Money Marketing
Tracey Scott Editorial

Tracey joined Money Marketing in June 2008 covering protection and now also covers wraps and platforms. Prior to MM, Tracey worked for a daily newspaper in Manchester from 2006 to March 2008. Tracey won the ABI's life insurance and protection journalist of the year award in 2009.

Preferential pricing deals at Elevate

23 Apr 2010

Axa Elevate is offering some adviser firms more competitive prices for using the platform, depending on factors such as average case size submitted by firms and the number of registered individuals.
Fraudster tarnished IFAs' image

22 Apr 2010

A judge has slammed ex-Burns Anderson adviser Grahame Whitehead for tarnishing the reputation of IFAs, as he was jailed for 10 years for a £12m pyramid fraud.
Head of sales Anders leaves Bupa Income Protection

22 Apr 2010

Bupa Individual Protection head of sales Mark Anders has left the company.
£12M pyramid fraud went on for five years

22 April 2010

Full details from court of the £12m fraud trial of ex-Burns Anderson adviser Grahame Whitehead.
CI paid claims hit record high

20 Apr 2010

The industry paid a record number of claims in 2009, research from Moneyfacts reveals.
L&G launches website for group protection

20 Apr 2010

The new site is designed for advisers combining all of L&G’s employee benefit propositions.
LV= slashes protection rates

19 Apr 2010

LV= has enhanced its protection range, including cutting the rates of accident and sickness cover.
Ex-Burns Anderson IFA jailed for 10 years for £12m fraud

15 Apr 2010

Grahame Whitehead pleaded guilty to defrauding 46 victims through a pyramid investment scam.
Ex-Burns Anderson IFA pleads guilty to £12m fraud

15 Apr 2010

Former Burns Anderson IFA Grahame Whitehead has pleaded guilty to defrauding investors out of almost £12m.
Big fines for Rock pair over arrears data

15 April 2010

The FSA has fined former Northern Rock deputy chief executive David Baker £504,000 and ex-managing credit director Richard Barclay £140,000 for misreporting mortgage arrears figures.
Forum will discuss protection issues

15 April 2010

Consultancy firm Finance and Technology Research Centre has launched a protection forum to address operational issues in the protection market.
Aviva slams cash account charges

14 Apr 2010

Aviva Wrap head of marketing Nicholas Burton says imposing cash account charges is “like a back door to take additional charges from customers”.
Kevin Carr and FTRC launch protection forum

14 Apr 2010

The forum has been set up to to address operational issues in the protection market.
The ABI's strategic agenda

13 Apr 2010

The Association of British Insurers’ protection strategy committee has set out its agenda for 2010.
RICS appoints CEO

13 Apr 2010

Chief operating officer Sean Tompkins has been named the new chief executive.
Dodging the detail

13 Apr 2010

Yesterday’s Labour party manifesto left social care spectators with more questions than answers.
LV= reports £91m pre-tax loss

13 Apr 2010

LV= has reported an IFRS loss before tax of £91.4m for 2009, and an underlying profit of £44.2m.
Parmenion appoints regional manager duo

13 Apr 2010

Whitechurch Securities compliance manager Neal Smith and St James’ Place Wealth Management partner Danny Arthurs join the platform.
Intelliflo predicts surge in simplified advice solutions

13 Apr 2010

Intelliflo says more software providers will consider launching an automated internet offering for simplified advisers following the RDR.
Labour manifesto: Brown fails to clear up care service funding questions

12 Apr 2010

Delivering his party manifesto today, Prime Minister Gordon Brown failed to fully explain how his proposed National Care Service will be funded.
Unum enhances group IP proposition

12 Apr 2010

Unum is enhancing its group income protection proposition to include an associated business cost cover option.
Friends Provident pays over 92% of CI claims

12 Apr 2010

The provider paid £34.5m in CI claims last year, representing 92.6 per cent.
Dunstan Thomas enhances front office system

12 Apr 2010

Dunstan Thomas is enhancing its front office system to give advisers granular asset-level projections for pensions and other product wrappers.
Defaqto appoints COO

9 Apr 2010

Zahid Bilgrami joins the financial research company from Balfour Beatty.
IoD calls for emergency Budget and regulation overhaul

9 Apr 2010

The Institute of Directors is calling for an emergency Budget and an overhaul of regulation in the first 100 days of a new government.
Baigrie and ABI link up to promote protection

9 Apr 2010

Lifesearch’s Tom Baigrie is working with the ABI to help raise consumer awareness of protection.
Catastrophe ruled out for TPD

9 Apr 2010

The ABI has rejected the name catastrophic disability benefit to replace total permanent disability
2plan launches mobile version of Nexus portal

8 April 2010

2plan Wealth Management has launched a mobile version of its adviser portal Nexus.
Nationwide may close four mortgage service centres

7 Apr 2010

Nationwide is proposing to close four mortgage service centres and is placing 145 staff in consultation.
Aviva reduces AMC on its wrap

7 Apr 2010

Aviva will be reducing the annual management charge for all new business and re-registrations onto its wrap for one year.
L&G to offer Bupa health insurance

7 Apr 2010

Legal & General is to offer Bupa medical insurance through its network.
Elevate signs up 500 advisers

6 Apr 2010

Total assets on the platform is now £850m, with around 500 IFAs signed up.
Payment ban splits firms

1 Apr 2010

The FSA plan for banning any payments between providers and platforms, including all rebates, has split the platform industry.
Banning bundled pricing will hinder advice process, warns Cofunds

1 Apr 2010

Cofunds says banning bundled pricing will confuse the end customer and hinder the independent advice process.
James Hay staff fear axe in IFG business review

1 Apr 2010

The entire James Hay workforce is facing the risk of redundancy following its £38.9m acquisition by IFG last month.
Advisers say FSA needs to probe bank protection sales

1 April 2010

Sales standards of pure protection products sold by mortgage intermediaries are being reviewed by the FSA to ensure patterns of commission-driven sales do not arise.
Govt sets up commission to tackle care funding

30 Mar 2010

National Care Service Commission will advise ministers on how to fund a National Care Service after no political consensus was reached.
Exeter Friendly appoints head of intermediary sales

30 Mar 2010

Mike O’Brien joins the mutual from JMD Associates.
Swiss Re appoints head of client markets for UK/Ireland

30 Mar 2010

Russell Higginbotham will take up the post in May when he returns from Swiss Re’s Australian operation.
Health Insurance Counter Fraud Group to launch fraud qualification

30 Mar 2010

The news comes after the HICFG extends its membership to include cash plan providers.
FSA gives total premium disclosure deadline

30 Mar 2010

The FSA has given protection providers and distributors until the end of 2010 to implement its total premium requirement.
Kerrie Kelly to open Protection Review dinner

30 Mar 2010

The Association of British Insurers’ director general Kerrie Kelly is to open this year’s Protection Review dinner.
Ian Taylor

29 Mar 2010

Wraps in the UK are coming up to their 10th birthday this month and Transact’s managing director is proud of helping to blaze the trail. He believes the company is well placed for the next 10 years as it is already positioned for the RDR and concentrates on its core business of service for IFAs Interview by Tracey Scott
RDR: Protection proposals could cost insurers £20m

26 Mar 2010

As a result of the FSA’s RDR proposals, compliance costs for providers will be between £10 and £20m.
RDR: Commission to stay for Cobs/Icobs protection sales

26 Mar 2010

FSA allows commission to stay for all protection sales, and it will not read-across adviser labelling.
Paul Armson sets up lifestyle planning support firm

26 Mar 2010

Former Prestwood head of marketing Paul Armson has set up a support panel for lifestyle financial planners
Macquarie appoints Michael Hawker to board

25 Mar 2010

Earlier this year Aviva appointed Michael Hawker as an independent non-executive director.
Cut in business rates welcomed

25 Mar 2010

Chancellor Alistair Darling’s decision to cut business rates and double the annual investment allowance for small firms has been welcomed by industry experts.
Nest unveils trustee board and appoints Jeannie Drake as deputy chair

25 Mar 2010

Nest has also unveiled its trustee board.
LV= appoints strategy director for life and pensions

25 Mar 2010

Myles Rix joins the provider from Aviva Health, where he was finance and commercial director.
Hat-trick for Axa in protection awards

25 March 2010

Axa picked up the highest number of accolades at this year’s Lifesearch protection awards for the third year running.
Thiam sticks with his day job

25 March 2010

Prudential chief executive Tidjane Thiam has rejected a nonexecutive director role at Société Générale following strong criticism from shareholders that he should be devoting his time to dealing with the insurer’s acquisition of AIG’s Asian arm.
Transact looks to add GPPs

25 March 2010

Transact is considering launching a group personal pension on its wrap.
Turner wants power to seize 'party punchbowl'

25 March 2010

Turner: Four macro-prudential tools put forward in speech
BUDGET 2010: "noise and no honesty", says Clegg

24 Mar 2010

Nick Clegg slams both parties for making “lots of noise” and showing “no honesty whatsoever” during the delivery of today’s Budget.
BUDGET 2010: Govt extends help for unemployed

24 Mar 2010

Chancellor Alistair Darling is extending the support Government offers the unemployed.
BUDGET 2010: Govt freezes IHT threshold for four years

24 Mar 2010

Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced Government is freezing the Inheritance Tax threshold for four years.
Aviva adds drawdown functionality to wrap

24 Mar 2010

Aviva is adding a drawdown functionality on its wrap to allow customers to draw income on specific funds.
1st - The Exchange to rebrand

23 Mar 2010

The new name is expected to be unveiled in the summer, subject to consultation and legal planning.
Axa terminates MPPI contract with Berkeley Alexander

23 Mar 2010

From March 31 the provider will no longer underwrite Berkeley Alexander’s mortgagesure and mortgagesure plus products.
Former savings chief executive quits Standard Life

23 Mar 2010

Former Standard Life Savings chief executive Geoff Towers is leaving the group at the end of March.
Aviva UK Health appoints chief surgical officer

23 Mar 2010

Tom Dehn will be working closely with Aviva UK Health chief medical officer.
L&G offers pooling facility to group clients

22 Mar 2010

Legal & General has joined All Net to offer quotes on group risk products to international clients on a pooled basis.
Rowanmoor welcomes new French property rules

22 Mar 2010

French pass new law recognising trusts which makes it easier for UK pension schemes to invest in French property.
Ascentric strengthens business development team

22 Mar 2010

Julia Dobell joins the wrap from The Hartford.
Aviva reduces acceptance time by 40%

19 Mar 2010

Aviva has almost halved the time it takes to accept a protection application.
Paul Armson leaves Prestwood

19 Mar 2010

Armson has stepped down to pursue other business interests.
Bupa offers Best Doctors to group CI customers

19 Mar 2010

Claimants and their families can now access independent medical information from Best Doctors.
IoD calls for public sector reform

19 Mar 2010

The IoD says the public sector wastes at least £25bn a year through massive duplication of services.
2plan launches client portal

19 Mar 2010

The portal provides online access to personal policy details and valuations direct from product providers.
Govt borrowing to fall below £178bn forecast

19 Mar 2010

Full-year Government borrowing figures are expected to come below Alistair Darling’s forecast of £178bn for the year.
Burgess says Govt and quango workers can't find cover

