Money Marketing
29 April 2009

Cross-border fund groups ‘will target UK’

1 May 2009
£1Bn a day gilt sales needed to cover debt

30 Apr 2009

Gilts are artificially overpriced, with the Government facing "a monumental target" to shift enough to cover the national debt in the next few years, according to LibDem Treasury spokesman Lord Oakeshott.
39 Network Data reps apply to join PTFS

30 Apr 2009

Personal Touch Financial Services says that 39 Network Data appointed representatives have applied to join its network in just one month.
92% Of IFAs don't back Isa age limit

30 Apr 2009

A Money Marketing straw poll reveals that 92 per cent of IFAs believe the new Isa age limit is unnecessary.
A bit of straight talking is needed

1 May 2009

Changing the lexicon alone could make the subject far more interesting. For example the Australians refer to their retirement provision as superannuation, invariably shortened to Supers, a far more positive noun.
A little disclosure can make all the difference

1 May 2009

Claims experience is an essential piece of information when insurers price a risk. Knowing whether the policyholder has made a claim can give a good picture of the type of risk the insurer is taking on and enable it to be priced accurately.
A part of the union

1 May 2009

A defender of public sector pension liabilities, an opponent of greater risk sharing on final salary schemes and a supporter of the Government's approach to qualifying earnings. TUC assistant general secretary Kay Carberry may be at odds with many pension professionals, but she rejects the view that unions are intransigent bystanders content to watch pensions fall.
Abbey's Q1 profits up 25%

29 Apr 2009

Abbey has reported first quarter profits were up by more than 25 per cent on last year at £372m.
Aberdeen completes first stage of Credit Suisse deal

1 May 2009

Aberdeen Asset Management has announced the completion of the first stage of its deal to acquire parts of the Credit Suisse Asset Management business.
Aberdeen remains acquisitive

5 May 2009
Aberdeen sees pre-tax profits slashed

5 May 2009

Aberdeen Asset Management has announced a pre-tax profit fall of 45 per cent in the six months up to March 31, 2009.
Absurdity of setting deadline without an exam

30 Apr 2009

It beggars belief that neither the FSA, the Financial Services Skills Council, nor the various examination providers have any definitive idea of what exam content is actually necessary to qualify for QCA level 4 standard.
Adviser Fund Index: Settling the score

30 Apr 2009

Research from Standard & Poor's last week supplied more firepower to the supporters of passive fund management.
Aegon pays 25% initial cash on GPP

30 Apr 2009

Aegon Scottish Equitable is paying up to 25 per cent initial commission for group personal pension business.
Age cap holds back Isa rise

30 Apr 2009

After years of pressure from the financial services industry, the Government has finally decided to raise the annual Isa allowance by £3,000.
Aifa says prudential rules could force 25 per cent of IFAs to leave

30 Apr 2009

The Association of Independent Financial Advisers believes that the FSA's proposed prudential rules for personal investment firms will force good firms out of the industry.
Aifa wants tied agents to be called company reps

30 Apr 2009

The Association of Independent Financial Advisers is calling for the sales adviser label proposed under the retail distribution review to be changed to "company representatives".
Allianz to reap European rewards

5 May 2009

Allianz Global InvestorsRCM European Equity Income Fund
Alternative to Flex

1 May 2009

Contrary to the group risk article 'Flex through the back door' (April 2009) we have found that businesses are looking for alternative cost efficient ways to offer group income protection other than through flex.
AMII speakers confirmed

1 May 2009

The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) has confirmed the CII's business development director of financial services, Steve Jenkins and motivational speaker Jim Lawless as keynote speakers for its annual conference.
AMPS gets improved terms from HMRC

1 May 2009

The Association of Member-directed Pension Schemes (AMPS) has successfully negotiated improved pension practice with HM Revenue & Customs to overcome issues made worse by the current adverse economic climate.
An automatic sucess

1 May 2009

Employees in the US and Australia are continuing to save for retirement despite falling balances but they are sharply questioning fees and charges, according to pension experts invited to speak at recent Friends Provident Global Forum events.
An education for employers

30 Apr 2009

The Pensions Regulator will share data with Government departments including HM Revenue & Customs in a bid to identify employers that are likely to fail to comply with the new pension regulations coming into force in 2012.
Analysis: American GDP fall worse than expected

29 Apr 2009

America’s real GDP fell by an annual rate of 6.1% in the first quarter of 2009.
Antony Williams

30 Apr 2009

Evolve Financial Planning was the first financial adviser firm to become chartered and managing director Antony Williams is committed to doing his bit to raise professional standards in the industry.
Arc and Investec explore income

30 Apr 2009

Arc Capital & Income and Investec Structured Products have both introduced five-year FTSE 100 linked plans that provide income.
Arc expands product range

29 Apr 2009

Arc Capital & Income has launched a new ‘bricks and mortar’ plan based upon the Halifax House Price Index.
ASA looks to ban daytime secured loan adverts

