asia.

  • FTSE lower after strong run

    22 Jul 2009

    The FTSE 100 opened lower this morning at 4,491 after enjoying its strongest run in four years with profit-taking leaving equities weaker.

  • FTSE winning streak loses steam

    28 Jul 2009

    The FTSE 100 opened higher at 4,588 this morning looking to notch up a new record of 12 positive sessions.

  • Funds flow into commodities

    23 Jul 2009

    Investors' appetite for commodities increased throughout June as high amounts of cash flowed into Lyxor Asset Management's exchange traded funds (ETFs).

  • Gartmore appoints head of intermediary sales

    24 Jul 2009

    Gartmore has announced the appointment of Warren Shiels to the new role of head of intermediary sales.

  • Gartmore proposes client-level charging

    23 Jul 2009

    Gartmore head of UK retail Richard Pursglove says that offering agent-based accounts with consumers rather than advisers may be a solution to the latest retail distribution review proposals for ongoing charging.

  • Gartmore’s Hellman & Friedman preferred buyer for Insight, say reports

    23 Jul 2009

    Schroders and Hellman & Friedman, the private equity firm that owns Gartmore, are among five bidders said to have tabled offers for Insight Investment, according to reports.

  • Govt considers financial education commissioner in the UK

    27 Jul 2009

    Government is looking at ways of introducing a financial education commissioner in the UK under its plans to boost financial awareness in schools.

  • Govt releases £925m to kickstart house building sector

    27 Jul 2009

    Housing minister John Healey has today announced that 270 stalled development projects across the country have been shortlisted for a share of £925m.

  • Guaranteeing your honesty

    23 Jul 2009

    Chief ombudsman Walter Merricks says the financial services industry should be proud to have a service that "guarantees their honesty".

  • Half of workers unsure of when they can afford to retire

    23 Jul 2009

    Over half of the working population do not know when they will be able to retire, a huge increase on last year, according to Barings' research.

  • Henderson profits could halve

    23 Jul 2009

    Henderson Group has warned that it expects profits to halve for the first half of this year to 25m-28m, including one quarter's contribution from New Star, down from 50.8m in 2008.

  • Herd instinct

    23 Jul 2009

    The 7th Annual Survey from the Investment Management Association, entitled, Asset Management in the UK 2008, thudded metaphorically into my inbox the other day, its 102 pages offering much food for thought. However, in keeping with these frugal times, I plan only to nibble at a couple of morsels.

  • Himsworth to join Gartmore

    28 Jul 2009

    Leigh Himsworth is leaving his post at Royal London Asset Management to take up the role of head of UK equities at Gartmore.

  • HMRC outlines new offshore disclosure initiative

    28 Jul 2009

    HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed details of a new disclosure initiative that will allow people with unpaid taxes linked to offshore accounts or assets to settle their tax liabilities at a favourable penalty rate.

  • HMRC staff suffering from low morale

    28 Jul 2009

    HM Revenue & Customs staff are suffering from low morale due to the public’s negative attitude towards them and the increased workload.

  • Hornbuckle Mitchell creates new Sipp business team

    27 Jul 2009

    Specialist Sipp provider Hornbuckle Mitchell has created a dedicated administration team responsible for its Sipp and Fipp products.

  • HSBC Insurance UK appoints head of intermediary sales

    27 Jul 2009

    HSBC Insurance UK has appointed Antony Champion as its head of intermediary sales.

  • Hundred advisers sign up to political lobby group

    23 Jul 2009

    Over 100 advisers have signed up to the political lobby group for intermediaries, the Independent Financial Advisors Political Action Committee, since its launch last week.

  • ICO working with MoJ to fast-track powers to fine

    23 Jul 2009

    The Information Commissioner’s Office is working with the Ministry of Justice to fast-track its powers to fine firms that breach its rules.

  • In Retirement goes into administration

    28 Jul 2009

    Equity release specialist In Retirement Services has gone into administration, with Deloitte being appointed as administrator of the company.

