Money Marketing
9 March 2005

  • A consumer's view - Lorna Bourke

    10 Mar 2005

    It is good to be able to say something positive about life companies. Norwich Union's decision to offer its 40,000 Provident Mutual holders of mortgage-linked with-profits endowments the opportunity to switch into the bigger CGNU with-profits fund in an attempt to give them a better return on their investment is a shining example to the entire industry.

  • Abbey calls for Revenue rethink on s32 clusters

    10 Mar 2005

    Brokers are finding themselves increasingly squeezed by len-ders on buy-to-let mortgages, prompting questions on whe-ther concerns over the sector are rising.

  • Advisers hope for Revenue clarification in Budget on employer pension contributions

    15 Mar 2005

    Assurances that employer contributions of up to 100 per cent of salary will gain tax relief would be a major positive from the Budget, according to Central Financial Planning director Ian Smith.

  • Aegon chief sees just 5% fall in IFA share

    10 Mar 2005

    IFAs' share of the personal finance market will fall by only about 5 per cent over the next three years, according to Aegon UK chief executive Otto Thoresen.

  • ALIL launches issue 16 of 1-year fixed rate bond

    15 Mar 2005

    Alliance & Leicester International Limited is launching a limited edition one-year fixed rate bond with a fixed interest rate of 5 per cent.

  • Arc Fund Management - Arc 3 EIS Growth Fund

    14 Mar 2005

    Arc Fund ManagementArc 3 EIS Growth Fund

  • Artemis sells multi-manager business to Credit Suisse

    10 Mar 2005

    Artemis has sold its 134m multi-manager Premier funds business to Credit Suisse Asset Management.

  • Assureweb gets funding deal

    9 Mar 2005

    Assureweb has deals in place to continue funding of an unspecified sum with three product providers after an existing agreement runs out at the end of May. In January 2002 Norwich Union, Scottish Widows and Friends Provident agreed to pay 16.8m for ongoing services until May 2005. At that time those three providers plus Aegon and Clerical Medical, together also paid 9.2m for a 40 per cent stake in the web portal.

  • Baited hooks and red herrings

    10 Mar 2005

    Is multi-tying purely a commercial decision by advisers to get higher commission or does it really benefit the consumer by offering them a less confusing best-of-breed selection?

  • Bamford halves PI premium

    10 Mar 2005

    Former Sofa chairman Nick Bamford has slashed his professional indemnity cover premium by more than half by shopping around.

  • Bank of England base rate remains at 4.75 per cent

    10 Mar 2005

    The MPC has decided the Bank of England base rate will remain at 4.75 per cent for this month.

  • Batting the averages

    10 Mar 2005

    Concerns are growing over FSA market-average figures.

  • Bee cautious on IHT potential of family pensions

    10 Mar 2005

    Pension guru Steve Bee says he cannot believe the Inland Revenue will allow assets such as family homes to be passed down between generations tax-free in a new family pension scheme.

  • Before and after tax plans aim to simplify savings

    10 Mar 2005

    A former managing director of Merrill Lynch is calling for simplification of the savings industry and the removal of reliance on Government subsidy as a way of solving current savings problems.

  • Berkeley Berry Birch adds four to its top team

    10 Mar 2005

    Berkeley Berry Birch has made four major additions to its senior management team to fill gaps left by departures.

  • Billingham merges with Williams to form Haven

    10 Mar 2005

    Phil Billingham Associates is to merge with David Williams Training to create Haven Risk Management.

  • Boateng quits politics

    14 Mar 2005

    Chief secretary to the treasury Paul Boateng has announced his retirement from politics.Boateng will set down at the election to become high commissioner to South Africa.

  • BoS co-branding with Halifax

    9 Mar 2005

    HBOS is adding the Bank of Scotland brand to the fascias of its 700 Halifax branches in England and Wales, to expand its business banking opportunity. From June, Halifax will be co-branded with Bank of Scotland, and the 100 largest branches will introduce in-house business banking managers. All communication material will use both logos in due course, with the objective of growing awareness of the small business sector, which increased by 29,000 new customers in 2004.

  • Britannic Asset Management - UK Property Fund

    15 Mar 2005

    Britannic Asset ManagementUK Property Fund

  • Brokers fear BTL squeeze

    10 Mar 2005

    Borrowers rejected where previously would have been offered BTL mortgagesConsultant at a large multi-national accountancy firm requests 50 per cent LTV for a buy-to-let property.