29 Apr 2009

The Advertising Standards Authority has hinted that it may use its powers to ban all secured loan adverts on daytime TV, according to the Independent.
Ascentric launches low cost pension account

1 May 2009

Ascentric has launched its low cost pension account for advisers.
Auto-enrol to cut cover gap

30 Apr 2009

Employee auto-enrolment into protection policies combined with tax relief would help close the protection gap, says Association of British Insurers assistant director of health and protection Nick Kirwan.
Aviva steps up vetting of advisers

30 Apr 2009

Aviva is tightening up its vetting system of IFAs placing group personal pension business in a bid to improve persistency.
Aviva UK life and pension sales fall 12%

30 Apr 2009

Aviva's UK life and pension business fell by 12 per cent to £2.5bn from £2.8bn in the first quarter of 2009 compared with last year.
Axa questions NICE approach to long term sickness

1 May 2009
Axa Winterthur launches family group Sipp with scheme pension

1 May 2009

Axa Winterthur Wealth Management is launching a group Sipp to allow family members and others access to scheme pension, efficient pooled investment options and enhanced income withdrawals and allowing inheritance tax to be minimised.
Banks caused their own demise say MPs

1 May 2009

Banks have been the principal authors of their own demise according to a damning report from the Treasury select committee released today.
Banks extend FTSE gains

30 Apr 2009

The FSE opened higher this morning at 4,204 on yesterday’s close of 4,190 with banks pushing ahead in early trades.
Barclays Global Investors - i-Shares FTSE Developed World ex-UK

30 Apr 2009

Barclays Global Investorsi-Shares FTSE Developed World ex-UK
Barclays Global Investors - iShares FTSE UK Gilts 0-5 years

5 May 2009

Barclays Global InvestorsiShares FTSE UK Gilts 0-5 years
Barclays Global Investors - i-Shares MSCI Europe ex-EMU

30 Apr 2009

Barclays Global Investorsi-Shares MSCI Europe ex-EMU
Barclays Global Investors - i-Shares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan

30 Apr 2009

Barclays Global Investorsi-Shares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan
Barclays Global Investors -iShares Barclays Euro Government Bond 5-7

5 May 2009

Barclays Global InvestorsiShares Barclays Euro Government Bond 5-7
Barclays Wealth launches Fixed Rate Bond

5 May 2009
Barclays Wealth reissues super tracker with S&P 500 option

5 May 2009

Barclays Wealth is reissuing its super tracker plan with an option for investors to access exposure to the US stock market.
Battle of the eaps

1 May 2009

The more sophisticated employee assistance programmes cater for such a wide range of employee and employer requirements that quantifying their return on investment is never likely to be an exact science.
Beer & Partners launches guide to help SMEs secure funding

30 Apr 2009

Business investment agency Beer & Partners has launched an online guide to help small businesses secure funding in the downturn.
Beware of headless chickens with machine guns

30 Apr 2009

Regulation has got too clever for its own good and now no one is quite sure what is allowed or not, even the regulator.
Beware reckless caution

1 May 2009

We are in danger of ushering in an era of reckless caution. Equities are meant to be the workhorse of pension growth, yet headline after headline keeps telling us how badly they have performed in recent years.
Blue Sky reissues twin wrapper growth plans

29 Apr 2009

Blue Sky Asset Management has reissued its ‘twin wrapper’ capital protected FTSE 100 growth plans.
Bond building

30 Apr 2009

It has all been about corporate bonds of late. According to Cofunds, 50 per cent of all sales in the first quarter of the year have gone into fixed- interest funds, 39 per cent alone into the corporate bond sector.
Boots bank could win public trust

30 Apr 2009

High-street brands such as Boots could become more trusted providers of financial services than banks, says brokerage London & Country.
Broker Talkback

30 Apr 2009

Will the cuts to higher-rate tax relief on pension contributions for those earning more than £150,000 have a damaging effect on pension saving?No 50%Yes 50%
Building society mortgage figures double in March

1 May 2009

Mortgage approvals by building societies doubled in March to more than £1.5bn.
Bulstrode joins Skandia as CFO

29 Apr 2009
Bulstrode joins Skandia as CFO

29 Apr 2009
Buyout guide from ABI

1 May 2009

Buy-out firms reported a 50 per cent increase of funds under management, of £22 billion to the end of 2008, according to figures released by the ABI. The pensions of over half a million people are now covered by these funds. The ABI has produced a guide for trustees and companies explaining how bulk insured pensions work.
Capital disregard changes could boost equity release

30 Apr 2009

The equity-release sector has welcomed Budget changes to the capital disregard limits which are now in line with many equity-release drawdown minimums.
Caught up in complexity

30 Apr 2009

My late father was active in the Labour Party and I met several MPs and activists as a child.
Check the rates on FSA fee form

