Lowes in plea for structured training
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Lowes Financial Management managing director Ian Lowes has called for a more formal assessment of structured products to help raise understanding among IFAs.
At a Money Marketing structured products round table last week, Lowes, who is also founder of StructuredProduct Review.com, said a partnership between the UK Structured Product Association and an examination body could help raise the bar.
He said: “I would like to see the Structured Product Association team up with someone like the Chartered Insurance Institute and produce an exam. Why not have a training guide, some coursework and an exam?”
Morgan Stanley executive director of UK structured products Marc Chamberlain, whose firm is a member of the Structured Product Association, said the idea had been mooted.
The Financial Services Skills Council has said that advisers must demonstrate an ability to analyse the characteristics, inherent risks, behaviours and relevant tax considerations of structured products in its investment core standards for QCF level four.
Personal Finance Society chief executive Fay Goddard says: “I would not support an individual exam just for structured products because you must not look at products in isolation but it is very important that advisers understand the components of str uctured products and what they do. We would be more than willing to work with the association on this.”