  • Burgesses offers own IP plan

    9 Mar 2005

    Specialist insurance broker Burgesses is launching its own income protection plan called British Income Protection. t offers a low cost non-discriminatory income protection with a maximum monthly benefit of 1,000 or 50 per cent of gross monthly income. Cover is available to UK residents below retirement age irrespective of occupation, gender or employment status.

  • Buy-to-let boost as void periods and arrears fall

    10 Mar 2005

    Buy-to-let investors are reporting a fall in void periods, according to Mortgage Express's January report into confidence in the sector.

  • C&G sets discount and tracker loans at 4.89%

    10 Mar 2005

    Cheltenham & Gloucester is offering two new prem-ium tracker and premium discount mortgages.The two-year premium tracker mortgage will track at 0.14 per cent over the Bank of England base rate until April 30, 2007. It is offering a current rate of 4.89 per cent.The two-year premium discount mortgage offers a discount of 1.85 per cent off C&G's standard variable rate, giving a current rate of 4.89 per cent.Both loans are available on loans of over £100,000 for ...

  • Charcol urges Chancellor to overhaul stamp duty and IHT

    10 Mar 2005

    Charcol is urging the Chancellor to amend the "antiquated" rules governing stamp duty in his Budget statement on March 16.

  • Chelsea Gives Isa Recommendations

    15 Mar 2005

    Chelsea Financial Services is recommending six investment portfolios for the Isa season, to suit different risk profiles. For cautious investors it is suggesting the Invesco Perpertual distribution fund, and the New Star managed distribution fund. In the core area, it recommends the Rathbone income and Merrill Lynch UK dynamic funds. For adventurous investors, it suggests the Framlington UK select opportunities and Artemis UK growth funds.

  • Chilton on mortgages

    10 Mar 2005

    The most striking thing about lender discussions this year is a real desire to improve margins on their mainstream books. This has always been a pretty clear objective but there is a new determination in the way this is being expressed and it is being evidenced by the reluctance of the mainstream lenders to embark on a price war despite market volumes being depressed.

  • Close faces Murray VCT problems as Aberdeen still holds fund rights

    10 Mar 2005

    Close Venture Management will be hamstrung in its run-ning of the three Murray VCTs because Aberdeen still holds investor rights on most of its holdings.

  • Commentary - Success story

    10 Mar 2005

    Yet another year has passed and, inevitably, depolarisation dominates the current agenda. The banks and product providers shuffle and every week a new player announces a multi-tie or other proposition. The increasing complexity of the regulations and the pace of change are adding to the stress levels of all of us, pushing up PI and ICS costs and so on.

  • Confusion over Johnson move on citizen's pension

    10 Mar 2005

    Industry sources say there is confusion over what Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson views as a citizen's pension and it appears unlikely that it is the 105 a week universal flat-rate pension advocated by, among others, the NAPF and the Liberal Democrats.

  • Correspondent's week - James Coney

    10 Mar 2005

    Monday dawns. My last day of freedom. Tomorrow I start at Money Mail. I have packed my backpack and have an apple ready for new boss Tony Hazell.

  • Coventry Building Society - MOREgage 6.6% Capped Rate

    10 Mar 2005

    Coventry Building SocietyMOREgage 6.6% Capped Rate

  • Data deal to boost Lifesearch

    10 Mar 2005

    The Exchange is integrating its quotation and new business services into Lifesearch's back-office and admin system.

  • Dawnay Day Quantum - Protected Commodities Accelarator III

    10 Mar 2005

    Dawnay Day QuantumProtected Commodities Accelerator III

  • Dawnay Day safeguards commodities

    10 Mar 2005

    Structured product provider Dawnay Day Quantum has created another issue of protected commodities accelerator, capital-protected bond linked to a basket of eight industrial metals and energy-related commodities.

  • Dedication is the key to equity release sales

    10 Mar 2005

    Money Marketing mortgage round tableAn increase in intermediaries specifically dedicated to equity-release products is needed to encourage growth in the sector, says Purely Mortgages managing director Mark Chilton.