  • Insurers could take on £17bn welfare state burden, says working group

    27 Jul 2009

    Insurers could step in to meet £17bn worth of annual welfare state payments to ease the burden on the Government under proposals made by the Insurance Industry Working Group.

  • Is the end nigh for critical insurance?

    23 Jul 2009

    Income Protection Task Force co-chairman Peter Le Beau has questioned the future of critical-illness insurance products.

  • Iveah wraps Sipp around wealth fund

    22 Jul 2009

    Iveagh, the Guinness family office, has teamed up with Berkeley Burke Sipp Administration to establish the Iveagh private pension. This self-invested personal pension is set up around the Iveagh wealth fund.

  • Japan trade surplus improves

    23 Jul 2009

    Japan's balance of trade improved significantly in June on an annualised basis, although both imports and exports remain sharply down.

  • Jobs lost in Clerical merger with Widows

    23 Jul 2009

    Lloyds Banking Group is set to cut another 1,200 jobs at the start of 2010, partly due to the merger of Clerical Medical into Scottish Widows.

  • Jupiter orbits Japan

    22 Jul 2009

    Jupiter Asset ManagementJapan Select Fund

  • Keydata clients are still waiting for May payouts

    23 Jul 2009

    Keydata clients are still waiting for payouts on structured product plans which matured in May, before the firm was placed in administration.

  • Keydata plans invested with Lifemark S.A. non Isa compliant

    23 Jul 2009

    Administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers says Keydata or Lifemark products invested with Lifemark S.A have been identified as non Isa eligible and therefore could incur tax liabilities.

  • Korean economy growing at rapid pace

    24 Jul 2009

    South Korea's GDP grew 2.3% over the second quarter of 2009, its fastest pace of growth in over five years.

  • L&G launches two new online tools

    23 Jul 2009

    Legal and General has launched an online business valuation tool to help SMEs calculate how much shareholder or partnership protection they need.

  • L&G offers Bank of China loans

    27 Jul 2009

    Legal & General has revealed it is offering Bank of China mortgages through its partnership service.

  • Lawrence House reduces cash

    24 Jul 2009

    Fund of funds manager Lawrence House has reduced cash to a minimum in its portfolios because fund manager Alan Stokes felt it was more dangerous to be out of the market than in it.

  • Lenders keep moving goalposts, says Email Mortgages

    27 Jul 2009

    Email Mortgages says lenders are changing their lending criteria after offering people decisions in principle online.

  • Levy breaks consensus on GRiD relaunch

    23 Jul 2009

    Advisers are demanding a rethink on the way fees for Group Risk Development (GRiD) are being levied after the organisation raised costs by a factor of 13.

  • Liontrust - European Absolute Return Fund

    24 Jul 2009

    LiontrustEuropean Absolute Return Fund

  • Lloyds appoints Bischoff as new chairman

    27 Jul 2009

    Lloyds Banking Group has appointed Sir Win Bischoff as its new chairman.

  • Lloyds pledges role for smaller brokers

    23 Jul 2009

    Lloyds Banking Group head of intermediaries Peter Curran says the bank will not favour bigger distributors and pledges that brokers will be key to its growth plans.

  • Loanback lifeline

    23 Jul 2009

    Considered defunct, thanks to the credit crisis, small self-administered pension schemes have seen a resurgence in popularity, providing small businesses with a lifeline. In an economic climate where borrowing remains difficult, company directors can use their SSAS to borrow up to half their pension pot and repay it at an interest level of 1.5 per cent - well below the level that banks are charging.

  • LV= launches IHT campaign on guaranteed annuities

    22 Jul 2009

    LV= has launched a campaign to highlight the risk of paying unnecessary inheritance tax on guaranteed annuities.

  • Macquarie takes 20% stake in Paradigm Norton

    28 Jul 2009

    Macquarie Bank Limited has taken a minority stake of just under 20 per cent in Paradigm Norton Financial Planning.

  • MFB secures buy-to-let funding

    22 Jul 2009

    Mortgages for Business has revealed it has secured access to mortgage funding for rental properties, freehold conversions and limited companies.