19 Mar 2010

Former British Insurance MD says some unemployment protection providers are refusing to cover Government workers and employees from quangos such as the FSA.
Income protection taskforce sets up adviser roadshows

19 Mar 2010

The Income Protection Task Force is running roadshows across the UK from next month.
Pru's Thiam turns down SocGen role amid shareholder backlash

18 Mar 2010

Prudential chief Tidjane Thiam will not take up a non-executive role at Société Générale after claims he should be concentrating on his day job.
Aegon launches RDR support centre

18 Mar 2010

The centre is available to all advisers and offers practical planning and guidance.
Royal London 360° appoints marketing manager

18 Mar 2010

Andrew Dudgeon has been appointed product and investment marketing manager.
Four banks charged with fraud

18 Mar 2010

UBS, JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank and Depfa were charged with fraud yesterday.
Turner calls for greater powers to address asset bubble concerns

18 Mar 2010

FSA chairman suggests a number of tools to address role of credit in driving asset price cycles.
Skandia adds Elevate to Platformwatch tool

18 Mar 2010

The tool will now compare platform costs on Elevate, Skandia, Transact, Cofunds, Fundsnetwork, Nucleus and Standard Life Wrap.
Avalon looks at offering two plans using Mip structure

18 Mar 2010

Avalon is considering launching an offshore bond and insurance policy on its platform similar to a maximum investment plan.
Munich Re reshuffles protection team

18 Mar 2010

Munich Re is restructuring its management team to focus on four specific areas - individual protection reinsurance, group risk reinsurance, longevity and financial reinsurance.
Advisers get a warning over relying on platforms

18 March 2010

The FSA has warned advisers not to be over-reliant on platforms.
Affinity links are big draw for advisers

18 Mar 2010

’The wishlist of the average IFA right now is that they simply want more clients’
Aviva academy aims to explain process of underwriting

18 Mar 2010

Aviva is setting up an underwriting academy to help advisers understand the process, following a successful pilot.
Death of Simon Clamp

18 March 2010

Simon Clamp: ‘Integrity personified’
MPs call for political pact on social care

18 March 2010

Report reveals forms of rationing
Zurich launches protection microsite

17 Mar 2010

The new site offers a suite of marketing tools and templates to help advisers kick-start an effective protection campaign.
Aegon pilots premium waiver and rehab service for IP

17 Mar 2010

Aegon is piloting a physiotherapy service and a waiver of premium for its income protection policyholders.
MPC minutes reveal split on inflation concerns

17 Mar 2010

Minutes from the MPC’s meeting earlier this month show that members drew different conclusions about inflation risks in the UK.
Former Aviva Investors head joins TCF's investment committee

17 Mar 2010

Former Aviva Investors head of retail structured products Dr Jeremy Bezant joins the TCF Investment Committee.
Shaun Sandiford joins Axa Elevate

17 Mar 2010

Former Ascentric head of sales joins platform as distribution director.
OFT unveils new banking commitments

17 Mar 2010

The Office of Fair Trading has announced new banking industry commitments on unarranged overdrafts.
European investment directive delayed after Brown intervention

17 Mar 2010

EU legislation to curb the powers of hedge funds has been delayed until after the general election.
Partnership model suggested to solve LTC dilemma

16 Mar 2010

The King’s Fund says a revised version of the partnership model is the fairest way of funding social care in the future.
Friends Prov urges employers to keep benefits package

16 Mar 2010

A recent Friends survey found that 34 per cent of employees would take a pay cut rather than lose their health benefits.
Cofunds/Fidelity team up to offer Isa/Sipp collection opportunity

16 Mar 2010

Fidelity Fundsnetwork and Cofunds have partnered to offer advisers help with any last minute collection of Isa and Sipp applications.
Cirencester pays 94% of IP claims

16 Mar 2010

The income protection provider says declined claims were due to non-disclosure and no evidence of loss of earnings.
E&Y to face questioning from audit watchdog

16 Mar 2010

Ernst and Young is to face questioning from the Financial Reporting Council over Lehman Brothers’ accounts.
RBS plans debt buy-back

16 Mar 2010

The bailed-out bank is planning a £10bn restructuring in a bid to boost capital and confidence with bond holders.
Aviva launches new group CI proposition

15 Mar 2010

Group customers can choose from a standard list of illnesses and procedures or an extended list.
Scot Wids Bank reports profit increase

15 Mar 2010

Scottish Widows Bank has reported a pre-tax profit of £38.2m for 2009, but a £100m drop in its mortgage book.
Accord withdraws products

15 Mar 2010

Accord has launched a range of new products after withdrawing its existing range on Friday.
Friends Provident MD Simon Clamp dies

12 Mar 2010

Friends Provident managing director of UK business Simon Clamp has died following a short illness.
Ascentric launches branding service for IFAs

12 Mar 2010

The service allows advisers to integrate their brand into the Ascentric platform and brand each page.
Novia's GIA available via Friends' offshore bond

12 Mar 2010

Novia’s gross general investment account is now accessible within Friends Provident International’s offshore bond.
MPs blast social care system

12 Mar 2010

The health committee’s latest report says the social care system in England is underfunded, discriminatory and severely rationed.
Montague Capital picks Praemium to run portfolios

11 Mar 2010

Montague Capital has picked Praemium’s discretionary platform to run its managed fund investment portfolios.
Peter Jordan quits Skandia

11 Mar 2010

Skandia head of proposition marketing Peter Jordan has left the firm to pursue a career in teaching.
L&G pays over 93% of CI claims

11 Mar 2010

Legal & General paid 93.6 per cent of all critical illness claims in 2009, while Aegon paid 88 per cent.
Technology packages can cut wrap costs

11 Mar 2010

Platforum says firms looking at launching a corporate platform should use off-the-shelf technology to avoid high costs.
Aifa draws up guide and warns that only three platforms will survive

11 March 2010

Cummings: ‘Far fewer in future’
Munich Re reports £2.3bn profit

10 Mar 2010

The reinsurance group saw profits after tax and expenses increase 64 per cent to £2.3bn in 2009.
Skandia and Scot Prov pay 91% of CI claims

10 Mar 2010

Skandia and Scottish Provident both paid out 91 per cent of all critical illness claims last year.
Fortis proposes name change to Ageas

10 Mar 2010

Fortis is to change its name to Ageas in 2011, subject to shareholder approval.
Lord Lipsey outlines principles to tackle social care reform

9 Mar 2010

Labour peer Lord Lipsey has drafted a paper outlining steps government needs to take to help tackle social care reform.
FSA estimates PPI redress could reach over £4bn

9 Mar 2010

The FSA says PPI redress could cost the industry over £4bn.
Bupa reports 117% surplus increase

9 Mar 2010

Bupa has reported a 117 per cent increase in surplus before tax for 2009.
Towergate Financial strengthens private client team

9 Mar 2010

Towergate Financial has appointed Steve Petrie as a director in its private client business.
Standard Life ponders sale of healthcare arm

9 Mar 2010

The group is considering the sale of its health insurance business, said to be worth around £200m.
Evercore Pan-Asset launches Oeics on Ascentric

9 Mar 2010

The two funds will run exclusively as model portfolios on Ascentric and will invest in selected ETFs.
British Insurance appoints new MD

8 Mar 2010

Nel Mooy replaces Simon Burgess.
Nucleus signs Glasgow-based IFA

8 Mar 2010

Glasgow-based IFA Strategic Asset Managers has joined Nucleus.
Friends Provident to host business protection seminars

8 Mar 2010

The three seminars, available from March 22, are aimed at advisers who have different levels of business protection knowledge.
Macquarie appoints chief operating officer

8 Mar 2010

Macquarie Banking and Financial Services has appointed Neil Roderick as its group chief operating officer.
Moody's rating warning for insurers over RDR

5 Mar 2010

Insurers which rely too heavily on IFA distribution could see their ratings affected following implementation of the retail distribution review, warns Moody’s.
ABI takes on protection push but without ads

4 Mar 2010

The Association of British Insurers’ protection strategy committee has taken up the reins from the failed consumer protection and insurance engagement campaign but it will not feature a media push.
Aegon rolls out tele-claims service for protection

4 Mar 2010

Aegon is rolling out its tele-claims service for critical illness and terminal illness claims following a successful pilot.
British Friendly picks IP consultant

4 Mar 2010

British Friendly Society is developing a new income protection product and has hired former Pioneer Friendly Society chief executive Paul Protheroe on a consultancy basis to work on the launch.
Cofunds founder Creak sets up own firm

4 March 2010

Cofunds co-founder and former business development director Andy Creak has set up his own financial services firm.
Life and pension profits slump at Lloyds Bank

4 March 2010

Lloyds Banking Group’s UK life, pensions and investments division saw a 25 per cent drop in profits last year to £617m from £826m in 2008.
MD Golder leaves Bankhall

4 March 2010

Bankhall managing director David Golder has left the Sesame Bankhall Group.
MP says 2.4m older people get tax raw deal

4 March 2010

Leigh: System for dealing with older people’s tax is too complex
Now Transact joins the platform price-cutters

4 March 2010

Transact is reducing annual and transaction charges on its wrap.
Resilient results at SJP

4 March 2010

Lloyds-backed distributor St James’s Place made a profit of £363.2m for 2009 on a European embedded value basis after losses of £115.9m in 2008.
Weaker house prices as momentum is lost

4 March 2010

House prices fell by 1 per cent in February, the latest Nationwide monthly house price index reveals.
Aifa starts work on platform guide

3 Mar 2010

The guide aims to outline the due diligence dangers of picking a platform.
Cofunds founder Creak sets up own firm

3 Mar 2010

Cofunds co-founder and former business development director Andy Creak has set up his own financial services firm.
LV= cuts CI rates

2 Mar 2010

The protection provider says it is slashing rates across 82.5 per cent of its CI range, with reductions ranging from 4 per cent to 31 per cent.
FSA fines and bans mortgage broker for fraud

2 Mar 2010

Dele MacAulay has been fined £115,157 for knowingly submitting nine fraudulent mortgage applications for himself, his wife, and his brother.
Govt says care specialists must help re-engineer LTC system

2 Mar 2010

Pensions minister Angela Eagle says politicians and elderly care specialists must work together.
Duo charged with £61m fraud

1 Mar 2010

Two men have been charged with fraud against Allied Irish Banks totalling £56m and Bank of Scotland totalling £5m.
David Golder to leave Sesame Bankhall

1 Mar 2010

Bankhall managing director David Golder has left the Sesame Bankhall Group.
Canada Life Investment appoints new marketing head

1 Mar 2010

Frank Maret joins as head of investment marketing and client service from Insight Investment.
Transact reduces charges

1 Mar 2010

Transact is reducing the annual and transaction charges on its wrap.
UK/Icesave talks collapse

26 Feb 2010

Iceland has rejected an offer from the British and Dutch governments yesterday to soften the repayment terms of the £3.4bn lost in the failed bank Icesave.
House prices dip 1%, says Nationwide

26 Feb 2010

The average house price fell by a seasonally adjusted 1 per cent in February to £161,320.
TCF Fund Managers appoints ex-Cleri Med director to investment committee

26 Feb 2010

Former Clerical Medical director of pension funds David Somers joins the committee as an independent member.
Lloyds reports £6.3bn loss

26 Feb 2010

Group reports £3.3bn loss in new wealth and international division which includes SWIP.
Are consolidators RDR scaremongers?