  • Dee dishes the dirt

    10 Mar 2005

    Jack Dee pulled no punches when hosting the MM awards, laying into the great and good of the industry. Unimpressed by Bright Grey naming themselves after a colour that did not exist, Dee then mocked Standard Life for having a name that no one should aspire to.

  • Deutsche appoints Benkner as Global Head of Retail

    11 Mar 2005

    Deutsche Bank has appointed Axel Benkner as global head of retail for Deutsche Asset Management (DeAM). Benkner is currently head of DWS Investments in Europe and will continue to be the head of DeAM Europe. In his new role, Benkner will asume responsibility for all of DeAMs retail businesses, including DWS and Scudder Investments, with over 200bn under management.

  • Deutsche enters Chinese fund market

    9 Mar 2005

    Deutsche bank is to enter the Chinese fund management market via a joint venture between Deutsche Asset Management and Harvest Fund Management Company.

  • Divorcee's dilemma

    10 Mar 2005

    I am 57 and have been provided with a pension share valued at 400,000 of my former husband's small self-administered scheme. I have been told that I must move my money out of his scheme. Can you suggest where as I have no pension of my own?

  • Dover Street enters VCT neighbourhood

    14 Mar 2005

    Dover Street Capital, a specialist venture capital and investment advisory firm in London, has brought out the Dover Street venture capital trust which will have a fixed life of six years.

  • Estate planning becoming more complex for IFAs

    10 Mar 2005

    Advisers face increasing complexities in estate planning for the wealthy, says accountant Saffery Champness.

  • Eurolife Bondholders Vote For Restructuring

    15 Mar 2005

    Investors in the Eurolife Secured Bond have voted to accept the restructuring proposals they were offered as an alternative to going into administration.

  • Eurolife sells 50m life book to Reliance Mutual

    10 Mar 2005

    Eurolife Assurance Group has made a start in its bid to raise assets to fund its restructuring proposals with the sale of its 50m life book - Eurolife Assurance Company - to Reliance Mutual.

  • Exeter failure leaves investors better off then with rescue fund

    10 Mar 2005

    The collapse of Exeter Fund Managers means that investors will be paid out by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

  • F&C Trusts Schedule Merger

    14 Mar 2005

    The boards of F&C Income Growth Investment Trust and F&C Capital and Income Investment Trust have agreed on timing for their merger proposals. The scheduled effective date of the merger is May 5, 2005. The merger will be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement of FIGIT, and will be conditional on the approval of FIGIT shareholders.

  • Fidelity moves into Korea and India

    9 Mar 2005

    Fidelity is launching two asset management businesses in South Korea and India. The first tailor-made products for local investors will be launched this month with Indian investors offered an Indian equities fund, and Korean investors offered a choice of ten domestic funds that invest in Korea and global markets.

  • Fidelity poaches Speake to boost IFA marketing team

    15 Mar 2005

    Sarah Speake has joined Fidelity to head up its intermediary marketing team.Speake joins from Henderson Global Investors, where she was latterly marketing and product management director, and will report into Fidelity head of UK distribution, Michael Jones.Speake also previously worked Save and Prosper and GT Management.

  • Final countdown - Keith Popplewell

    10 Mar 2005

    In this series of articles, I am identifying and discussing recent and impending developments in various aspects of pensions. Leading on from my last article, I am now considering issues relating to financial protection for sch-eme members of final-salary wind-ups.

  • First class lending

    10 Mar 2005

    FTBs are an endangered species and need help to survive.

  • Food for thought in Sudan scandal

    10 Mar 2005

    The role of intermediaries has been likened to a number of occupations - some more flattering than others.A popular parallel has been that of a general practitioner, dispensing advice and solutions based on the circumstances of the individual.

  • For charity sake...

    10 Mar 2005

    Charity was the real winner at the Money Marketing awards last week - along with the dieting industry. The HSBC table raised £70 for Comic Relief by persuading Hargreaves Lans-down's vegetable-dodging investment manager Ben Yearsley to eat three helpings of "white chocolate tulip" dessert and 20 large after-dinner chocolates to raise money for the starving.

  • Friends restructures team

    10 Mar 2005

    Friends Provident is restructuring its UK life and pension management team.

  • FSCS set for claims as Moorgate House IFA goes into liquidation

    10 Mar 2005

    Building society chief executives have presented over 22,000 signatures to the Chancellor in support of the national Raise the Roof stamp duty campaign to lift the stamp duty threshold from 60,000 to 150,000.