30 Apr 2009

Advisers who have received an FSA invoice for their 2009/10 fees and who plan to pay by installments via Premier Credit Limited should check the interest charges on their application form. Forms sent in March and April may quote old charges of 9.2 per cent APR or 7.8 per cent APR for trade body members. The FSA has agreed a new deal with Premier Credit offering 9 per cent and 7.5 per cent.
CII to give credits for prior learning

1 May 2009

Advisers working towards the Chartered Insurance Institute’s diploma or advanced diploma in financial planning can now gain credits for prior study under its Accreditation of Prior Learning scheme.
Clear conscience

1 May 2009

I read with interest and frustration James Daley's article, 'Stamp out this racket' in the April edition.
Clear horizons

30 Apr 2009

Over the years, the Government's various crusades within the wonderful world of financial services have inspired a range of emotions in me - although rarely has optimism been one of them.
CML chief says don't blame lenders

30 Apr 2009

Council of Mortgage Lenders chairman Matthew Wyles says lenders are not to blame for the "dysfunctional" loan market.
Cofunds makes first profit

29 Apr 2009
Cofunds moves into black in its first profitable year

30 Apr 2009

Cofunds has reported operating profits for 2008 of £400,000 in its first profitable year since its launch in 2001.
Cofunds posts £400,000 profit for 2008

29 Apr 2009

Cofunds has reported operating profit for 2008 of £400,000 in its first profitable year since its launch in 2001.
Confidence tricks

30 Apr 2009

Last week's Budget was memorable for what it failed to do for the housing market rather than the "underwhelming" measures the Chancellor did lay down.
Co-op billed for blunders

30 Apr 2009

An adviser is threatening to take Co-operative Insurance to the small claims court after it refused to pay him compensation for work spent remedying its errors and processing delays on a client's annuity transfer.
Corporate bonds top fund sales

30 Apr 2009

Figures from the IMA show the corporate bond sector was the most popular UK-domiciled net retail sector in March with inflows of £935.1m.
Corporate Isa launched by L&G

1 May 2009

Legal & General is launching a corporate Isa and has just rolled out a group Sipp to Morrisons Group.
Credit where credit's due

29 Apr 2009

If you’ve already received an invoice from the FSA for your 2009/10 regulatory fees, you might want to double check the application form from Premier Credit.
Critical illness rising but pessimism over GIP - Group Watch 2009

1 May 2009

Group income protection business volumes failed to keep up with inflation in 2008 but critical illness business soared 22 per cent, according to Group Watch 2009 from Swiss Re.
Dampier fears buyers' strike over gilt plans

30 Apr 2009

Hargreaves Lansdown head of research Mark Dampier says he is concerned that the Government's plan for a £220bn bond issuance could lead to a buyers' strike in the market.
Darling does not rule out early Northern Rock sale

29 Apr 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling has not ruled out an early sale of Northern Rock if the price is right.
Darling failed on the home front

30 Apr 2009

Although the Chancellor had, admittedly, little money to give away in his second Budget, it is a real shame that so little was done to kickstart the housing market.
Darling says "no science" behind £150,000 tax threshold

29 Apr 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling has admitted that there is no scientific reason for setting the higher rate tax threshold at £150,000 and says this level was chosen simply on his own judgement.
Darling tinkering further erodes faith in pensions

30 Apr 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling's second outing with the red box was, overall, something of a non-event. The Treasury outlook was as gloomy as expected and the measures announced to tackle the economy were small fry compared with the colossal sums already committed by the Government.
Death of Money Portal chairman Richard Hambro

30 Apr 2009

Money Portal non-executive director Richard Hambro died on Saturday, April 25.
Diverse reaction

30 Apr 2009

Many adviser firms are looking for new sources of income to help them through the economic downturn and it is not surprising that this trend is showing on the regulator's radar as a potential TCF risk.
Do they really know the risks?

1 May 2009

The massive falls in value seen across a range of asset classes over the past year has undoubtedly left many DC members disillusioned with the performance of their pensions and re-evaluating their attitude to risk.
Don’t Panic!

1 May 2009

We know that employee inertia is one of our biggest issues in the corporate pensions market and often means that employees do not join a DC pension scheme that offers a matching employer contribution. DWP figures suggest that take up ratesin DC pensions are as low as 50%. This has been one of the factors that have lead to the proposed Employer Responsibilities and Personal Accounts model. The Government sees the introduction of auto-enrolment increasing the take up of DC pensions, ...
EC calls for two-year limit on directors' severance pay

29 Apr 2009

The European Commission is recommending that the remuneration of directors and employees in the financial services sector should promote sound and effective risk management.
EC state aid approval given to venture capital schemes

29 Apr 2009

Enterprise investment schemes, venture capital trusts and corporate venturing schemes have each received formal state aid approval from the European Commission.
Emerging from the shade

1 May 2009

It wasn't so long ago that investors were waxing lyrical about emerging markets. Performance figures were mouth watering, with Latin American funds leading the way delivering returns in excess of 300 per cent over a three-year period to 2006.
Employee Assistance Programmes - what price health and wellbeing?