26 Feb 2010

In Partnership director claims firms are playing on advisers’ fears
Dozen more firms to enter wrap by 2012

26 Feb 2010

Transact says another 12 players will enter the wrap race by 2012 suggesting the sector is “nowhere near saturation point”.
IFAs could save councils £1bn a year

26 Feb 2010

Partnership calls on local councils to use the expertise of IFAs to advise them on long-term care.
RBS reports £3.6bn loss

25 Feb 2010

The loss is down from £24.3bn in 2008.
Aegon appoints COO and reports 23% drop in life/pensions new business

25 Feb 2010

Aegon has appointed Adrian Grace as chief operating officer for life and pensions as it reports a 23 per cent drop in new business for that sector.
Committee of Public Accounts calls for tax clarity for elderly

25 Feb 2010

Chairman Edward Leigh MP says more work needs to be done to make tax reporting for older people clearer and more efficient.
Cirencester seeks Icob regime for income cover

25 Feb 2010

Cirencester Friendly Society is meeting with the FSA to discuss whether its income protection plan can be governed by Icob rules rather than Cob following the retail distribution review.
Isas to soar as limit and confidence are boosted

25 February 2010

Isa business levels are expected to soar as a result of April’s £3,000 allowance increase for all investors.
Massow returns with comparison website

25 February 2010

Joan Collins launches the new Compare for Good price comparison website with Ivan Massow and Cathy Ferrier from Oxfam
Symponia sets out choice to end LTC political battle

25 February 2010

Long-term care specialist Symponia has hit out at politicians for their public battle over how to fund personal care for the elderly.
Bright Grey pays 93% of CI claims

24 Feb 2010

Bright Grey paid out 93 per cent of all critical illness claims in 2009, latest figures show.
Widows and Ascentric in corporate wrap move

24 Feb 2010

Both Scottish Widows and Ascentric will enter the corporate wrap market this year and Nucleus says it is looking at the sector.
Brooks Macdonald appoints two investment managers

24 Feb 2010

The double appointment brings the number of investment managers to 33.
Barclays looking at platform launch

24 Feb 2010

Bank understood to be planning a direct-to-consumer platform proposition.
St James's Place reveals £363.2m profit

24 Feb 2010

Lloyds-backed distributor St James’s Place reports a pre-tax profit of £363.2m for 2009 on an EEV basis.
Govt ends 100% guarantee for Northern Rock savers

24 Feb 2010

Savers will now be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
HSBC abandons salary increase for CEO

24 Feb 2010

HSBC has abandoned its plans to increase the salary of chief executive Michael Geoghegan following shareholder protests.
Capita launches split protection service

23 Feb 2010

The new service allows advisers to quote on different life and CI cover levels on the same illustration.
So, what should TPD be renamed?

23 Feb 2010

The Association of British Insurers is inviting the IFA community to help it think up a new name for total permanent disability.
Entrepreneur Tony Banks calls for 1% tax increase to fund elderly care

23 Feb 2010

Banks says Government should introduce a 1 per cent tax increase that is ring fenced for elderly care.
Bupa enhances online IP trading system

23 Feb 2010

The system now allows IFAs to upload multiple product applications in one action.
Leeds Building Society records 56% profit increase

23 Feb 2010

The society recorded a pre-tax profit of £31.7m for 2009, up 56 per cent on the previous year’s £20.3m.
Lloyds' Daniels waives £2.3m bonus

23 Feb 2010

Eric Daniels’ decision comes after Stephen Hester waived his £1.6m bonus yesterday.
Bravura CEO resigns

23 Feb 2010

Bravura group chief executive and managing director Iain Dunstan has resigned.
Coronation Street star records death tax warning video

19 Feb 2010

William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, raises concerns about any potential death tax.
Tories boycott conference to discuss care costs

19 Feb 2010

The Conservatives are refusing to take part in a conference about the funding of social care for the elderly.
Advisers who restrict cover face losing independent status

19 Feb 2010

Advisers who fail to offer life insurance, income protection and critical-illness cover could lose their independent status.
Cofunds addresses IFA fears after coming ninth in Platforum survey

19 Feb 2010

Cofunds says it is not surprised that it was ranked ninth in the latest Platforum research and it is addressing adviser concerns over unbundling charges.
Aviva UK Health appoints international BDM

18 Feb 2010

Teresa Rogers joins Aviva UK Health from Pru Health.
£70M April levy will break some advisers

18 Feb 2010

Warning over huge burden placed on advisers in limited time frame.
'Indemnity drug is killing businesses'

18 Feb 2010

Fortis Life UK managing director Martin Werth is calling for insurers to reduce the level of up-front commission paid to advisers, claiming it is like “heroin” for distributors.
Investment firm fined £1,000 for acquiring firm without FSA approval

17 Feb 2010

Semperian PPP Investment Partners has been fined £1,000 for acquiring a firm before it had received approval from the FSA
Oxfam and Ivan Massow launch comparison site

17 Feb 2010

Compare for Good has been launched by Oxfam and will be managed by former IFA Ivan Massow.
FSA urged to clarify cover disclosure

17 Feb 2010

Richard Verdin calls for greater clarification of the FSA’s requirements for commission disclosure on protection sold alongside investment advice.
Nucleus predicts market divide in 2010

17 Feb 2010

Ferguson says “true wraps” will emerge as the winners in 2010.
Aegon increases discounts for multiple-benefits

17 Feb 2010

Aegon has increased the multi-benefit discounts for policyholders who take out two or more benefits on the same plan.
Paradigm confidence despite loss of £1.5m

17 Feb 2010

Paradigm Partners has recorded a £1.5m loss in its latest fin-ancial results.
Fidelity offers re-reg and Isa cash payment

16 Feb 2010

Fidelity is offering advisers a payment for each re-registered case and £5 per online Isa application.
Martin Werth: How to close the gap

16 Feb 2010

Martin Werth says breaking things down is the key to growing the protection market.
L&G records 34% increase in life business

16 Feb 2010

Legal & General has reported a 34 per cent increase in the number of whole of life policies sold for inheritance tax planning.
Aegon to host protection seminars for IFAs

16 Feb 2010

Aegon is hosting a series of protection workshops for advisers.
Ken Davy to chair alternative assessment RDR support group

16 Feb 2010

Alternative Assessment Project Group set up to examine practical issues of the FSA’s proposed alternative assessment RDR route.
Skandia to cut 150 jobs to lower wrap costs

15 Feb 2010

Skandia to cut 150 jobs as part of 20 per cent cuts aimed at lowering platform charges.
Capita launches all-encompassing website

15 Feb 2010

The new website combines Capita Financial Software’s Quay, Synaptic and Webline propositions.
Towergate launches corporate business and platform

15 Feb 2010

Towergate Financial has launched its new corporate solutions proposition, which includes a corporate platform.
Political clash over long-term care

15 Feb 2010

The Labour party has called for a cross-party conference on the issue of funding long-term care for the elderly.
Citizens Advice warns tenants of fraudulent money transfers

15 Feb 2010

The Citizens Advice Bureau is reporting cases of people falling victim to a money transfer scam.
Ex-Burns Anderson IFA remanded in custody

12 Feb 2010

Ex-Burns Anderson IFA remanded in custody in suspected £8m fraud trial.
Aviva enhances PMI cover

12 Feb 2010

Enhancements include the addition of two new reduced out-patient benefit options and a choice of higher excess options.
IFA helps workers hit by steel plant closure

12 Feb 2010

IFA firm Carterbar has been asked by the FSA to help workers at Corus steel plant manage their finances.
West Brom partners with Axa Bancassurance

11 Feb 2010

The agreement sees West Brom’s advisers advise exclusively on Axa’s products.
Gummer's mp expenses are mown down by legg

11 February 2010

Gummer: £29,398 repayment
Transact chief Taylor hits out at ‘misleading tactics’ by platforms

11 February 2010

Transact chief executive Ian Taylor claims that platforms are misleading IFAs in a bid to win market share before the retail distribution review changes are implemented.
Advisers on Platforum give Nucleus the top vote

10 Feb 2010

Nucleus has been voted best platform by advisers using Platforum.
Aviva removes initial charge on platform

10 Feb 2010

The move comes two weeks after Aviva reopened its wrap for new business seven months later than expected.
Councils warn of costs of free care pledge

10 Feb 2010

Government plans to provide free home care under the Personal Care At Home Bill could cost local authorities more than £20m.
Nucleus unveils new IFA advisory board

5 Feb 2010

Reeve Sims and The Fry Group have joined the seven-strong board.
Aifa chairman and MP John Gummer told to pay back £29,398

5 Feb 2010

Gummer made the claim for gardening expenses and lawnmower repairs.
2plan launches company share scheme for advisers

5 Feb 2010

The scheme is open to all existing 2plan members and any new joiners appointed prior to May 31 this year.
Praemium UK doubles assets under administration

5 Feb 2010

The platform firm recorded £39m in assets under administration by December 31 last year, up from £17.5m by the end of Q3.
Fidelity to host IFA workshops

4 Feb 2010

Fidelity Fundsnetwork is hosting 27 workshops across the UK this month, focusing on regulation and the economic environment.
Skandia creates two new support teams for IFAs

4 Feb 2010

Skandia has created a new technical support team and online team to help advisers.
Aviva cutting premiums for critical cover with exclusions

4 February 2010

Aviva is reducing premiums for its critical-illness plan when policy exclusions apply.
Aviva’s wrap is back after a long delay

4 February 2010

Aviva reopened its wrap for new business last week - seven months later than expected.
Ex-Personal Touch chief Wilson backs lead generator

4 February 2010

Former Personal Touch Financial Services chairman Martin Wilson is backing a new protection lead-generation company with his wife Amanda.
Platform tickets

4 February 2010

Tracey Scott reports on why some advisers either use a variety of platforms or are reluctant to use any.
Platforum turns to Capita to boost analysis service

4 February 2010

The Platforum is teaming up with Capita Financial Software to relaunch its platform analysis tool.
Skandia tool aims to shed light on opaque with-profits

4 February 2010

Skandia has launched a withprofits bond analysis tool to help identify penalty-free exit opportunities and compare performance against alternative tax wrappers.
L&G enhances corporate platform

3 Feb 2010

L&G is adding an employer-financed retirement benefit scheme and a cash Isa on its corporate platform.
L&G enhances IP plan

3 Feb 2010

Enhancements include an increase in the maximum benefit and an increase in expiry age.
84% of advisers to remain independent post-RDR, says JP Morgan

3 Feb 2010

Research by JP Morgan Asset Management found one in seven IFAs will leave as a result of RDR, but 84 per cent will remain independent.
L&G offers split sums assured

1 Feb 2010

Different sums assured are available on critical illness cover and term assurance.
Campbell Dallas joins Succession

1 Feb 2010

The IFA firm has £200m in funds under management and will become Succession’s Scotland-based hub.
Ex-PTFS chairman Martin Wilson launches new leads firm

29 Jan 2010

The Consumer and Data Cleansing Centre will specialise in protection leads.
Towergate launches active multi-asset portfolio range

29 Jan 2010

The new active portfolios will be managed by Cazenove Capital.
House prices up 1.2%, says Nationwide