  • Fund firms on a levy playing field

    10 Mar 2005

    "Join the club," IFAs might well be saying to fund managers this week.

  • GE Life - Section 32 Transfer Plan

    14 Mar 2005

    GE LifeSection 32 Transfer Plan

  • IFA anger as Skandia rejects Fof link to its offshore bond

    10 Mar 2005

    Skandia has been accused of protectionism after refusing to set up links between an IFA firm's in-house fund of fund range and its own onshore bond.

  • IFA fears electronic reporting could block innovation

    10 Mar 2005

    FSA plans for electronic reporting are in danger of becoming too prescriptive, leaving firms unable to explain the way their firm works, says Worldwide Financial Planning IFA John Shackleton.

  • IFP's view

    10 Mar 2005

    One of the astonishing parts of the recent ABI report on commission is the assumption that there is still a fee versus commission debate. It is surely time for us to move on to a debate that focuses on how advisers can be paid effectively and fairly for the work they do with clients. To enable this to happen, there has to be a form of commission that rewards the selling of products

  • In with the out crowd

    10 Mar 2005

    A significant increase in outsourcing activity in the life and pension industry over the next two years is inevitable.

  • Independent view - John Winful

    10 Mar 2005

    In my opinion, IFAs under-value their services because they have failed to get away from the fact that they sometimes have to be salesmen.

  • Investment view

    10 Mar 2005

    Judging where to put your money abroad means taking acc-ount of often conflic-ting information, says Brian Tora.

  • Julian Gibbs

    10 Mar 2005

    I have been asked which venture capital trust I would recommend for medium-risk investors to top up their pensions over the long term. The one I recommend is Close income and growth VCT.

  • Justin Urquhart Stewart and Tom Sheridan

    10 Mar 2005

    Seven Investment Management's founders believe we are seeing a split in the sector between the old school of product sales and the new generation of professional planning.

  • Keydata - Keydata Income VCTs 1 and 2

    11 Mar 2005

    KeydataKeydata Income VCTs 1 and 2

  • 'KFIs not doing enough to meet consumer needs'

    10 Mar 2005

    Key facts illustrations offer too much information and do not concentrate on what is important to consumers, according to a report from Beachcroft Wansbroughs Consulting.

  • Lifesearch and Standard pick up top MM awards

    10 Mar 2005

    Lifesearch became the first specialist IFA to win Money Marketing's IFA of the Year award last week.

  • Lifetime deal offers loan up to 250k

    10 Mar 2005

    Just Retirement is offering a Ship-approved fixed lifetime mortgage that will pay a cash lump sum of up to 250,000.

  • Lincoln Financial deal with Exchange

    11 Mar 2005

    The Exchange has announced that Lincoln Financial Group will be listing its whole of life protection policy on the Exweb platform.It is the first new business announcement since Vertex confirmed its intention to acquire The Exchanges parent Marlborough Stirling.Lincoln will only be listing the life cover option on the Exweb quotation tool, although other benefits can be added.Lincoln Financial Group head of marketing Brian Sceats says: "The service is a vital tool for the intermediary ...

  • Local tax inspectors to get contribution control

    10 Mar 2005

    An Inland Revenue plan to give discretion on qualifying pension contributions to local tax inspectors after A-Day is raising concern among advisers and product providers.

  • Make an impression

    10 Mar 2005

    Woman IFA of the Year Saran Allott-Davey was coaching a Money Marketing hack in the art of creating a good first-impression at the MM Awards last week.When Saran first moved into her little Welsh village, she first met the locals at a 1960's fancy dress party wearing thigh-high boots and a mini-skirt. The evening was finished off by a pole dance with the local GP. Business at Heron House was never better after that first impression.

  • McGinn quits Abbey for Intermediaries

    10 Mar 2005

    Abbey for Intermediaries director Ambrose McGinn has quit after 16 years.

  • Morningstar CEO replaced

    15 Mar 2005

    Morningstar CEO Toby Webb has been replaced by Bevin Desmond, Morningstars president of international operations. Desmond will oversee the running of the UK business until a replacement is found for Webb, with the group actively recruiting and expecting to find somebody soon. Morningstar has 17 international operations outside the US.Desmond says: "Toby Webb went last week. I would prefer not to comment on the reasons for his departure."