1 May 2009

Staff health and wellbeing lies at the heart of goodperformance and absence management strategies.
Europe cracks down on credit rating agencies

5 May 2009
Europe proposes regulation of alternative investment fund managers

29 Apr 2009

The European Commission has proposed a directive on alternative investment fund managers that will require them to be authorised and subject to “harmonised regulatory standards” on an ongoing basis.
European Commission to ramp up protection on investment products

29 Apr 2009

The European Commission has committed to improving investor protection for core investment products bought by retail investors.
Evershed joins Hargreave Hale

29 Apr 2009
Ex-A&L's Banks to be MD at B&B

30 Apr 2009

Bradford & Bingley has appointed ex-Alliance & Leicester head of commercial banking Richard Banks as its new managing director.
Ex-Skandia chief takes investment role with InSynergy

30 Apr 2009

Insynergy has appointed former Skandia group investment director Jim Roberts to head its investment committee.
Family features

30 Apr 2009

The arrival of a provider of the magnitude of Axa Winterthur into the family Sipp sector looks certain to catch the eye of IFAs keen to give clients an advice-rich experience. Clients wanting to reduce their inheritance tax bill will also find the concept appealing.
Fidelity's Bolton believes bull market has begun

30 Apr 2009

Fidelity International president of investments Anthony Bolton believes a bull market has already kicked off in equities and that financial shares are set to drive recent gains higher.
First stage of Credit Suisse acquisition complete

1 May 2009
Foreign Office launches financial advice centres for expats in Spain

1 May 2009

The Foreign Office has launched one-to-one advice in Spain for British expatriates trapped by the credit crunch and the falling value of the pound against the euro.
Forestall plan misses point

30 Apr 2009

The Treasury's move to prevent investors from maximising pension contributions before 2011 is "unworkable" for higher-earners with erratic income streams, says Beachcroft Regulatory Consulting.
Friends protection deal with Tesco

30 Apr 2009

Friends Provident has agreed to provide protection products for Tesco Personal Finance. The firm has distribution deals with estate agent Countrywide and Greenbee, the insurance arm of John Lewis Partnership.
Friends Prov poaches SL’s Bourke as CFO

1 May 2009

Friends Provident has appointed Evelyn Bourke as chief financial officer.
FSA bans East London mortgage broker

30 Apr 2009

The Financial Services Authority has banned an East London broker for fraudulent mortgage applications.
FSA issues first combined ban and fine for mismarking trading positions

29 Apr 2009

The FSA has banned and fined a BlueCrest Capital Management Limited former portfolio manager £35,000 for deliberately mismarking his positions.
FSA releases statement on Swine Flu outbreak

1 May 2009

The Financial Services Authority has called on all regulated firms to assess their contingency plans to consider what steps they may need to take to address possible issues following the outbreak of Swine Flu.
FTSE hits 4-month high

5 May 2009

The FTSE 100 opened higher today with banking stocks pushing the index to its highest intraday level since mid-January.
FTSE rally fizzles

1 May 2009

The FTSE 100 opened lower today at 4,238 as some of London’s equities lost their steam following news that US bank stress tests would be delayed.
FTSE recovery led by financials

29 Apr 2009

The FTSE 100 pulled back from losses in the previous two sessions with banking stocks lifting London equities higher.
Funds selling defensives to pick up on market rally

30 Apr 2009

Fund managers have started to scale down exposure to defensive stocks in a bid to tap into the recent rally in markets, according to research by Financial Express.
Gain from falls

30 Apr 2009

The dark cloud of reduced asset values could have a silver lining for estate planners. Lifetime giving of assets that are thought to carry the prospect of increasing in value has always been high on the checklist of things to consider for estate planners.
Gartmore follows up absolute returns

1 May 2009

Gartmore has brought out a UK absolute return fund hot on the heels of its European absolute return fund.
Gartmore is defensive on UK equities

30 Apr 2009

Gartmore is maintaining an underweight position in the UK within its core multi-manager funds and says the economy still faces significant headwinds.
Gilt spree isn't paying off

30 Apr 2009

Leading economists say the Bank of England's quantitative easing measure has done nothing to improve the economic situation.
Good FeeSaver from A&L

1 May 2009

Alliance & LeicesterFour Year FeeSaver Fixed
Govt's mortgage rescue scheme has only helped one household

30 Apr 2009

Only one household has been helped by the Government's Mortgage Rescue Scheme since it launched in January.
Hargreaves axes group Sipp manager in strategic shift

29 Apr 2009

Hargreaves Lansdown group Sipp business development manager Dave Petchey has been made redundant as the firm admits it is changing its distribution strategy due to cost pressures.
Hartford suspends variable annuity business in the UK