29 Jan 2010

The average house price in January was £163,481, up 0.8 per cent on December.
JP Morgan to launch corporate banking unit

29 Jan 2010

The new business will be aimed at selling loans and commercial banking services to corporations.
Price war looming for platforms

29 Jan 2010

TCF Fund Managers co-founder Gary Mairs says a platform price war is likely to break out in a fight for market share.
Northern Rock picks L&G for protection business

28 Jan 2010

Legal & General will provide life protection and investment products.
Nationwide pilots new IFA arm

28 Jan 2010

Nationwide is piloting a new IFA arm, with a view to rolling it out across Cheshire, Derbyshire and Dunfermline building societies.
Skandia launches with-profits analysis tool

28 Jan 2010

Skandia has launched a with-profits bond analysis tool to help identify penalty-free exit opportunities and compare performance against alternativetax wrappers.
Matisonn quits Pru in return to South Africa

28 Jan 2010

Pru Health chief executive Shaun Matisonn is leaving the firm after five years.
Aegon platform could be launched within a year

28 January 2010

Aegon is working with wrap tech nology provider GBST on the dev elopment of its platform, which Money Marketing understands could launch within a year. Milestone Wealth Management principal Neil Mumford says: “Life companies need to be in that area because the traditional model is very much broken. The majority of life companies that stay in the market without a solution will struggle.”
Dalton Brown joins Barclays Wealth to head fund range

28 January 2010

Dalton-Brown: Barclays’ move
MPs want FSA to oversee advice given to councils

28 January 2010

MPs say the FSA should regulate the advice given to public sector bodies about managing cash reserves and investments.
Cofunds to offer unbundled pricing option

27 Jan 2010

Sales and marketing director Alastair Conway says the platform plans to offer the pricing structure towards the end of 2010.
Aviva reduces premiums in line with exclusions

27 Jan 2010

Polices which have cancer or multiple sclerosis exclusions will be reduced.
L&G increases immediate cover limits

27 Jan 2010

Immediate cover is now available on life cover with a £3m maximum sum assured.
Zurich pays 91% of CI claims

27 Jan 2010

The provider paid out £62.3m in critical illness claims in 2009.
Ascentric teams up with Legacy Asset Systems for migration business

27 Jan 2010

Legacy Asset Systems will sound out any clients suitable for asset migration to the platform.
Aegon works with tech firm on wrap launch

27 Jan 2010

Aegon is working with wrap technology provider GBST on the development of its platform, which Money Marketing understands could launch within a year.
Skandia develops unbundled pricing and cash account

27 Jan 2010

New pricing structure to split out adviser, fund group and platform charges.
Resolution appoints three European directors

27 Jan 2010

Resolution has appointed three new directors to its board.
Banks must raise billions to avoid chaos, warns IMF

27 Jan 2010

The International Monetary Fund says banks must raise billions more in capital to fend off a recession relapse.
Capita teams up with The Platforum to relaunch platform analysis tool

27 Jan 2010

The new service, code name Platform Comparator, will now include a pricing and quantitative tool, developed by Capita.
Britain still at risk of recession

27 Jan 2010

Experts are warning of a further slump, sparking fears of a double dip recession.
Focus Solutions appoints new lead business consultant

26 Jan 2010

Martin McKenna joins from Sesame Bankhall, where he was head of ebusiness.
Fidelity considers separate share classes

26 Jan 2010

Fidelity says it will consider issuing separate share classes for its funds available on platforms.
ABI calls for better working conditions to avoid mass exodus

26 Jan 2010

The ABI is calling for a more competitive and business friendly environment to keep businesses in the UK.
Govt outlines UK tax treatment of controlled foreign companies

26 Jan 2010

The Government has published a document on proposals for reforming the UK tax treatment of controlled foreign companies.
Economic growth by 2012 or UK will never recover, warns CBI

26 Jan 2010

The CBI says if the economy fails to meet growth expectations by 2012 it will be impossible to restore public finances.
FSA cracks down on arrears management

26 Jan 2010

Regulator sets out new rules on arrears management and confirms that all brokers will be individually regulated.
Obama's reform plans undermines G20, says CBI

26 Jan 2010

CBI director general Richard Lambert says Barack Obama’s proposals to curb investment banks risky activities are “unilateral” and “vague”.
64% of consumers not seeking financial advice, says Fair Investment Company

25 Jan 2010

The comparison site found that two thirds of investors are investing their money without seeking financial advice.
ETFs dominate 2009, says Barclays

25 Jan 2010

ETF assets invested in Q4 2009 compared to the same period the previous year increased by 31 per cent.
£8bn to exit with-profit market by 2012, says Skandia

25 Jan 2010

Skandia predicts up to £8bn could soon exit with-profits bonds as a result of the opportunity to avoid market value reductions on the tenth anniversary of the policy.
Fortis teams up with Simplybiz

25 Jan 2010

The partnership means Simplybiz members now have access to the provider’s protection products and application systems.
Profit warnings lowest in seven years, says E&Y

25 Jan 2010

Research by the accountancy firm shows that 282 profit warnings were issued during 2009, 37 per cent less than 2008.
Kaupthing to sell British division

25 Jan 2010

The British book of the collapsed bank is worth £2bn.
Confidence returns to housing market, says Rightmove

25 Jan 2010

Its latest house price index shows that the average house price in January was up 0.4 per cent on last month and up 4.1 per cent year-on-year.
Goldman to cap bonuses at £1m

25 Jan 2010

Goldman Sachs is expected to limit bonuses for its London-based staff to £1m.
Boris Johnson fails to support Obama's reshaping plans

25 Jan 2010

A spokesman for the Major of London said Johnson has reservations about Barack Obama’s proposed Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee and his proposed “Volcker rule”.
Lord Myners calls for independent review into banking

25 Jan 2010

The City minister said a review into how investment banking has “permeated “ society must be undertaken following this year’s general election.
Axa scraps initial charge on Elevate's bundled pricing model

22 Jan 2010

Axa is removing the 1.5 per cent initial charge on the bundled pricing model of its Elevate platform.
Brokers look for Natwest boost in rebranding move

22 Jan 2010

Mortgage advisers are hoping the launch of Natwest Intermediary Solutions will signal the start of better exclusive deals for brokers.
Threesixty attracts 5,000 IFAs

21 Jan 2010

Threesixty partner Phil Young says the firm attracted 5,000 advisers by December 31, 2009.
Conway takes over sales in Cofunds' reshuffle

21 Jan 2010

Platform reshuffles senior management.
Forum will mould future shape of ISO advice benchmark

21 January 2010

A development forum has been set up to define the future shape of international financial advice delivery benchmark ISO 22222.
Hornbuckle shuts London office in Sipp admin move

21 January 2010

Hornbuckle Mitchell is closing its London office and transferring its Sipp administration services to Leicester.The firm says no staff are being forced to take redund-ancy although there may be some who do not want to move from London.Managing director Dave White says that while the company is not reducing staff numbers, the relocation could result in a “small” number of staff leaving.He says: “We are not reducing staff, it is just a relocation issue. ...
Kelsall to replace Standard marketing chief Gillespie

21 January 2010

Standard Life marketing director Andrew Gillespie left the firm last week and will be replaced by Bruce Kelsall.Standard has also appointed Ronnie Taylor as director of intermediary partner propositions, taking over responsibility for its platform from Geoff Towers.Towers is focusing on his role as marketing director for Standard’s established affluent client base. He will also oversee the development of Standard’s digital infrastructures for the IFA marketplace.
Local councils facing £60bn shortfalls on pensions

21 January 2010

The Local Government Pension Scheme could face a deficit of more than £60bn next year, freedom of information requests by the Liberal Democrats have revealed.
O'Connor quits Aegon role as platform researcher

21 January 2010

Tim O’Connor has left Aegon, where he researched platform opportunities.O’Connor joined Aegon last February on a contract basis to explore wrap potential for the firm. He joined from UBS Wealth Management, where he was exe-cutive director of the platform, which closed last February.An Aegon spokesman says it will continue exploring wrap opportunities despite O’Connor’s departure. He says: “Now the contract has come to an end, it does not mean that our work into ...
Platforms face cap-ad and tech from the RDR

21 January 2010

Hicks: Impact of failure
SimplyBiz extends fees refund deal

21 January 2010

SimplyBiz has extended its offer to refund examination fees to advisers who have successfully taken CII exams.
Virgin brings in staff for bank

21 January 2010

Virgin Money has appointed former senior staff of Royal Bank of Scotland, Bradford & Bingley and HBOS as it develops its banking proposition.Virgin has recruited former RBS executive Finlay William-son as finance director, former Bradford & Bingley director of savings Ian Cornelius as banking director and HBOS head of legal for retail Marcus Eze-kiel as commercial director.A Virgin Money spokesman says: “We are hiring people with the relevant skills and ...
Zurich launches protection support materials for IFAs

20 Jan 2010

Support materials include training videos, case studies, sales kits and meeting tools.
Nucleus appoints new business development director

20 Jan 2010

F&C Investments’ Barry Neilson joins as business development director, replacing Philip Martin.
Synergy Protect is closing to new business

20 Jan 2010

Protection provider Synergy Protect is closing to new business from January 29.
Aegon's O'Connor leaves role as platform researcher

20 Jan 2010

Tim O’Connor was responsible for researching platform opportunities for the provider.
Standard Life marketing director Andrew Gillespie leaves

20 Jan 2010

Andrew Gillespie left the insurer last week and will be replaced by Bruce Kelsall.
FSA bans insurance broker over £400k premium deception

19 Jan 2010

Synergys Ethical Limited director Mark Hazelwood has been banned for lying and failing to pass on almost £400,000 of insurance premiums.
Royal London 360 appoints wrap relationship manager

19 Jan 2010

Royal London 360 has appointed Mike Lane as wrap relationship manager.
RBS rebrands intermediary arm to Natwest Intermediary Solutions

19 Jan 2010

From next month the intermediary division of RBS will be renamed Natwest Intermediary Solutions.
Insight Financial Associates joins Succession

18 Jan 2010

The East Anglia-based IFA firm has 24 advisers and £200m in funds under management.
Aviva enhances IP plan

18 Jan 2010

Aviva has enhanced its income protection plan by adding an own occupation definition for surgeons.
Standard Life strengthens executive team

18 Jan 2010

Christian Torkington joins Standard Life from RSA Insurance and Sandy Begbie joins the firm from Aegon.
Virgin Money appoints RBS, HBOS and B&B executives

18 Jan 2010

Virgin Money has appointed former RBS executive Finlay Williamson as finance director and former Bradford & Bingley director of savings Ian Cornelius as banking director.
Hornbuckle Mitchell closes London office

15 Jan 2010

Hornbuckle Mitchell is closing its London office and transferring its Sipp administration services to Leicester.
Local Govt Pension Scheme could face £60bn deficit

15 Jan 2010

The Local Government Pension Scheme could face a deficit of more than £60bn next year, research by the Liberal Democrats reveals.
House prices and forward sales up, says Barratt

15 Jan 2010

House prices and forward sales increased during the last six months of 2009, Barratt reveals today.
BoE loses £3.6bn in QE scheme