  • Mortgage edge - Jeff Knight

    10 Mar 2005

    Applying higher lending charges are not the ideal way to help a borrower rehabilitate their credit rating. HLCs are no benefit to the intermediary or their client and is invariably treated by the lender as cash or profit.

  • Mortgage edge - John Webster

    10 Mar 2005

    Critics of the HLC have suggested that it is added to the loan purely to claw back money lost under the pretence of a low interest ratebut the HLC is needed to accommodate the additional risk that comes with higher LTV loans.

  • Multi-manager view - Jeremy Tigue

    10 Mar 2005

    When the Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust was launched in 1868,its objective was to provide private investors with the opportunity to invest in the same areas as "large capitalists". This remains the case today.

  • Negative charges

    10 Mar 2005

    Higher lending charges are coming under fire in the mortgage market.

  • Newton takes mixed assets to new investors

    14 Mar 2005

    Newton Investment ManagementNewton Phoenix Fund

  • Niche firms set to make 2005 year of first-time buyer

    10 Mar 2005

    Money Marketing mortgage round table2005 will prove to be the year of the first time buyer, according to a group of mortgage experts at a Money Marketing mortgage round table discussions.

  • Odey takes over pan-European fund

    9 Mar 2005

    Hugh Hendry is to be replaced as manager of the pan European fund at Odey Asset Management by Crispin Odey, the groups chief investment officer.

  • On a level playing field

    10 Mar 2005

    IFAs came racing out with their hockey sticks following John Shackle-ton's presentation at the FSA conference last week. The Worldwide Financial Planning chief made no secret of his desire for the industry to move towards a "level-playing field" - about 40 times. If next year's MM awards add another category (to Jack Dee's delight) for Most Overused Phrase In A Presentation, the panel have a winner - absolutely not a level playing field.

  • Only 2% of IFAs planning to multi-tie

    10 Mar 2005

    Over 90 per cent of IFAs will remain independent after depolarisation according to research by Winterthur Life.

  • Out of context

    10 Mar 2005

    "Janet and I are well known for our poledancing." - Heron House MD Saran Allott-Davey describes a typical night out in Wales."I forgot who I was here with so I've arranged a date with her. Then I remembered I was here with Locke." - European Fund Focus editor Bruce Love on the pretty young thing who thought she was just selling him a pair of sunglasses during a press trip to Edinburgh."I think it was a dance-off between us and Lansons. We kicked ass." - More Than's Jon Sellers.

  • Over half of people unaware of IHT cost

    10 Mar 2005

    Over half of people who intend to leave money to relatives and friends have done no res-earch into the costs of inheritance tax, according to a survey by Brewin Dolphin.

  • Perpetual income & growth trust in bid for Securities Trust

    10 Mar 2005

    Perpetual Income & Growth Investment trust has made a takeover bid for the Securities Trust of Scotland.

  • PFS and PI

    10 Mar 2005

    The article headlined, PFS members won't get preferential PI (Money Marketing,March 3) misrepresents the arrangement between NCG and the Personal Finance Society.

  • Plan of attack

    10 Mar 2005

    Last week, I looked at the use of a discretionary trust as a tax-efficient means of passing on a half share of a property when the first of a married couple dies.

  • Platform - Buy-to-Let Base Rate Tracker

    9 Mar 2005

    PlatformBuy-to-Let - Base Rate Tracker

  • Platform reduces rates across self-cert range

    15 Mar 2005

    Platform is launching a range of self-certification base rate trackers and fixed rates, removing the rate increases that were introduced in the summer.

  • 'Politically influenced FSA has lost industry's respect'

    10 Mar 2005

    The FSA has lost the respect and support of the financial services industry, says ing a report from the Centre for Policy Studies.

  • Positive attitude is needed for pro bono work

    10 Mar 2005

    The letter from Tony Conner, Joss Harwood and Owen Temple in Money Marketing (February 10) contains a number of misconceptions about the nature of the pilot scheme with the Citizens' Advice Bureau to offer the public "pro bono" generic advice.