1 May 2009

The Hartford has revealed it is to suspend all sales in the UK including variable annuity business as it posted a £818m loss in the first quarter across the global group.
Helm appoints head of operations

29 Apr 2009

Helm Godfrey has appointed Graham Cross to the position of head of operations.
High brow

30 Apr 2009

If, like me, you are all Budgeted out, you won't necessarily thank me for returning to last week's exercise in unrestrained optimism from the Chancellor with the strangest eyebrows since Denis Healey.
Home truths

30 Apr 2009

Are we seeing the beginning of another cultural revolution? Chairman Mao and Margaret Thatcher were both instigators and architects of their very own cultural revolutions which changed the face of their nations.
House prices drop in April

30 Apr 2009

The price of a typical house fell by 0.4 per cent in April according to the latest Nationwide House Price Index.
Housing agency seeks pension fund investment in rental properties

30 Apr 2009

The Homes and Communities Agency has revealed that it is seeking private investors, including pension funds, to help build new rental properties.
HSBC launches personal pension based on multi-manager portfolios

5 May 2009

HSBC has launched a personal pension based on its multi-manager, multi-asset class and world selection portfolios.
IFAP launches research panel

30 Apr 2009

IFA Promotion has teamed up with Opinium Research to launch a new research panel, Independent Voice.
IFAs help strong SHIP Q1 results

1 May 2009

Safe Homes Income Plans says the increase in IFA equity release business has attributed to a solid Q1 2009.
IMA head urges shareholder activism

1 May 2009

The asset management industry should use its power to hold companies to account on behalf of shareholders, the chairman of the Investment Management Association (IMA) argued yesterday.
IMA head urges shareholder activism

5 May 2009
Intelliflo records 65 per cent profit increase

1 May 2009

Intelliflo has recorded a £1.6m total net profit for 2008, a 65 per cent increase on 2007.
Japan revises growth forecast

30 Apr 2009
Just Retirement annuity sales fall 13 per cent

30 Apr 2009

Just Retirement's annuity sales dropped 13 per cent to £127.5m in the three months to March, 31.
KRS teams up with Home of Choice in referral tie-up

30 Apr 2009

Home of Choice will now be using Key Retirement Solutions for all its equity release referrals.
Labour is putting Isas before pensions

30 Apr 2009

The one thing that stands out in the Budget is that there appears to have been nothing at all on pensions except a cut in the tax relief on contributions from people earning £150,000 or more.
Lazard UK alpha increases exposure to real estate

29 Apr 2009

Lazard Asset Management is taking a contrarian play on real estate funds and building its position to the sector within its UK alpha fund.
Lets chance

1 May 2009

With the Euro strong, the base rate low and more Britons staying home for their holidays, suggestions that the time is right to invest in holiday let properties are beginning to be heard. But the experts advise such an investment decision is not to be taken lightly. And if you do dip your toe in the water, do it in the most tax-efficient way possible.
Lighthouse offers select Network Data ARs £3,750 bonus

1 May 2009

Lighthouse has sent out multiple contracts to Network Data appointed representatives enticing some with as much as £3,750 in bonuses depending on the amount of business written over their first 12 months.
Liontrust widens fund range

30 Apr 2009

Liontrust is looking to bolster its fund range with a global equities product and a world ex US fund.
Lloyds to phase out Clerical Medical brand under restructure

29 Apr 2009
Make a match

30 Apr 2009

Coming out of the credit crisis, it is obvious to any observer that the market has undergone significant change. Those who are trying to take out a mortgage are finding that their choice has been significantly reduced.
Manager focus: Jeremy Hall

29 Apr 2009
Manager focus: John Coyle

5 May 2009
Manager focus: Stephen Yorke

30 Apr 2009
Martin Currie conserves its energy

30 Apr 2009

Martin CurrieGlobal Energy Fund
Matrix Group - Ascension Fund

30 Apr 2009

Matrix GroupAscension Fund
Meteor Asset Management - Prima Growth Plan 15

30 Apr 2009

Meteor Asset ManagementPrima Growth Plan 15
Meteor plans early maturity

30 Apr 2009

Meteor Asset Management has brought out the prima growth plan, a capital-protected bond with the potential to mature earlier than its six-year term.
Miton fund loses AA rating

1 May 2009

Old Broad Street Research (OBSR) has withdrawn the AA rating from the CF Miton Cautious Income fund.
Mixed messages on commission

1 May 2009

With less than two months to go before the FSA sets out its intentions for how the Retail Distribution Review will deal with the thorny issue of commission on corporate pensions, the industry seems to have no idea which way the wind is blowing.
Money Marketing scoops four Headlinemoney awards

30 Apr 2009

Money Marketing scooped four awards at last night’s Headlinemoney Awards.
Money Portal director Peter Simon resigns