  • MGM appoints CFO

    27 Jul 2009

    MGM Advantage, the retirement income firm has appointed Geoff Shanks as chief financial officer.

  • Minister rejects compensation calls for Eq Life victims

    22 Jul 2009

    Treasury chief secretary Liam Byrne has rejected Parliamentary Ombudsman Ann Abraham's calls for a compensation scheme for the victims of the Equitable Life as legal action from policyholders began yesterday.

  • Moody’s upgrades Towergate Partnership

    22 Jul 2009

    Moody’s has upgraded Towergate Partnership following the successful consolidation of Paymentshield into Towergate.

  • More US sub prime losses on way, says S&P

    23 Jul 2009

    Standard & Poor's has increased its loss projections for U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities backed by sub prime loans issued between 2005 and 2007.

  • Morgan Stanley features market timing

    24 Jul 2009

    Morgan Stanley has introduced a structured product that has a market timing feature to select the best entry point into the FTSE 100 index at the start of its five-year term.

  • Mortgageforce expands North East business

    27 Jul 2009

    Mortgageforce has expanded its operation in the North East to bolster its referral service with Leeds building society.

  • MPC reveals hope for easing success

    22 Jul 2009

    The Monetary Policy Committee says it is hopeful that the £125bn quantitative easing strategy will increase credit supplies in the UK economy.

  • My office, now

    24 Jul 2009

    Next week Chancellor Alistair Darling will be ordering the heads of all the UK banks to Downing Street to explain why they are still not lending more to homeowners and small businesses.

  • Nationwide - Four-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

    24 Jul 2009

    NationwideFour-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

  • Nationwide - One-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

    24 Jul 2009

    NationwideOne-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

  • Network Data ARs to lose £5m in commission

    23 Jul 2009

    The administrator of Network Data says it is unlikely that former appointed representatives will get any of the commission they are owed, which could total around £5m.

  • Network Data ARs to lose up to £5m in commission

    22 Jul 2009

    The administrator of Network Data says it is unlikely that former appointed representatives will get any of the commission they are owed, which could total around £5m.

  • Neutral grounds

    23 Jul 2009

    Last month, we released the initial findings of our third GB Investor Report based on an online survey of over 4,000 retail investors. This shows that, in May 2009, the IMA Investor Confidence index turned slightly positive, with the index indicating that investors on the whole are still neutral about putting money into new investments or increasing existing investments.

  • New EU laws may see RBS and Lloyds broken up

    24 Jul 2009

    Both RBS and Lloyds Banking Group have sent proposals to the European Commission that could see the banks restructured and reduced to fit with new laws.

  • Northern Rock compensation appeal rejected

    28 Jul 2009

    Former shareholders in Northern Rock had their appeal for a judicial review seeking compensation from the Government rejected by the Court of Appeal today.

  • Nothing out of the ordinary

    23 Jul 2009

    In forming a judgement on the FSA’s proposals for the new professional standards of competence and ethics for IFAs, as set out in the document published in June on delivering the RDR, it is useful to compare those standards with those which the law would imply and impose in any event.

  • Now the Tories should turn to the RDR

    23 Jul 2009

    The Conservatives' plans to abolish the FSA and set up a new body whose remit would include regulating advisers deserve serious attention, given current opinion polls.

  • OECD report on default DC funds "misses the point"

    23 Jul 2009

    The OECD has missed the point in calling for regulators to put a cap on the percentage of defined contribution pension schemes invested in risky assets according to an adviser.

  • Old Mutual Fund Managers - Global Equity Absolute Return Fund

    24 Jul 2009

    Old Mutual Fund ManagersGlobal Equity Absolute Return Fund

  • Old Mutual Fund Managers - UK Dynamic Equity Fund

    22 Jul 2009

    Old Mutual Fund ManagersUK Dynamic Equity Fund

  • Old Mutual Uk dynamic provides comfort factor

    22 Jul 2009

    Old Mutual UK dynamic equity fund aims for growth in rising and falling markets by combining a best ideas long portfolio with a shorting strategy using derivatives.