  • Premier growth plan in new league

    9 Mar 2005

    Premier Fund ManagersSegmented Growth Plan - Limited Editions 24

  • Product Matters

    10 Mar 2005

    Barely a week passes without a call for action by Chancellor Gordon Brown to change the way in which stamp duty is charged and rightly so. The banding system and, more importantly, the lack of amendment to these bandings over the years means that stamp duty has become a bigger burden for more borrowers.Hopefully, we will see some changes but in the meantime, Alliance & Leicester has decided to help with its new first step mortgage. Basically, the deal offers a three-year fixed ...

  • Protect public but cut through the red tape

    10 Mar 2005

    The General Election - Liberal DemocratsVince Cable, MP, Shadow Chancellor

  • ProVen VCT 3 is pulled and others are set to follow

    10 Mar 2005

    ProVen VCT 3 has become one of the first VCTs to effectively withdraw from the market this season and is offering investors a switch into the original ProVen VCT through top-up shares.

  • ProvMut equity ratio slashed to 10%

    9 Mar 2005

    Norwich Union is has reduced the equity backing ratio of the Provident Mutual with-profits fund from 24 per cent to 10 per cent, saying the move is needed to meet underlying guarantees.

  • Pru is set for return to protection market

    10 Mar 2005

    Prudential is ready to return to the protection market after 18 months.

  • Public is still wary of equities

    10 Mar 2005

    Active investors have faith in the stockmarket but the general public still prefer property, according to a sur-vey by the Association of Investment Trust Companies.

  • Put the stress on income protection

    10 Mar 2005

    Employers need a new approach to dealing with stress-related illness in the workplace.

  • Regulation increases costs and technology reliance

    15 Mar 2005

    FSA regulation has increased costs for mortgage intermediaries as well as their reliance on technology, according to research from The Exchange.The Exchanges Technology Index found that 47 per cent of IFAs say regulation compliance has increased costs, with 68 per cent expecting technology usage in the mortgage sector to increase to off-set some of the expense.Mortgage sourcing systems and trading platforms were chosen by three quarters of intermediaries as their favoured method ...

  • Schroders - Schroder S&P Cautious Managed Distribution Portfolio

    9 Mar 2005

    SchrodersSchroder S&P Cautious Managed Distribution Portfolio

  • Schroders adds cautious flavour

    9 Mar 2005

    Schroders has added a cautious fund to the Ucits III compliant multi-manager fund range it developed with fund research and ratings agency Standard & Poors last September.

  • Sesame fears unfair lottery over fee-free complaints

    10 Mar 2005

    Sesame says it does not allocate either of its two fee-free omb-udsman complaints to anyone because it would become an unfair lottery.

  • Sesame says 73% of IFA members won't multi-tie

    10 Mar 2005

    Independence is the preferred choice for most IFAs although many are open-minded about multi-tie, claims Sesame.

  • Sharp rise in interest only mortgage deals reports MMD

    15 Mar 2005

    Interest only mortgage deals have risen steeply on the back of Bank of England base rate rises says broker My Mortgage Direct.

  • Shift from stakeholder boosts Widows' pension business

    10 Mar 2005

    Scottish Widows managed to grow its share of the pension market last year despite slashing commission and focusing on higher-margin business.

  • SimplyBiz and MSN set up loan support service

    10 Mar 2005

    SimplyBiz and Mortgage Support Network have launched joint venture company Broker Support Services aimed at supporting directly authorised mortgage intermediaries.

  • Skandia adds four Schroder funds

    10 Mar 2005

    Skandia Investment Management has selected four Schroder funds to be made available through its new multi-manager investment funds range.

  • Skandia sets out managers for asset allocator funds of funds

    10 Mar 2005

    Skandia Investment Management has named the managers who will run its asset allocator range of seven fund of funds which which it will to attract between 100m and 200m in the first year.

  • SLI disappointed with POAT regulations

    14 Mar 2005

    Scottish Life International does not support the proposed changes to pre-owned assets tax regulations, as announced by Dawn Primarolos ministerial statement last week.

  • SLI offers online asset allocation aid for advisers

    10 Mar 2005

    Scottish Life International has set up an online asset allocation tool to ensure that an IFA's investment advice matches the risk profiles of clients.

  • Standard cuts protection rates

    10 Mar 2005

    Standard Life has cut premiums on its lifetime protection series for level term insurance and mortgage protection insurance.