15 Jan 2010

Research by investment bank Evolution shows the Bank of England lost £3.6bn as a result of the quantitative easing programme.
Obama’s $90bn levy could cost UK banks over £6bn

15 Jan 2010

President Barack Obama’s £55bn Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee could cost UK banks £6.7bn.
Tories promise immediate public spending cuts

15 Jan 2010

Conservative shadow chancellor George Osborne has promised immediate cuts in public spending if his party win the General Election.
'Life platforms at saturation point'

14 Jan 2010

The Platforum managing director Holly Mackay has claimed the life company platform sector will soon be oversaturated.
Aldermore appoints Wave CEO and product director

14 Jan 2010

Wave chief executive Colin Snowdon and director of product development and credit Richard Spinks join the bank.
Consumer confidence in economy dips in Q4 2009, says ABI

14 Jan 2010

ABI research shows that one in three consumers expect the economy to worsen in 2010.
HMRC to close 130 regional offices

14 Jan 2010

HM Revenue and Customs is closing 130 regional offices, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Cameron questions Brown over economic mistakes

14 Jan 2010

Conservative leader David Cameron has challenged Gordon Brown over his “economic mistakes” and the loyalty of his party.
Standard Life set for return to paying pension commission

14 Jan 2010

Standard Life is considering paying initial commission on personal pensions and group personal pensions.
Elevate launches model portfolio service

14 Jan 2010

Axa has added model portfolios and rebalancing capabilities to its Elevate platform.
NPI team aiming to claw back overpaid commission

14 Jan 2010

NPI has employed a dedicated team of administrators to claw back overpaid commission on group personal pensions.
Carr quits Pru which signs up as a client for his new firm

14 January 2010

Pru Protect director of protection Kevin Carr is leaving the company to set up his own consultancy firm.
Co-founder Gains to leave Mint

14 January 2010

Mint Financial Services chief executive officer and co-founder Paul Gains is to leave the net- work next year.Gains has been on garden- ing leave since November and his employment will terminate in February 2011.In an email to Mint employees and advisers from chairman George Higginson on Tuesday, seen by Money Marketing, Higginson says: “We took the decision to terminate his employment after various discussions between the Mint board of directors. We decided ...
Company fraud forecast to triple by 2012

14 January 2010

Fraud cost UK companies almost £2.1bn in 2009, a rise of 76 per cent on the previous year, according to research from BDO Stoy Hayward.Research from the accountancy firm shows losses from frauds reported by UK companies hit the highest total since BDO began keeping records in 2003. The company says the worst is set to come and predicts reported fraud will treble over the next two years.Mortgage fraud accounted for 18 per cent, or £375m, tax fraud 15 per cent ...
Norman setting up low-cost fund firm

14 January 2010

Former Credit Suisse Asset Management UK chief executive David Norman is launching a new asset manager offering low-cost passive investment solutions, with plans to launch a fund range this year.Norman has teamed up with Folio Partners founder Gary Mairs to launch TCF Fund Managers. Fund manager John Kenny has joined the duo as partner and third backer.The new firm will initially offer a low-cost fund management service to IFAs and pension schemes and plans to ...
Saga manifesto sets out a fair future for older people

14 January 2010

Saga has called for an end to the compulsory retirement age and a flat-rate state pension with no means-testing in a manifesto it is presenting to political parties.
Capita relaunches Synaptic

13 Jan 2010

Capita Financial Software has launched a new version of its Synaptic Research software.
1st - The Exchange enhances annuity platform service

13 Jan 2010

1st - The Exchange has launched an enhanced workflow capability to its real time annuity platform.
RGA relocates London office

13 Jan 2010

RGA is relocating its London office due to continued expansion in both the UK and Irish markets.
Mint co-founder and CEO Paul Gains to leave

13 Jan 2010

Mint Financial Services chief executive officer Paul Gains is to leave the firm next year.
Nucleus poaches Standard Life Savings COO for finance director role

13 Jan 2010

Nucleus has appointed former Standard Life Savings chief operating officer Aileen Mathieson as its new chief financial officer.
Skandia head of protection leaves

13 Jan 2010

Skandia head of protection Ian Brown has left the firm.
Cap ad requirements to increase for platforms, says Fidelity's Hicks

13 Jan 2010

Fidelity says capital adequacy requirements for platforms will increase as they become a more significant part of the regulatory framework.
Fidelity promises same pricing arrangements for all fund partners

13 Jan 2010

Fidelity says its FundsNetwork platform will have the same commercial arrangements for each of its fund partners regardless of size.
Fidelity predicts platform market to reach £3tn

13 Jan 2010

Fidelity head of UK fund partners Ed Dymott says the platform market could become a multi trillion pound industry.
Zurich to rebrand Property Investors Unit

12 Jan 2010

Zurich Property Investors Unit is changing its name to Real Estate Insurance this month.
Aviva reduces with-profit income rates for new business

12 Jan 2010

Aviva has announced it is reducing its with-profit income rates for new business, but maintaining regular and final bonus rates.
Google/YouTube to attend IFA internet marketing conference

12 Jan 2010

IFA Life has revealed that a number of IFAs will be speaking alongside Google, YouTube and LinkedIn representatives at its internet marketing conference this week.
House prices show slow increase in December, says RICS

12 Jan 2010

A RICS survey shows that house prices in December increased slowly due to the narrowing gap between supply and demand.
Lib Dems hit out at Govt and promise tax overhaul

12 Jan 2010

Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg sets out plans for a fairer Britain while blasting Labour and Tories.
UKFI head of market investments quits

12 Jan 2010

UK Financial Investments head of market investments John Compton has quit.
Bupa adds 130 own occupation definitions to IP plan

11 Jan 2010

The provider has added more than 130 own occupation definitions to its individual IP proposition including dentists, surgeons and college lecturers.
Progress reduces family income cover rates

11 Jan 2010

The online provider says the new rates are available with immediate effect.
77% of senior bankers expect another financial crisis by 2015, says Complinet

11 Jan 2010

A survey by the compliance firm found that senior banking figures expect another financial crisis to strike by 2015.
Regulatory action over asset allocation a worry for IFAs, says Pru

11 Jan 2010

Research from Prudential shows 39 per cent of advisers are concerned they could face problems justifying investment decisions.
Macquarie strengthens wrap team with new BDM

11 Jan 2010

Former Aviva investment development manager Andrew Naylor joins as business development manager for the north of England and Scotland.
Aviva enhances group IP/life products

11 Jan 2010

Enhancements include lump sum and pay direct options, and increases in free cover limits.
Kevin Carr leaves Pru to set up PR firm

11 Jan 2010

Pru Protect director of protection Kevin Carr is leaving the provider to set up his own consultancy firm.
Hometrack signs services deal with Santander

11 Jan 2010

The contract will provide the Santander Group with services across the risk, treasury and marketing areas of the bank.
Bank of Ireland enters Irish Govt guarantee scheme

11 Jan 2010

Bank of Ireland has entered the Credit Institutions Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme.
Santander opens first branch today

11 Jan 2010

Santander says 1,000 Abbey and Bradford and Bingley branches will be renamed Santander by the end of January.
Cable hits out at Cameron for repetitive stance on clearing UK debt

11 Jan 2010

Lib Dems Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable has criticised David Cameron for stirring up an undesirable debate on the budget deficit.
Perspective acquires thirteenth IFA firm

11 Jan 2010

Perspective Financial Group has acquired IFA firm Future Lifestyle, its thirteenth acquisition to date.
7IM builds new portfolio management tool

11 Jan 2010

Seven Investment Management has built a new trading and portfolio management system for its wrap.
1m people pay mortgage using credit cards, says Shelter

11 Jan 2010

More than one million householders have used credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent in the last 12 months.
Fraud costs UK companies £2.1bn in 2009

11 Jan 2010

Fraud cost UK companies nearly £2.1bn last year, according to research from BDO Stoy Hayward.
Branson approaches Blackstone for Northern Rock bid

11 Jan 2010

Sir Richard Branson has approached US private equity firm Blackstone about backing a bid for Northern Rock.
Former Credit Suisse CEO launches new asset manager

9 Jan 2010

Former Credit Suisse Asset Management UK chief executive David Norman teams up with Folio Partners founder Gary Mairs to launch TCF Fund Managers.
Axa to shut Elevate for maintenance work this weekend

8 Jan 2010

Axa has contacted all IFAs who use the Elevate platform informing them of the closure.
Pru Protect appoints new director of claims/underwriting

8 Jan 2010

Paul Gyseman joins the protection provider from reinsurer Munich Re, where he was chief underwriter.
ABI ends accord over doctors' fees

8 Jan 2010

The Association of British Insurers has ended its arrangement with the British Medical Association on agreed fees for doctors’ reports and medical examinations.
Timms blasts offshore tax evasion as "morally unacceptable"

7 Jan 2010

Treasury Minister Stephen Timms says offshore tax evasion is “morally unacceptable” and places an “unfair burden” on honest taxpayers.
Saga draws up demanding manifesto for government

7 Jan 2010

The manifesto outlines six demands which Saga wishes to push through government in a bid to help those over 50.
Tisa calls for more firms to support re-reg initiative

7 Jan 2010

Tisa is now inviting more firms to help drive the initiative through.
Transact cuts charges ahead of float

7 Jan 2010

Transact is cutting its platform charges ahead of plans to float the business.
Ex-Association of Chartered Certified Accountants president guilty of theft

7 Jan 2010

Former ACCA president Dennis Yeates escaped jail this week after pleading guilty of theft at Warwick Crown Court.
Commission can stay for protection business

07 January 2010

Advisers and insurers are relieved at the FSA’s decision to allow commission to remain for protection products.
Police probe pension case

07 January 2010

Police have launched a fraud investigation concerning for- mer Rowanmoor Pensions joint managing director David Seaton who died last year.
Savills to offer brokers ifs mortgage certificate opportunity

6 Jan 2010

Savills Private Finance is to offer its mortgage brokers the opportunity to qualify for the ifs School of Finance mortgage certificate.
Canada Life offers 10% discount on group life rates

6 Jan 2010

The discount is available to some small schemes transacted via the provider’s online portal.
61% of financial services professionals oppose Darling's bonus tax

6 Jan 2010

CISI data shows nearly two thirds of financial services practitioners believe the super tax on bankers’ bonuses is unjustified.
Equitable with-profit bonus increase has caveats, warns Hargreaves

6 Jan 2010

Pensions analyst Laith Khalaf says the 5.5 per cent increase is not locked in therefore it could be taken away from investors.
Protection opportunities in 2010

5 Jan 2010

Tracey Scott talks to protection experts about the potential business opportunities for IFAs in 2010.
Cirencester Friendly launches tele-interviewing service

5 Jan 2010

The service will speed up the application process and reduce the risk of non-disclosure.
NSAFS strengthens London team

5 Jan 2010

The National Skills Academy for Financial Services has appointed Therese Reinheimer-Jones as regional director for London.
Price Bailey Private Client teams up with Ascentric

4 Jan 2010

The financial planning firm will use Ascentric’s model portfolio functionality to run passive investments for clients.
Syndicate launches wealth management business

4 Jan 2010

Ashcourt Rowan will be led by former Lloyds TSB Private Banking chief executive Mark Cheshire.
Tories expected to reveal public sector pension cuts today