30 Apr 2009

Money Portal non-executive director Peter Simon has resigned from the firm.
Morgan Stanley - FTSE Defensive Gilt-Backed Growth Plan 2

1 May 2009

Morgan StanleyFTSE Defensive Gilt-Backed Growth Plan 2
Mortgage lending falls in March

30 Apr 2009

High-street mortgage lending fell to £3.7bn in March from February's £3.9bn while consumer lending rose slightly from -£100m to +£100m, according to the British Bankers' Association.
Nationwide moves to 3.99% rate

30 Apr 2009

Nationwide will revert new clients to a 3.99 per cent standard rate instead of its 2.5 per cent SVR. It says the move will increase savings returns.
NDFA launches regular fixed income plan

30 Apr 2009

NDFA has launched the regular fixed income plan April 09, a five-year investment linked to the FTSE 100.
Neptune adds share classes to several funds

5 May 2009

Neptune Investment Management is adding dollar and euro share classes to several of its core funds.
Network Data offers ARs Lighthouse switch

30 Apr 2009

Network Data has emailed its appointed representatives with a deal for them to move over to the Lighthouse Group.
Network Data suspended from Aim following collapse of Lighthouse talks

5 May 2009

Network Data has been temporarily suspended from Aim after Lighthouse earlier revealed it had abandoned talks over a potential takeover of advisers and some key staff.
Network faces row over cash

30 Apr 2009

Several appointed representatives of Premier Network Group, which closed to new business on February 16, are threatening to launch legal action over outstanding renewal commission and procuration fees.
New chair for CII London Market Facility

29 Apr 2009

The Chartered Insurance Institute has announced that Adrian Ballardie of Tokio Marine Global Limited will be new chairman of the London Market Faculty board.
New distribution appointments at Axa PPP healthcare

1 May 2009

Nick Groom has been appointed distribution director of AXA PPP healthcare, with responsibility for intermediated and corporate business as well as for AXA UK’s health and wellbeing support business, AXA ICAS.
Non-Ucits funds could be sold throughout EU

29 Apr 2009
Novia teams up with Close Asset Management

1 May 2009

Novia is teaming up with Close Asset Management Limited to give platform users access to its discretionary fund management capability.
Novia to launch group Sipp scheme

29 Apr 2009

Online wrap provider Novia Financial is set to launch its group Sipp scheme in May.
Offshore “attacks” could hurt global prosperity, says Jersey Finance CEO

5 May 2009

Jersey Finance chief executve Geoff Cook says the latest attacks on the use of international finance centres are driven by a “short sighted grab for tax” which could harm global prosperity.
Patrick Evershed joins Hargreave Hale

29 Apr 2009
Pension tax relief cut slammed by industry

1 May 2009

The removal of higher rate tax relief on pensions contributions for high earners in the Budget has been met with a combination of criticism and relief that cuts were not deeper.
Personal accounts are 'a train crash'

30 Apr 2009

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Lord Oakeshott claims personal accounts are "a train crash" and accuses the Government of pretending that there is a political consensus over their introduction.
Personal Touch launches compliance packages

29 Apr 2009

Personal Touch is launching compliance packages for directly authorised firms that cover sales quality, financial promotions, compliance framework, treating customers fairly, field visits and supervision.
Pink Home Loans - Platform Light Adverse 8.99% Fixed to 01/06/11

1 May 2009

Pink Home LoansPlatform Light Adverse 8.99% Fixed to 01/06/11
Planning for the unexpected

30 Apr 2009

IFAs who do not offer business protection insurance are turning their back on a lucrative market and one desperately in need of advice and guidance.
Premier ship

30 Apr 2009

Premier started life in the late 1980s as the fund arm of an IFA business, subsequently transforming into a fully fledged asset manager running almost £2bn at its peak.
Privalto launches tracker

1 May 2009

BNP Paribas Privalto UK today launches a fund that will track its own Millenium Index.
Privalto launches tracker

1 May 2009

BNP Paribas Privalto UK today launches a fund that will track its own Millenium Index.
Privalto launches tracker

30 Apr 2009
Privalto to launch millenium tracker fund

30 Apr 2009

Privalto is launching a new millenium tracker fund on May 5.
Private landlords to be forced to join register

5 May 2009

Under new Government plans private landlords will have to be registered before letting residential property.
Property obsession must end

30 Apr 2009

LibDem Treasury spokesman Lord Oakeshott has attacked the British obsession with owning property and called for investment in social housing.
Pru picks ex-Aviva director as CFO

30 Apr 2009

Prudential has appointed ex-Aviva financial control director Nicolaos Nicandrou as chief financial officer and group board director, succeeding Tidjane Thiam, who will become group chief executive on October 1.
Pru Protect adds IP plans and life cover for HIV

29 Apr 2009

Pru Protect has launched two new income protection products and has extendedits life cover to include people living with HIV.
Pru Protect adds IP plans and life cover on HIV