  • Standard Is set for launch of group Sipp

    10 Mar 2005

    Standard Life is set to launch a group Sipp platform at the end of the summer, building on its individual offering.

  • Standard secured Oeic aims for tax efficiency

    10 Mar 2005

    Standard Life is offering the second tranche of its secured capital plan which will be available to investors until April 25.

  • Standard system blunder slashes commission

    10 Mar 2005

    Standard Life is having to renegotiate remuneration terms with several IFAs after a system glitch led to a shock cut in commission streams of up to 60 per cent.

  • Star performance

    10 Mar 2005

    Advisers believe New Star's rise to the top of the retail fund sales league is down to service and performance.

  • Steve Bee on pensions

    10 Mar 2005

    If it's not one thing with pensions these days, it's another. Quite apart from all the changes coming in following the publication of last year's Finance and Pension Acts, we have also got the knock-on effects of age discrimination legislation to contend with.

  • Suspended sentences for 2.5m fraudsters

    10 Mar 2005

    Two financial advisers have been ordered to pay a total of 250,000 compensation and given suspended jail sentences for their part in a 2.5m fraud scandal in Northern Ireland.

  • Talkback

    10 Mar 2005

    Has the FSA increased consumers' trust in the UK financial services sector since it was created in 2000?No. It has made it more difficult for the general public to understand the best advice available and therefore affected consumer trust. There will have to be a massive overhaul of the authority to increase levels of trust.Kevin Hicks,Investment & RetirementNo. It has done the reverse. It is highlighting any problems to such an extent that clients think the whole industry ...

  • The resonators

    10 Mar 2005

    Keep communicating through good and bad times and make your message reverberate.

  • The right stuff

    10 Mar 2005

    John Chatfeild-Roberts, head of Jupiter's independent funds team, looks at the vital role of asset allocation.

  • The role of the IFA in fund selection

    10 Mar 2005

    Independent advisers need to consider the nature of their service to clients when picking investments.

  • The state of pay

    10 Mar 2005

    Scottish Equitable head of business development Steven Cameron assesses the radical plans set out by the ABI for changes to adviser remuneration.

  • The Woolwich confident housing market will pick-up in the spring

    14 Mar 2005

    Housing market is set to bloom in the spring according to The Woolwich.

  • Thinc and Destini piece the jigsaw together

    10 Mar 2005

    When Thinc and Destini merge in April it will create one of the biggest five advisory firms in the country, with annual turn-over of between 40m and 50m.

  • 'Tis a season to be jolly

    10 Mar 2005

    The with-profits bonus declaration season is coming to a close. For many, there have been improved fortunes and now is the time when clients' portfolios are being reassessed by advisers.

  • UBS explores bond futures

    10 Mar 2005

    UBS Global Asset ManagementUBS Absolute Return Bond Fund

  • UBS Global Asset Management - UBS Absolute Return Bond Fund

    15 Mar 2005

    UBS Global Asset ManagementUBS Absolute Return Bond Fund

  • Unbalanced pension equation

    10 Mar 2005

    I had to write to congratulate Ian Lowes for his article in Money Marketing (February 10). I agree 100 per cent with his response to the contracting-out issue. I have been making similar remarks to clients for many years.

  • Utilities firm taps into financial services as it buys The Exchange

    10 Mar 2005

    The Exchange parent company Marlborough Sterling has been bought by a subsidiary of United Utilities for 95.3m.

  • Venture values

    10 Mar 2005

    Time could be running out for IFAs to learn the worth of investing in venture capital trusts.

  • Why is the PFS working against its own members?

    10 Mar 2005

    The Personal Finance Society is certainly hitting the ground running but it gives the impression that it is stubbing its toes rather badly.

  • Witan and F&C say Mom will restore investor confidence

    10 Mar 2005

    The boards of the Witan and F&C investment trusts believe their multi-manager strategies will revive investor confidence in investment trusts.

  • Woolwich Plan Managers - 7% Bonus Bond

    11 Mar 2005

    Woolwich Plan Managers7% Bonus Bond

  • Yield of dreams

    10 Mar 2005

    Our panel discuss whether the size of some equity income funds is hindering performance and the problems of delivering yield.

  • Young shavers are the top savers

    10 Mar 2005

    Younger men are saving a bigger proportion of their income than any other age group.

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