4 Jan 2010

In today’s draft manifesto, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce plans to make public sector pensions more affordable.
87% of defined benefit pension schemes now closed, says ACA

4 Jan 2010

Results show that nearly a quarter of the 309 firms surveyed are considering leveling down their pension benefit when auto-enrolment comes into force.
Bravura Solutions agrees technology deal with Lloyds

4 Jan 2010

The five-year deal sees Bravura provide Lloyds Banking Group with a back office solution until 2015.
L&G ponders move outside EU

21 Dec 2009

Legal and General is considering moving its corporate operations outside Europe to avoid Solvency II.
Best Practice selects Nucleus wrap

21 Dec 2009

Best Practice Chartered Financial Planners has selected Nucleus as its fourth platform provider.
48,000 pensioners forced to sell home to fund LTC

18 Dec 2009

Research by the Liberal Democrats reveals 48,000 people currently in care homes were forced to sell their homes to pay for long-term care this year.
Big firms still to agree on Cofunds' pricing

18 Dec 2009

Eight of the big fund groups are yet to sign up to Cofunds’ new pricing arrangements despite the platform aiming for all companies to agree new terms by January.
Signature tunes into portfolios

18 Dec 2009

Stockbrokers Rowan Dartington is setting up a stand-alone company offering a managed portfolio service for IFAs.
Novia launches pension transfer software on platform

17 Dec 2009

Users of the Novia platform can now access report generation software to illustrate and document pension transfers.
Brits put house insurance before life/CI cover, says Scot Prov

17 Dec 2009

Research shows 71 per cent of Brits have household insurance, compared to just 15 per cent who have critical illness cover
Backing for payout pact

16 Dec 2009

The protection industry is broadly supportive of the Law Commission’s plans for insurers to pay claims even if policyholders fail to make disclosures but concerns have been raised that policy costs could rise as a result.
FSCS appoints new director of operations

16 Dec 2009

Kate Bartlett joins as director of operations on February 1.
Bravura appoints new non-exec director

16 Dec 2009

Bravura Solutions has appointed Brian Mitchell as a non-executive director.
RDR: Industry welcomes FSA's commission decision on protection

16 Dec 2009

IFAs say it “makes sense” and providers claim it was “definitely the right response”.
RDR: Commission on protection to stay post-RDR

16 Dec 2009

Advisers recommending protection policies are allowed to continue earning commission following the retail distribution review.
Cofunds unveils 120 funds on guided architecture panel

16 Dec 2009

Cofunds unveils 120 funds on guided architecture panel
Firms' confidence levels hits a high, says Lloyds

16 Dec 2009

A survey by Lloyds reveals confidence levels in British businesses has reached its highest level since December 2007.
What does the RDR have in store for protection?

16 Dec 2009

The FSA publishes its latest RDR paper today which will look at any possible implications for the protection industry. We hear what the industry expects.
Northern Rock announces new board

15 Dec 2009

Ron Sandler becomes chairman of new Northern Rock while Richard Pym chairs Northern Rock Asset Management.
Fortis offers IFAs 10% extra commission online

15 Dec 2009

The discount is given on all term assurance, critical illness and income protection cases online.
Swiss Re signs pension longevity deal with RBPF

15 Dec 2009

Swiss Re will provide the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund with protection against longevity risk.
Insurers should pay more non-disclosure claims, says Law Commission

15 Dec 2009

New laws proposed by the Law Commission could see insurers pay out claims even if policyholders non-disclose on their application form.
Morgan Stanley appoints new president of investment business

14 Dec 2009

Former Merrill Lynch chief operating officer Gregory Fleming appointed president of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
Lifesearch says FSA has failed to support protection

11 Dec 2009

Firm hits out at the regulator and ABI for failing to highlight the importance of protection.
Verdin heads ABI protection strategy committee

11 Dec 2009

Aviva protection director appointed chair of ABI committee.
Macquarie launches portfolio tool on platform

10 Dec 2009

Macquarie has launched a portfolio tool on its wrap platform to help advisers understand data more easily.
Re-reg still an issue, says CWC Research

10 Dec 2009

A CWC Research survey has revealed that over 50 per cent of advisers believe re-registration is an issue when moving client money.
CML rues stamp duty missed opportunity

10 December 2009

The Council of Mortgage Lenders says the Government’s decision not to extend the stamp duty holiday is a missed opportunity.
IFAs see vote-preserving tactics

10 December 2009

IFAs claim Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-Budget report is too ambitious and built on vote-preserving tactics.
PBR: Govt/FSA pump £20m into Money Guidance roll-out

9 Dec 2009

Government and the Financial Services Authority will inject £20m in funding for the national roll-out of the Money Guidance scheme.
PBR: ABI slams Darling's NI increase and pension changes

9 Dec 2009

The ABI has criticised Chancellor Alistair Darling’s decision to increase national insurance contributions.
PBR: CML disappointed over end of stamp duty holiday

9 Dec 2009

The Council of Mortgage Lenders is disappointed with Chancellor Alistair Darling’s decision to end the stamp duty holiday.
PBR: Darling not extending stamp duty holiday

9 Dec 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling has not extended the stamp duty holiday due to end on December 31.
PBR: Labour failed to deliver PBR tasks, says Osborne

9 Dec 2009

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne has hit out at the Labour party for failing to deliver three key tasks in its pre-Budget report today.
PBR: Darling increases support for unemployed

9 Dec 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling said the one-off levy Government will impose on bank bonuses will help the unemployed back to work.
IFA Chadborn warns on STP systems

8 Dec 2009

CBK Colchester principal Peter Chadborn says insurers could cut corners when using straight through processing systems.
Bupa enhances group IP plan

8 Dec 2009

Bupa is enhancing its group income protection plan by introducing an early intervention service into its claims process.
IFA firm Tenon launches wealth platform

7 Dec 2009

Tenon Financial Services has launched a discretionary wealth platform powered by SEI.
Protection new business sales decline, says ABI

7 Dec 2009

Regular premium protection sales dipped £2m in Q3 this year, while single premium products dropped £193m.
Bupa pays 89% of CI claims

7 Dec 2009

Bupa paid 89 per cent of all critical illness claims during the first three quarters of this year.
Skandia completes full migration onto SIS platform

7 Dec 2009

A total 280,000 policies worth around £5bn in funds under management have now been migrated onto the SIS platform.
Intelliflo announces two senior appointments

7 Dec 2009

The technology firm has appointed Sophie Hall as director of distribution and Mike Rawnsley as sales executive.
Novia launches portfolio analysis tool

4 Dec 2009

The tool compares portfolios held off the platform against those held on Novia.
2plan completes disaster recovery trial

4 Dec 2009

2plan Wealth Management has completed a two-way disaster recovery trial in the event of losing its data.
IFA reputation bolstered by the financial crisis, says Nucleus

4 Dec 2009

A poll of member firms shows belief the crisis has had a positive impact on IFA reputation.
Axa enhances CI plan

4 Dec 2009

Axa has enhanced its critical illness plan by reducing premiums and improving definitions.
Howard moves to Barclays

3 Dec 2009

Former Prudential business director of investment platforms Carl Howard has joined Barclays UK Retail Banking as head of direct investments.
IFAs using risk profiling tools set to increase, says Skandia

3 Dec 2009

Research shows 51 per cent of IFAs expect to do more business using risk profiling and asset allocation tools next year.
40% of consumers unaware of protection needs, says Swiss Re

3 Dec 2009

The latest Swiss Re Insurance report reveals over 40 per cent of consumers believe they do not need life or income protection insurance.
Hoban sees drawbacks in product regulation

3 December 2009
Novia clashes with Skandia on platform transparency

3 December 2009

Novia has hit out at Skandia for failing to mention the retail distribution review drive to transparency over charging in its new platform due-diligence guide.
Protection push fails over aggregator fears

3 December 2009

The Consumer Protection Insurance Engagement Campaign has failed to raise the funding to take its plans forward after providers feared online aggregator sites would attract most new business as a result of a campaign.
Tenet set for three-way rebrand

3 December 2009

Tenet Group is to rebrand its operations early next year.
Transact goes live with QSP

1 Dec 2009

Transact has now gone live with its qualifying savings plan following HM Revenue & Customs approval.
Ex-L&G account director returns from Pru Protect

1 Dec 2009

Former L&G national account director returns to the provider from Pru Protect.
Capita adds business/PMI protection facility to Webline

1 Dec 2009

Capita Financial Software has added a new business term protection and private medical insurance feature to its quote system.
Redundant Brits will struggle to survive, warns Bright Grey

1 Dec 2009

Research by Bright Grey says Brits are grossly overestimating how long they could survive if they lost their income stream.
Aviva appoints new managing director of health

30 Nov 2009

Aviva has appointed Phil Willcock as managing director of its UK Health business.
Fortis signs distribution deal with Sesame

30 Nov 2009

Fortis Life UK is teaming up with Sesame to give advisers access to its protection product range.
ABI to rebrand and standardise TPD

30 Nov 2009

The ABI is to rebrand and standardise the total permanent disability definition.
Nucleus reaches £1bn in AUM

27 Nov 2009

Nucleus has reached £1bn in assets under administration on its platform.
Tories wary of product regulation

27 Nov 2009

Shadow finance minister Mark Hoban says a move towards product regulation could harm competition and innovation.
Aviva promotes Strauss to UK life chief executive

27 Nov 2009

Aviva UK Life has promoted chief operating officer Toby Strauss to chief executive.
Scot Prov enhances Life Matrix

27 Nov 2009

Enhancements include marketing tips, statistics and non- branded letter templates on CI.
Tenet Group to undergo rebrand

26 Nov 2009

Tenet Group has revealed it is to rebrand its operations early next year.
Banks win landmark court battle

25 Nov 2009

The Supreme Court has today ruled in favour of high street banks in the bank charges test case.
Perspective acquires tenth IFA firm

25 Nov 2009

Perspective Financial Group has acquired Professional Investment Management Services, its tenth acquisition to date.
Steve Bee to leave Scot Life to join Paul Hogarth venture

25 Nov 2009

Pension guru will leave the provider in January to launch an adviser-focused platform.
Axa is looking for a new name for pensions

26 November 2009

Axa has teamed up with Collins English Dictionaries to launch a campaign to rename pensions.
Buckles aiming to buy three IFA firms

26 November 2009

Buckles is planning to buy three IFA firms in the first quarter of next year.
Ferguson to head protection at Friends

26 November 2009

Former Legal & General marketing and channel development director Alan Ferguson is joining Friends Provident as head of protection.
FSA tells firms to cut out long-stop clauses

26 November 2009

The FSA has issued a warning to small IFA firms that insert a long-stop clause into their terms of business.
iShares urged to align TER for ETFs with client cost

26 November 2009

Evercore Pan Asset is lobbying iShares to align the total expense ratio for exchange traded funds more closely with the true net cost for clients.
Jailed broker is banned by FSA

26 November 2009

The FSA has banned broker Rashid Farid from carrying out regulated activity after he was jailed earlier this year for 11 years.
Skandia enhance service for high-value protection

26 November 2009

Skandia is offering a new service for advisers writing high- value protection cases.
Skandia guide to compare platforms

26 November 2009

Skandia has published a new guide to help advisers in their due diligence process when comparing platforms.
570 jobs to go at Lloyds