  • Omo breakthrough

    23 Jul 2009

    This month has seen one of the biggest developments in the promotion of the open market option for annuities that I can remember. I am not talking about the launch of the industry trade body aiming to promote a greater range of retirement options but the sight of a clever and engaging TV commercial promoting retirees' right to shop around into millions of homes around the UK.

  • Panel against ban on complex plans

    23 Jul 2009

    The Financial Services Consumer Panel says it would be wrong for consumers to be banned from accessing more complex products.

  • Paragon reveals £30m profit

    28 Jul 2009

    The Paragon Group has revealed pre-tax profits of more than £30m over the last quarter.

  • Park Row £7m in red and may need more aid

    23 Jul 2009

    Park Row lost £7.4m last year and says it may need further financial support from parent company Royal Liver, depending on the outcome of an FSA investigation.

  • Passive pursuit

    23 Jul 2009

    One of the ways I ensure my CPD log is up to date is to attend G&N investment trust seminars. There are a number of reasons for this. First, they are conveniently held in the heart of the City, not far from where I have an office. Second, those presenting are investment trust managers and I have a soft spot for this, the granddaddy of the professional investment management movement.

  • Pensions Regulator shines spotlight on DC schemes

    23 Jul 2009

    The Pensions Regulator says it will be focusing on promoting higher standards for defined contribution pension schemes in the run up to 2012 and the introduction of personal accounts.

  • Pensions Regulator switches focus from DB to DC schemes

    22 Jul 2009

    The Pensions Regulator says it will be focusing on promoting higher standards for defined contribution pension schemes in the run up to 2012 and the introduction of personal accounts.

  • Practitioner Panel calls for FSA to justify levy

    23 Jul 2009

    The Financial Services Practitioner Panel has called for the FSA to provide higher quality supervision of firms in order to justify the increased levies it is demanding.

  • Principal demotes Luckraft funds to blacklist

    27 Jul 2009

    Principal Investment Management has blacklisted George Luckraft’s Axa Framlington equity income and monthly income funds as part of its latest income study.

  • Proof positive

    23 Jul 2009

    I enjoyed and endured a recent appointment in equal measure. My clients are a 65 and 60-year-old couple running short of finances to finalise the refurbishment of their home. I had been working with them for three weeks before I met with them to answer their last questions and complete paperwork.

  • Provider risk equally important as counterparty, says Barclays Wealth

    27 Jul 2009

    Barclays Wealth director Colin Dickie says the demise of Keydata has highlighted the importance of understanding ‘provider risk’ when assessing protected investments.

  • Pru proceeds with caution

    24 Jul 2009

    PrudentialPruFund Cautious Fund

  • Public confused by wide choice

    23 Jul 2009

    FSA chairman Lord Turner may have signalled a change of direction in conduct of business regulation last week when he questioned whether consumers have too much investment choice.

  • PwC to pay Keydata income payments gross after verifying tax status

    28 Jul 2009

    Administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers is to pay income payments in gross on some Keydata plans after it has satisfied itself of their tax position.

  • Rally not sustainable says OPM

    24 Jul 2009

    OPM Fund Management is taking a cautious view of the markets and expects to lock in some profits because it does not think the current market rally is sustainable.

  • Rathbone merges funds to make recovery

    27 Jul 2009

    Rathbone Unit Trust Managers has created the Rathbone recovery fund by merging its smaller companies and special situations funds.

  • Rathbone Unit Trust Managers - Recovery Fund

    24 Jul 2009

    Rathbone Unit Trust ManagersRecovery Fund

  • RBS appoints Felstead as intermediary head

    24 Jul 2009

    Graham Felstead has been appointed director of intermediary mortgages and direct brands for RBS Mortgages.

  • RBS Intermediary Partners - NatWest Buy-To-Let 2 Year Tracker

    24 Jul 2009

    RBS Intermediary PartnersNatWest Buy-To-Let 2 Year Tracker

  • RBS Intermediary Partners - RBS 2 Year Tracker Government Backed Shared Equity

    24 Jul 2009

    RBS Intermediary PartnersRBS 2 Year Tracker Government Backed Shared Equity

  • Recession over and recovery will be ‘V’-shaped, says Argonaut’s Norris

    28 Jul 2009

    Argonaut Capital managing partner Barry Norris believes there are clear signs the recession in Europe is over and that the recovery will be ‘V’-shaped.