30 Apr 2009

Pru Protect has introduced two new income protection products and has extended its life cover to include people with HIV.
Quality will out

1 May 2009

The passing of the Pensions Act 2008 means that all employers will have to have a 'qualifying' workplace pension scheme in situ for their 'eligible' employees after 2012.
RBS finance director Guy Whittaker to leave the firm

5 May 2009

Royal Bank of Scotland finance director Guy Whittaker has agreed to step down from his role and the RBS board.
RDR will do little for advice

30 Apr 2009

Retail distribution review proposals will do little to improve consumers' appreciation of the value of advice, warns Zurich.
Red tape wrecks homeowner support scheme

30 Apr 2009

Treasury select committee chairman John McFall says the Government's homeowner mortgage support scheme is not working because it is too bureaucratic.
Research finds IFAs most trusted financial service

30 Apr 2009

IFAs are the most trusted group of all financial services institutions, according to the Financial Services Research Forum.
Revenue warns pension advisers

30 Apr 2009

IFAs must reconsider retirement planning for high-earners in light of Budget changes to higher-rate pension tax relief, according to Informed Choice.
Risk managers need a protection policy

30 Apr 2009

On March 11, Hector Sants, CEO of the FSA, delivered a speech to the National Association of Pension Funds in Edinburgh. His subject was the role of investors in the financial crisis. Among other things, he said: "How well a company is managed and the adequacy of its risk controls are…material factors fundamental to investment management.
Risky Business

1 May 2009

From my experience working with corporate clients, more scheme members are now actively switching funds in light of the current market downturn. But many others still don’t realise that their pension pots have been eroded by the economic slump hitting the investment markets even when their annual benefit statement comes through the door, largely through apathy.
Royal London life and pensions sales up 27 per cent

30 Apr 2009

Royal London life and pensions new business has increased a significant 27 per cent from £416.8m to £528.5m in the first quarter of 2009.
Rules of rentback

30 Apr 2009

The FSA and Treasury recently announced the statutory regulation of the sale and rentback market.
Schroders to launch currency fund

5 May 2009
Scottish Widows joins adviser savings club

29 Apr 2009

Scottish Widows Bank has become the secnd provider to join the eMoneyfacts Savings Club.
Share schemes: both sides of the coin

1 May 2009

In these difficult times, the attraction of saving by buying and holding shares in your employer, even when bought at a discount or matched with some free shares, has taken a knock.
Shun 'smoking gun' of securitisation

30 Apr 2009

The Social Market Foundation has questioned the recommendations in the Crosby report, saying the securitisation market should not be kept on "life support".
Sipp switch took months

30 Apr 2009

Aegon Scottish Equitable has been slammed over its Sipp administration, with an adviser claiming the firm took nearly five months to allow him to change provider.
Skandia Investment Group - GF Emerging Market Debt Fund

30 Apr 2009

Skandia Investment GroupGF Emerging Market Debt Fund
Skandia Investment Management - Global Dynamic Equity Fund

30 Apr 2009

Skandia Investment ManagementGlobal Dynamic Equity Fund
SLI sees net inflows in first quarter

1 May 2009

Standard Life Investments achieved worldwide net inflows of £600m in the first quarter of 2009 after a £2.2 billion net outflow in 2008.
Sliding sales unsurprising

30 Apr 2009

The first quarter results season kicked-off with pretty dismal performances all-round. But this is not exactly a surprise.
Smith & Williamson launches bond fund

5 May 2009
Smith & Williamson launches short-dated corporate bond fund

5 May 2009

Smith & Williamson Investment Management Limited (SWIM) has announced the launch of a short-dated corporate bond fund.
Splitting the difference

30 Apr 2009

With many marriages ending in divorce, effective financial planning is important as couples who were used to sharing living expenses have to manage their finances separately. This applies not just to immediate needs but also to retirement planning.
Standard bearer

30 Apr 2009

Equity income funds have traditionally been among the most popular areas for UK investors.
Standard Life Investments - European Equity Income Fund

30 Apr 2009

Standard Life InvestmentsEuropean Equity Income Fund
Standard Life Investments broadens equity income range with European fund

5 May 2009

Standard Life Investments is expanding its fund range with the introduction of a European equity income fund.
Standard Life UK life and pension sales fall 27 per cent

30 Apr 2009

Standard Life saw it's UK life and pensions sales plunge 27 per cent to £2.5bn in the first quarter of 2009.
Start saving for the next fiscal disaster

30 Apr 2009

The UK economy would be unable to cope with any future crises, leading economists have warned.
Sterling fund fallout could hit Standard Life sales, says KBW

29 Apr 2009

Keefe Bruyette & Woods has warned that controversy over the pension sterling fund could impact Standard Life’s sales volumes this year.
Stress test