24 Nov 2009

Lloyds is cutting 570 staff following termination of Equitable Life contract.
Pru Protect relaunches adviser website

24 Nov 2009

Pru Protect has relaunched its website in a bid to make it easier for advisers looking for product information.
Mortgage lending remains unchanged, says BBA

24 Nov 2009

Figures from the British Bankers’ Association show total mortgage lending remained at £3.1bn last month.
Lloyds announces £13.5bn rights issue

24 Nov 2009

Lloyds Banking Group is selling 36.5 billion new shares in a bid to raise £13.5bn in new capital.
FSA bans jailed broker

20 Nov 2009

The regulator has banned broker Rashid Farid from carrying out any regulated activity.
Tesco Bank selects Fiserv platform

20 Nov 2009

Tesco Bank has selected Fiserv and its Signature platform to provide its core banking solution.
FSA says long-stop clauses are not allowed

20 Nov 2009

The FSA says it will take action on small IFA firms inserting a long-stop clause into their terms of business.
Gartmore announces flotation plans

20 Nov 2009

Gartmore has announced it is to float on the London Stock Exchange.
Buckles chief executive Nigel Speirs joins Sanlam

19 Nov 2009

Speirs joins the South African insurer on a part-time basis.
Ascentric appoints new BDM

19 Nov 2009

Ascentric has appointed former The Hartford sales operations director Alan Ferguson as a business development manager.
MPC members split over £25bn QE injection

19 Nov 2009

Members of the MPC shared separate concerns over the Bank’s decision to pump an additional £25bn into QE.
JP Morgan to buy Cazenove

19 Nov 2009

JP Morgan is expected to unveil its plan to acquire investment firm Cazenove.
Advisers urged to show protection case videos

19 November 2009

Protection advisers should consider offering case study videos of clients on their website, according to Scottish Provident.
Big step forward but some still lag

19 November 2009

Technology and Technical founder and director Kim North has branded the number of IFAs without a website “disgraceful”.
Lookalike sites failing advisers

19 November 2009

Yellowtail Financial Planning managing director Dennis Hall says IFAs are being poorly served by website builders.
Walne explores an alternative world

19 November 2009

Former Money Marketing reporter Toby Walne has published a book about alternative investments.
Bupa International appoints new managing director

18 Nov 2009

Bupa UK care homes director Alistair How has been appointed managing director.
Barratt expects to reduce debt to £700m by end of year

18 Nov 2009

Barratt Developments expects to cut its debt by £722m from £1.4bn to £700m by the end of the year.
Govt to halve budget deficit

18 Nov 2009

Government plans to halve its £175bn budget deficit by 2014, and balance the books by 2018.
Comparison sites failing consumers, says Which?

18 Nov 2009

Research from Which? shows comparison sites are not providing their users with a good enough service for financial products.
ABI/AMPS launch Sipp guidance

18 Nov 2009

The two bodies have launched a new good practice guide for Sipp providers.
Pension reform great opportunity for IFAs, says Steve Bee

17 Nov 2009

Pension reforms expected in 2012 will present a great fee-charging opportunity for advisers.
Neptune appoints former JP Morgan Cazenove CEO to board

17 Nov 2009

Robert Pickering joins the fund group as a non-executive director.
HMRC warns offshore crackdown will "end up in tears"

17 Nov 2009

HMRC’s Dave Hartnett warns he will get tough on those who fail to meet the disclosure deadline.
End to stamp duty holiday will damage recovery, says RICS

17 Nov 2009

Warning that ending the stamp duty holiday will damage housing recovery.
L&G enhances mortgage protection plan

17 Nov 2009

The provider is now offering four different interest rates to match clients’ requirements, budget and appetite for risk.
Aviva enhances IP plan and increases commission for IFAs

17 Nov 2009

Enhancements include temporary accident cover and an increase to commission from 130 per cent to 150 per cent.
Lib Dems call for 10% levy on bank profits

17 Nov 2009

Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable has proposed creating a new levy on bank profits at a rate of 10 per cent.
Nucleus finance director quits

16 Nov 2009

Nucleus finance director Neil Howitt is leaving the platform.
Swiss Re UK managing director quits

16 Nov 2009

Swiss Re managing director of life and health UK Craig Thornton is leaving the reinsurer.
Confidence in the UK slips, says Lloyds TSB

16 Nov 2009

Research from Lloyds TSB shows confidence amongst British businesses in October slipped for a second month in a row.
FSA given more power to tackle bonuses

16 Nov 2009

New measures are expected to be outlined in the Queen’s Speech later this week.
ABI scraps plans to remove TPD

16 Nov 2009

The Association of British Insurers has scrapped its plans to remove total permanent disability from critical illness plans.
Nationals accused of RDR scare tactics

13 Nov 2009

David Harrison warns networks and nationals are using the RDR as a scare tactic to get advisers to join.
Fidelity Intl calls for full platform transparency

13 Nov 2009

Peter Hicks says all commercial considerations involved in guided architecture or packaged product lists need to be disclosed.
Intelliflo working on re-reg solution

13 Nov 2009

Software provider working with four platforms on seven different areas.
Cofunds records most sales in platform market

12 Nov 2009

In its fund sales report for Q3, Cofunds gross sales topped £2.2bn.
L&G protection discount deal

12 Nov 2009

Legal & General has introduced a discount facility for policyholders with more than one protection product.
Standard considers unbundling FundZone

12 Nov 2009

Standard Life looks at unbundling its charging structure as part of a review of its FundZone platform.
Capita adds menu-based protection to Synaptic

11 Nov 2009

The new area will offer 12 plans from nine providers.
Premier Partnerships teams up with 1st - The Exchange

11 Nov 2009

1st - The Exchange is to integrate its Exweb portal service with Premier’s internal CRM system.
Unemployment rate stays at 7.8%

11 Nov 2009

The unemployment rate in the UK has remained steady during October.
Pru Protect launches online-only product

11 Nov 2009

The new Essentials Plan includes life cover only and life with serious illness cover.
Hornbuckle Mitchell sells IFA arm to RSM

12 November 2009

RSM Bentley Jennison Financial Management has bought the IFA arm of Sipp provider Hornbuckle Mitchell, its third acquisition this year.RSM has acquired the IFA division for an undisclosed sum.
Pru Protect in online protection deal

12 November 2009

Pru Protect is offering an online-only protection product for advisers.
Cofunds to power Towergate Financial retail platform

10 Nov 2009

Towergate Financial has selected Cofunds to power its Choice platform.
Paymentshield cuts staff by 20 per cent

10 Nov 2009

Paymentshield has issued redundancy notices to over 60 members of staff.
Cofunds appoints ex-Assureweb director as head of marketing operations

10 Nov 2009

Stephen Wynne-Jones joins the platform from Assureweb, where he was director of product marketing.
Do professional standards for protection need to improve?

10 Nov 2009

Although protection is likely to escape an RDR commission ban, providers say greater professionalism is needed.
Aegon pilots tele-claims service

10 Nov 2009

Aegon is running a tele-claims pilot in a bid to reduce the time it takes for claims to be paid.
Calls for platforms to be subject to tighter regulation

10 Nov 2009

Aegon wants level playing field between platforms and product providers.
Thorman says Fundsdirect could be sold

10 Nov 2009

IFDL is currently reviewing the strategy of its B2C platform Fundsdirect.
Progress relaunches adviser website

10 Nov 2009

The online protection provider has introduced new features and streamlined the navigation.
Royal London says advisers are safe to adopt one platform

9 Nov 2009

The parent company of Ascentric says advisers can adopt one single platform.
Munich Re records £1.6bn profit

6 Nov 2009

The German reinsurer has recorded a £1.6bn profit from January to September.
Ascentric appoints new BDM

6 Nov 2009

Debbie Steer joins from 1st – The Exchange, where she was ebusiness product manager.
Pru launches asset management business in Asia

6 Nov 2009

The new business will comply with Islamic law and target the Shariah institutional asset management market.
Property demand out-stripping supply, says NAEA

6 Nov 2009

Estate agent research suggests there are five house hunters to every available property.
RBS records £2.1bn loss

6 Nov 2009

The bailed-out bank has recorded a pre-tax loss of £2.1bn during the third quarter this year.
Cofunds appoints head of regional account managers

5 Nov 2009

Paul Rose joins the platform from Zurich.
Friends launching employee financial education service

5 Nov 2009

The service offers employees advice on a range of topics, including retirement planning and money management
Resolution/Friends deal officially completed

5 Nov 2009

The deal for Resolution to acquire Friends Provident for £312m plus additional shares has been completed.
RSM Bentley Jennison acquires Hornbuckles' IFA arm

5 Nov 2009

RSM has acquired the IFA division for an undisclosed sum.
Client management systems pose threat to platforms, says McKenna

5 Nov 2009

Finance and Technology Research Centre director Ian McKenna says client management systems could start to cannibalise the platform industry.
Axa trial shows Britain is heading for pension stone age

5 November 2009

As part of Axa’s national campaign to promote saving, 14 people are to see if they can live on the state pension for a week.
Consumer protection campaign cash decision deadline extended

5 November 2009

The deadline for firms to decide on funding the £5m Consumer Protection and Insurance Engagement Campaign has been extended.
Government wants views on default retirement age

5 November 2009

The Government is calling for businesses and individuals to submit evidence on the default retirement age to feed into the review taking place next year.
Protection to escape commission ban

5 November 2009

Advisers likely to continue to receive commission on protection policies post-RDR.
L&G enhances group CI plan

4 Nov 2009

The provider has added five new conditions and increased the maximum free limit.
Consumer confidence remains unchanged, says Nationwide

4 Nov 2009

The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index shows confidence levels stayed the same in October.
House prices rise for fourth consecutive month, says Halifax

4 Nov 2009

House prices increased by 1.2 per cent last month.
Govt and RBS in dispute over control of APS

4 Nov 2009

The Government and RBS both want power over any decisions made under the asset protection scheme.
21% expect standard of living to decline by 2029, says Scot Prov

4 Nov 2009

New figures show 7 per cent more people expect their standard of living to decline compared to last year.
Unum rolls out underwriting service for IFAs

3 Nov 2009

The income protection provider will be rolling out the service through 1st - The Exchange and Webline.
Govt confirms splitting up of Lloyds and RBS

3 Nov 2009

Broken up parts will represent 10 per cent of the retail market.
Macquarie enhances client reporting functionality

2 Nov 2009

Advisers can now report on historical transactions for assets that have been transferred to the platform.
Chartwell launches direct offering

2 Nov 2009

The D2C proposition will target over 2,000 clients.
Mortgage Brain to launch B2C sourcing tool

2 Nov 2009

The business to consumer sourcing system will launch next year.
RDR has forced platforms to revisit proposition, says Transact

2 Nov 2009

Transact says the RDR has forced platform providers to re-examine the way in which they operate.
Lending Standards Board launches lending code

2 Nov 2009

The new code outlines the relationship between lenders and borrowers.
Axa launches pension awareness campaign

2 Nov 2009

England rugby player Kyran Bracken and 13 others have agreed to live on a state pension for one week.
Chancellor Alistair Darling confirms splitting of state-owned banks

2 Nov 2009

Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced steps to boost competition in the banking sector.
1st - The Exchange teams up with Novia