  • Resolution to consult shareholders on Friends deal

    27 Jul 2009

    Resolution says it is considering its position on a deal with Friends Provident and will consult further with shareholders, following Friends' rejection of its latest offer.

  • Roger Dossett to leave Henderson New Star

    27 Jul 2009

    Henderson New Star head of property Roger Dossett is to leave the firm later this year.

  • RPS granted interim sale and rent back authorisation

    28 Jul 2009

    Residential Property Solutions has been granted interim authorisation by the FSA to conduct sale and rent back business.

  • RSM Bentley Jennison FM acquires Abercombie

    23 Jul 2009

    RSM Bentley Jennison Financial Management has acquired Abercombie Pension and Investment Planning Ltd.

  • RWC bolsters team ahead of US launches

    28 Jul 2009

    RWC Partners has appointed a team of managers to work with Mike Corcell ahead of the launch of its US long short funds.

  • Sailing to raise cash for heroes

    23 Jul 2009

    Personal Finance Society chief executive Fay Goddard and Nicholls Stevens adviser Gill Cardy will be participating in the Clipper Round the Island Race on August 1 and 2.

  • Sales letter missed the point

    23 Jul 2009

    As any journalist who covers the financial services industry will tell you, there is a lot of turgid writing about. By that, I am not, of course, referring to any of my colleagues, whose limpid prose graces the pages of this paper and many other personal finance sections, magazines and websites.

  • Scot Prov enhances CI proposition

    23 Jul 2009

    Scottish Provident is enhancing its critical illness product range by adding a number of new conditions.

  • Segregate platforms to cut out confusion

    23 Jul 2009

    The Platforum managing director Holly Mackay wants segregation of the platform market to avoid consumer confusion.

  • Short on patients

    23 Jul 2009

    I had to respond to to the letter in Money Marketing headed, Doctor's orders, concerning GPs being paid by pharmaceutical companies and overprescribing.

  • Should we regulate based on fear?

    24 Jul 2009

    Be afraid. Be very afraid. That clearly is the message that the FSA wants the financial services sector to take from its review of financial penalties, now the subject of a consultation exercise.

  • Simplybiz in back to front Intelliflo deal

    23 Jul 2009

    Simplybiz has teamed up with Intelliflo to launch a front and back-office system for its 5,000 members.

  • Sir David Cooksey appointed UKFI chairman

    28 Jul 2009

    Chancellor Alistair Darling has appointed former Bank of England director Sir David Cooksey as chairman of UK Financial Investments.

  • Skandia calls for independent body to police decency limits

    22 Jul 2009

    Skandia has called for an independent body to police RDR decency limits.

  • Skandia questions cost claims on ETFs

    23 Jul 2009

    Skandia says claims about ETFs being the cheapest investment solution could be misleading.

  • Skills Council calls for industry views

    22 Jul 2009

    The Financial Services Skills Council is urging stakeholders to participate in an online survey about the skills, needs, challenges and role of the FSSC moving forward.

  • Skipton reveals £17m profits for Q2

    28 Jul 2009

    Skipton building society has revealed pre-tax profits of £17m in the second quarter of this year.

  • Solicitor referrals must only be made to independent advisers, says SRA

    22 Jul 2009

    The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority has confirmed that referrals of clients by solicitors for financial advice may only be made to independent financial advisers.

  • Special situations

    23 Jul 2009

    The 50 per cent additional rate for those with incomes above £150,000 is a relatively easy to consider and important headline. It has certainly attracted a lot of attention.

  • Split-cap debacle casts doubt on zeros' surge

    23 Jul 2009

    Industry experts are divided on whether there will be a big increase in zero-dividend preference share issues due to the memories of the split-cap debacle.