30 Apr 2009

The pre-summer months should really be positive ones. The days are longer, the weather is getting warmer (we think), we are past the Budget announcement, the summer - and hopefully a holiday - is on its way.
Super-prime borrowers will be mortgage elite

30 Apr 2009

Mortgage experts have signalled the rise of the "super-prime" borrower, which could see the loan market polarised.
Swine flu impact localised, says report

29 Apr 2009
Tax trap for Tories

30 Apr 2009

Conservative MP Richard Spring has branded the hike in income tax for higher-earners as a deeply political move designed to trap the Tories.
Tell us how it is for you

1 May 2009

Group insurance industry service standards have had some notoriously bad press over the years. This is unsurprising when you compare its track record to other industries, especially that of the private medical sector - which has a much better record.
Tenet launches mortgage and investment apprenticeships

1 May 2009

Tenet, with the Financial Services Skills Council, is launching two apprenticeship programmes for mortgage and investment advisers to help bring new blood into the industry.
The meaning of advice

30 Apr 2009

It is time to scrap retail financial services regulation altogether and instead spend the billions saved on educating consumers as to the facts of financial life. Retail regulation has failed by every measure thanks to a flaw in its first design.
The Platforum enhances analysis tool

1 May 2009

The Platforum has updated and enhanced its online anaylsis tool for platform users.
Thinking small

30 Apr 2009

There is room for optimism for UK smaller companies if one looks at year-to-date total returns to April 20. The FTSE 100 was down by 8.71 per cent but the small-cap indices were all up.
Three Midas funds added to FundsNetwork

5 May 2009
Tory MP tells advisers to avoid complacency

30 Apr 2009

Tory Shadow Treasury Financial Secretary Mark Hoban has warned IFAs not to be complacent in believing they are superior to tied advisers.
Towry Law appoints new finance director

30 Apr 2009

Towry Law has appointed Paul Wright as its finance director.
TPR warning on increased fraud risk to schemes

1 May 2009

The Pensions Regulator has issued a warning to the regulated community alerting it to the increased risks of dishonesty and fraud in the downturn and calling on individuals to whistleblow any wrongdoing.
Treasury welcomes Isle of Man progress on tax information exchange

30 Apr 2009

The UK Treasury has welcomed the Isle of Man’s progress in agreeing 14 tax information exchange agreements and has called on other jurisdictions to follow its lead.
Trigold Crystal merger gets go-ahead

1 May 2009

Trigold and Crystal have received shareholder approval for the merger announced earlier this month.
Trust fund

30 Apr 2009

A few months ago in a column for this newspaper, I commented in passing on the way that the banking crisis - and the consequent collapse in confidence by many consumers in the big banks - could have a major and detrimental knock-on effect on other sections of the financial services industry.
TUC attacks Aon over decision to shave staff DC scheme

1 May 2009

Aon has been accused of leading employers towards the next stage of withdrawal from pensions because of its decision to slash staff pension contributions.
UK House Prices: Is the bouncing cat dead or alive?

1 May 2009

Last month much was said of the surprise bounce in Nationwide's House Price Index, which saw house prices jump by 0.9 per cent. Then this week the bouncing cat was pronounced dead as the building society revealed an April drop of 0.4 per cent.
Unum increases maximum benefit on protection plans

1 May 2009

Unum has increased its maximum benefit limits on its personal and primary income replacement plans.
Unum relaunches group proposition

5 May 2009

Unum has enhanced its group life proposition to cover all UK postcodes.
VCTs to benefit in HNW switch from pensions

30 Apr 2009

Advisers believe the abolition of high-rate tax relief on pension contributions will increase the popularity of venture capital trusts among high-net-worth individuals.
We live in stress-testing times

5 May 2009

The Federal Reserve is expected to publicly reveal the results of stress tests performed on 19 US lenders on Thursday after markets close.
Whitechurch signs Eden

30 Apr 2009

The Whitechurch Network is taking on 65 advisers from directly authorised IFA firm Eden Personal Financial Planning.
Why Treasury took relief road

30 Apr 2009

Financial experts say that scrapping higher-rate tax relief on pensions for high-earners in the Budget was an unnecessarily complex move and simpler measures could have been taken.
Winding road

30 Apr 2009

I have been contacted by an insurance company as I am one of two remaining members of an executive pension scheme and they want to wind up the scheme. What should I do?
Witan invests £10m in global corporate bond fund

29 Apr 2009

Witan has added exposure to fixed income within its portfolio with a £10m investment in the PIMCO global credit fund.
Witan ups equity and fixed interest exposure

30 Apr 2009
Woolwich tracks for life

30 Apr 2009

WoolwichOffset Tracker at BBBR + 2.99%
Zurich joins commission party as Axa leaves early

1 May 2009

Zurich has started offering initial commission on corporate pensions business for a limited number of high quality company schemes, just as Axa has pulled out of that type of remuneration.

Money Marketing29 April 2009

Money Marketing
29 April 2009