30 Oct 2009

Adviser Office users will now have access to online valuations and commission data on the Novia wrap.
Sesame Bankhall Group announces raft of senior appointments

30 Oct 2009

David Golder will be managing director of Bankhall and John Malone will be chairman of PMS.
Market divide in platform space is making it easier for IFAs, says Nucleus CEO

30 Oct 2009

Chief executive David Ferguson says the current environment is helping advisers pick the most suitable wrap solution for their clients.
Ex-Burns Anderson IFA remanded in custody in £8m fraud trial

30 Oct 2009

Grahame Whitehead charged with 49 offences of obtaining money transfers by deception.
Fidelity FundsNetwork launches ongoing fee service

29 Oct 2009

The service supports advisers moving from commission to a fee-based model.
Camilleri & Associates launches wealth management arm

29 Oct 2009

The new division will be headed up by Richard Simmonds.
IIB president calls for FSA to put brakes on RDR

29 Oct 2009

Institute of Insurance Brokers president John Greenway says FSA should put the brakes on the RDR due to EU uncertainty.
BBA and Lord Lipsey clash over 'restricted advice' label

29 Oct 2009

BBA says RDR’s ‘restricted’ tag has negative connotations.
Aifa fears adviser charging will isolate Britain from EU partners

29 Oct 2009

Director Robert Sinclair fears adviser charging could leave Britain standing alone.
Standard Life records £3bn assets on platform

29 Oct 2009

Assets under administration on its platform increased by 76 per cent.
Fine the bank chiefs for PPI misselling, says panel

29 October 2009

Bank chiefs should be hit with personal fines if their firms are found to have missold Payment Protection Insurance, according to the Financial Services Consumer Panel.
Funds Direct is consolidator's choice

29 October 2009

Simon Chamberlain’s IFA consolidator Succession Advisory Services has picked Ascen- tric’s white-label service Investment Funds Direct Limited as its platform.
IP taskforce roadshows to boost IFA confidence

29 October 2009
Osborne advice team to shake up regulation

29 October 2009
Research looks to find new channels for life companies

29 October 2009

The Life Insurance Market Research Association is conducting research into consumer buying habits to help life offices find new distribution channels.
Small Sipp providers may face tech problems

29 October 2009

Small Sipp providers will struggle to cope with business volumes unless they invest in technology, Finance and Technology Research Centre director Ian McKenna has warned.
Thinktank makes call for compulsory protection

29 October 2009

Thinktank Reform is calling on the Conservatives to ditch welfare benefits for the middle classes and instead enrol people of working age into flexible personal protection accounts alongside personal accounts.
Platforum's Mackay supports single wrap solution

28 Oct 2009

Managing director Holly Mackay says IFAs can use one platform going forward.
Lifesearch and Sesame scoop IFA award

28 Oct 2009

Sesame executive chairman Ivan Martin and Lifesearch managing director Tom Baigrie were awarded for their work in the IFA sector.
ABI kicks-off IP review

27 Oct 2009

The ABI has started gathering data for its Income Protection Statement of Best Practice.
Perfect policy conditions for CI?

27 Oct 2009

Should the focus be on product quality rather than number of illnesses?
Ascentric exceeds £1bn assets on platform

27 Oct 2009

Ascentric has exceeded £1bn funds under administration on its platform.
Skandia pays 92% of CI claims

27 Oct 2009

Skandia paid 92 per cent of all critical illness claims between January and July.
Reform proposals could kick-start corporate wrap market, says Bravura

26 Oct 2009

The Australian technology firm says proposals made by think-tank Reform could accelerate the corporate wrap space.
L&G underwriting helpline takes 500,000 calls

26 Oct 2009

The helpline has taken 500,000 calls since launching in 1999.
Honister forms adviser consultation board

23 Oct 2009

The nine-strong team will work closely with Honister’s board of directors.
Cofunds teams up with Technical Connection for pension consolidation seminars

23 Oct 2009

The eight seminars will cover pension transfers, suitability issues and regulatory issues.
Lifesearch's Morris calls for finance lessons in schools

23 Oct 2009

Lifesearch senior policy adviser Matt Morris has launched a Downing Street petition for personal finance lessons to be introduced into the national curriculum.
HML appoints head of finance

22 Oct 2009

Martin Brook joins from Aviva.
Distribution Technology voted fastest growing tech company by Deloitte

22 Oct 2009

Distribution Technology scoops award for fastest growing technology firm in 2009.
Private healthcare patients unfairly treated, says Which?

22 Oct 2009

NHS patients who complain are better treated than private patients says Which? research.
Coxell looking at buying Capita arms

22 Oct 2009

Former Capita MD considering bid for financial software arm.
Appeal rejects PPI ban

22 october 2009

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has overturned the Competition Commission’s proposal to ban point-of-sale payment protection insurance.
Ascentric sales head Sandiford quits platform

22 october 2009

Ascentric head of sales Shaun Sandiford has left the platform to pursue other interests.
Cofunds says life companies are scared of losing assets

22 october 2009

Cofunds claims life companies, want to get into the platform sector is because they are frightened of losing assets.
LV= and Royal Liver merger talks to create £10bn mutual

22 october 2009

LV= and Royal Liver are in talks over a possible merger, according to press reports.
Protection push could be funded by product levy

22 october 2009

Scor Global Life UK head of business development Roy Chappell suggests the Consumer Protection and Insurance Engagement Campaign could be funded by a levy imposed on all protection products.
Regulator warns IFAs of consolidation conflicts

22 october 2009

The FSA has written to small IFA firms warning that if they are joining an IFA consolidation vehicle to leave the market they must ensure that the new solution is suitable for all clients and beware of conflicts of interest.
Standard's Jolly joining the ABI

22 october 2009

The Association of British Insurers has appointed Peter Jolly as assistant director for consumers and distribution reform.
Honister Capital appoints compliance head

21 Oct 2009

Phil Bond joins from Swaines Limited.
IFA firm PW White & Partners picks Novia wrap

21 Oct 2009

The Buckinghamshire-based firm currently has £100m funds under management.
Gartmore appoints head of Asian equities

21 Oct 2009

Jan de Bruijn joins from Threadneedle Asset Management where he was an Asia-Pacific equity fund manager.
George Osborne announces advisory team to shake-up FSA

21 Oct 2009

The team is made up of banking, regulatory and consumer experts.
Woolwich cuts fixed-rate mortgage products

21 Oct 2009

Woolwich announces its fourth mortage rate cut.
ABI appoints Standard Life's Peter Jolly

21 Oct 2009

Jolly joins as assistant director for consumers and distribution reform.
Standard Life calls for an end to PMI price war

20 Oct 2009

Head of healthcare Ronjit Bose says intense competition on price is having adverse effects on the PMI market.
IFA consolidators say they will be unaffected by FSA warning

20 Oct 2009

Sucession Advisory Services and Financial Inspirations say FSA guidance will not impact on them.
Towergate Financial launches employee benefits business

20 Oct 2009

Towergate Financial has launched a new employee benefits and private client business.
FSA sends out warning on IFA consolidation vehicles

20 Oct 2009

Regulator says firms must manage potential conflicts of interest and ensure all clients are treated fairly.
Aviva enhances adviser website

19 Oct 2009

IFAs can now view new and exisiting client information in one place.
Fortis teams up with PosSol and DLP

19 Oct 2009

Fortis Life UK has signed a new partnership deal with Direct Life & Pensions and Positive Solutions.
Standard Life launches trading facility for international bond

16 Oct 2009

Online facility is now available via Standard’s Adviserzone site.
Shaun Sandiford quits Ascentric

16 Oct 2009

Sandiford leaves the wrap provider after only a year at the firm.
Competition Appeal Tribunal overturns CC's point of sale PPI ban

16 Oct 2009

Judge says CC’s methodology was defective.
IFAs to increase platform usage, says Skandia

15 Oct 2009

Nearly two thirds of IFAs expect to do more business on platforms over the next 12 months, Skandia research reveals.
Friends shareholders to decide on Resolution share offer

15 Oct 2009

Friends Provident shareholders are yet to decide whether to accept the cash offer for their first 2,500 shares or to elect to receive Resolution shares instead.
Axa PPP healthcare introduces new helpline

15 Oct 2009

Axa PPP healthcare has introduced a helpline for its UK medical insurance customers who have been diagnosed with cancer.
ABI back to drawing board on TPD plans

15 October 2009

The Association of British Insurers is likely to hold another consultation on its proposals to scrap total permanent disability from critical-illness policies after negative feedback.
Dalton-Brown quits FundsNetwork

15 October 2009

Fidelity FundsNetwork head David Dalton-Brown is leaving the firm after four years.
Ex-Skandia chief joins Cofunds

15 October 2009

Former Skandia UK business unit head of finance Mark Williams is joining Cofunds as its new finance director.
Intrinsic recruitment methods under fire

15 October 2009

Honister Capital has hit out at Intrinsic for writing to its advisers soliciting a meeting with its recruitment team while IFAs were in Brighton attending Honister’s annual conference.
Jones quits Friends Prov for LV= protection role

15 October 2009

Friends Provident head of protection Mark Jones has resigned to join LV=.
Mann urges rethink on phasing in RDR

15 October 2009

Skandia chief development officer Peter Mann is calling for the RDR to be phased in between 2012 and 2014.
PosSol to ringfence payments in fraud probe

15 October 2009

Positive Solutions is to ringfence partners’ unclaimed fees and commission prior to 2008 following a recent investigation into an alleged fraud by an ex-PosSol adviser.
TMP collapse fires up will for Honister to succeed

15 October 2009
Trust your policy

13 Oct 2009

The Association of British Insurers is calling for the HMRC to revisit its rules around the way it governs a person’s estate following their death in order for insurance providers to issue a part-payment on any life insurance claim.
PosSol to ringfence payments in fraud probe

13 Oct 2009

Positive Solutions is to ringfence partners’ unclaimed fees and commission prior to 2008 following a recent investigation into an alleged fraud by an ex-PosSol adviser.
Cirencester Friendly chief executive elected president of AFS

13 Oct 2009

Cirencester Friendly chief executive Paul Hudson has been elected president of the Association of Friendly Societies.
Bupa reduces IP rates

13 Oct 2009

Bupa Individual Protection is reducing the guaranteed rates on its income protection product by more than 10 per cent.
ABI calls for HMRC to revisit estate governing rules

13 Oct 2009

The Association of British Insurers is calling for the HMRC to revisit its rules around the way it governs a person’s estate following their death in order for insurance providers to issue a part-payment on any life insurance claim.
Praemium completes capital raising and announces rights issue plans

12 Oct 2009

Praemium has completed a capital raising of £2.1m through the private placement of 24.5 million shares.
Ex-Skandia finance head to join Cofunds

12 Oct 2009

Former Skandia UK business unit head of finance Mark Williams is joining Cofunds as its new finance director.
Friends Prov head of protection joins LV=

9 Oct 2009

Friends Provident head of protection Mark Jones has resigned to join LV=, Money Marketing can reveal.
Aviva launches new CI product

9 Oct 2009

Aviva is attempting to put an end to the critical illness conditions race with the launch of its principles based product this week.

Money MarketingTracey Scott Editorial

Money Marketing
Tracey Scott Editorial