  • Stay out of way of fund firm aims, says IMA

    23 Jul 2009

    The Investment Management Association has called for authorities to stay out of debates around the best way to manage money following the publication of the Walker review.

  • Steady States

    23 Jul 2009

    The US market had an incredibly strong run from early March until early June, with the Russell 2500 index up by an impressive 51.3 per cent. The rally was sparked by the announcement of the US treasury public private investment programme and was sustained by positive signs of stabilisation in leading indicators of economic activity.

  • Stock-picking to shift away from macro-call, says Royal London’s Stewart

    22 Jul 2009

    Royal London’s Victoria Stewart says macro-calls on stocks will be overtaken by the search for individual companies that are winners in the recovery.

  • Structured argument

    23 Jul 2009

    I note with interest the "structured argument" put forward by Chris Taylor and Kerry Nelson and it seems to me that Kerry Nelson is trying to "have her cake and eat it too".

  • Succession adds four fund managers to investment matrix

    28 Jul 2009

    Succession Advisory Services has announced the addition of Schroders, F&C, Jupiter and Swip to its investment matrix.

  • The Customer Impact Panel issues recommendations for scheme members

    23 Jul 2009

    The Customer Impact Panel has set out a series of recommendations for members of the Customer Impact Scheme in its annual report today.

  • The end of 30-year fixes

    22 Jul 2009

    Manchester Building Society is withdrawing its 30-year fixed-rate loan, the last of its kind on the market.

  • The Income Outcome

    23 Jul 2009

    In the wake of the credit crunch, all the key traditional income areas need extra care right now – equities face dividend cuts, defaults rising for corporate debt, inflation risks for government bonds as well as tenant delinquencies and gearing issues for property and negligible rates on deposits.

  • Time to end the ignorance

    24 Jul 2009

    Structured product critics have revelled in the collapse of Keydata but without good reason.

  • Tories may scrap tax credits for £50,000 households

    27 Jul 2009

    The Conservatives may scrap tax credit payments to middle-income households in a bid to reduce Government spending.

  • Tories must offer greater RDR clarity

    23 Jul 2009

    The Conservative Party’s radical plans to scrap the FSA, pass prudential regulation to the Bank of England and set up a Consumer Protection Agency leave more than a few question marks surrounding the retail distribution review.

  • Tories sharpen axe for FSA

    23 Jul 2009

    The Conservatives have set out their plans for the abolition of the FSA, with prudential powers to be passed to the Bank of England and a new body to regulate advisers.

  • Tories won't commit to 2012 on RDR

    23 Jul 2009

    The Conservatives have refused to make a commitment to a 2012 deadline for compliance with the retail distribution review after announcing plans to scrap the FSA.

  • Turner says political uncertainty a "fact of democratic life"

    23 Jul 2009

    The Financial Services Authority chairman Adair Turner said the Conservative party’s proposal to scrap the FSA increases uncertainty for the industry but added that it is simply a fact of democratic life.

  • Turner says SEP fee increases are a "one-off"

    23 Jul 2009

    FSA chairman Adair Turner says that FSA fee increases are a one-off and the industry will not face further rises for the supervisory enhancement program in the future.

  • Two thirds of advisers fail Which? equity release test

    23 Jul 2009

    Two thirds of advisers failed to pass all of Which?’s benchmarks for equity release advice in a recent set of mystery shops.

  • Upbeat reports on Asia

    23 Jul 2009

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says emerging East Asian economies could bounce back to strong growth next year.

  • US govt aim to curb ratings agencies

    22 Jul 2009

    The United States Treasury Department is hoping to limit the powers of the three credit rating agencies.

  • We need more 90% choices

    23 Jul 2009

    I will start my column by apologising for the drop in quality from my regular articles. My professional ghost writer, Melanie Bien, is awaiting the arrival of her first child and the tried and tested method of my ideas and her words is on hold for three months. For now, you will have to make do with my ideas and my words.

  • What choice for care?

    23 Jul 2009

    Health Secretary Andy Burnham has unveiled the Government's Green Paper for adult social care and called for a dignified debate into the fate of Britain's elderly.

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