Intelligent Money is considering exiting the Sipp market to become an independent provider of standard personal pension plans. The company says it is looking at re-branding its Sipps as flexible personal pensions to better reflect its position in the market. The firm is in discussions with advisers about the potential change and says the shift […]
Phoenix needs to demonstrate how it will shed its bad reputation from a technology perspective
The way investor sentiment and habits have changed in recent years, particularly in the retirement space, means the traditional 60/40 multi-asset split is “probably dead”, Old Mutual Wealth head of investments Anthony Gillham says. He says if you had the traditional equity/fixed income split, investors would have seen a fall in the beginning of this […]
The Office of Tax Simplification wants to avoid making piecemeal changes, which risk adding further layers of complexity
National IFA LEBC is calling for technology to help older vulnerable clients handle their finances if their partner becomes critically ill or passes away. LEBC says there is a need to promote financial capability in older couples and it has been shortlisted for an award where it could win the backing of a tech provider […]
Launched just last month, new protection player Guardian has yet to prove itself. But from what we can tell so far, we like this new approach. Some small but important details have been radically improved and, although the definitions still run to many pages, there is an overall theme of simplicity, with clients front of […]
National IFA CWB Group has launched a dedicated mortgage advice company. ReSource Mortgages will be headed up by managing director Alan Holmes, who has previously worked at Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays. The IFA, which has offices in Market Harborough, London, Bromsgrove and Glasgow, will base the mortgage advice firm in Bristol. Holmes will run a […]
Seven Investment Management saw its assets under management rise 14 per cent to £12.4bn in 2017. The firm says profits were £19.4m, up 4 per cent on the previous year. 7IM platform assets under management grew 19 per cent during 2017 to £7.7bn 7IM chief executive Tom Sheridan says 2017 was a “solid” year for […]
NS&I has reaffirmed its commitment to working closer with financial advisers as it lines up a series of service improvements for later this year. In its annual report, released this morning, the government-backed savings bank confirmed that its plans earlier this year to give financial advisers telephone access to clients’ NS&I holdings had gone to […]
As platforms continue to struggle with upgrading their systems, analysts are urging AJ Bell to keep its focus on technology ahead of its planned listing. AJ Bell is set to launch an initial public offering of shares on the main market of the London Stock Exchange either later this year or early next. The platform […]
More than 200 jobs could go at Axa Investment Managers as part of a restructure that could save the firm €100m (£87.6m). The company says in a statement it plans to bring in a new operating model that could see up to 40 jobs cut in the UK and 160 in France. Axa IM chief […]
Managing income in retirement has become a conundrum for our times, with advisers, clients and the pension industry all offering different ideas on the best way to solve the same problem. It isn’t unreasonable for retirees to want the best of all worlds; flexibility, access and control over their retirement savings along with the reassurance […]
Two weeks after ex-FCA boss Hector Sants was revealed as the chairman of the government’s single financial guidance body, Money Marketing has learned the new service will not be operational until winter. The timing for the launch of the new guidance body has been uncertain ever since the idea was first conceived. A preliminary consultation […]
The past decade has seen environmental and social governance investing develop from a niche corner of the market to a popular asset class. But while there is an increased awareness among individuals as to the impact of their actions on the environment, there is much more to ESG investing than being a good citizen. Asset […]
Aegon has issued an apology to advisers in response to problems with the Cofunds replatforming. The firm is also increasing headcount in its operations team by redeploying 200 employees to help deal with any further issues. Advisers using the Aegon platform have reported numerous problems with it since it was integrated with the Cofunds business […]
Prudential has lost an appeal after the Financial Ombudsman Service ruled that sending out forms by post caused a client delays in taking three of his pensions. In November 2016 the client, referred to in the FOS decision as Mr B, said he wanted to take all three of his pensions with Prudential at the […]
Pension scheme members will be given powers under new government rules to hold their schemes to account over how social and environmental factors impact their investments. Trustees will be required to produce a policy that includes an assessment of the sustainability of their investment decisions. This policy will be available to members so they can […]
The New Model Business Academy is running a free financial education programme for teenagers that will be delivered by advisers. NMBA, part of the SimplyBiz Group, is partnering with M&G Investments, Zurich, Vanguard and BMO Global Asset Management to sponsor the programme. The programme will be delivered by financial advisers who have contacts at schools, […]
Advisers are publishing their fees on review website VouchedFor in an effort to be more transparent. Research by VouchedFor for the Sunday Times shows 423 advisers, representing 263 firms, have published their charges on the site. VouchedFor, the review site for financial and mortgage advisers, solicitors and acountants, does not publish adviser charges on their […]
The parent of Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank has agreed to buy Virgin Money for £1.7bn. The businesses say the deal will create the UK’s first “true national banking competitor to the status quo”. The new group will serve around six million customers. A notice to investors from CYBG says: “The combined group will have […]
The Pensions Ombudsman has ruled AJ Bell must compensate a client for investment losses attributable to a botched transfer to James Hay Partnership. Mr R’s complaint against AJ Bell is it was partly responsible for the delay in the transfer of funds that shut him out of the market and lost him thousands of pounds. […]
I have been giving a lot of thought to assumptions. It is generally accepted they should be reasoned, reasonable and adequate, and it is preferable the client approves as well. But being overly accurate or detailed with assumptions gives a perception that a plan is more determinate than reality. If reality is more positive than […]
We must support each other more in our different roles. After all, we both exist for the same reason Why do financial journalists exist? I am sure that it is a question many IFAs ask, especially when they read things they think are wrong, dangerous or fail to end with “find a good, qualified financial […]
Sometimes in business you can have an exceptional year and, provided you do not take it for granted, all is good. Allowing expenses to match an unsustainable increase in revenue is asking for trouble. As the claims deadline for PPI draws closer, it is clear the ambulance chasers will be looking elsewhere to continue the […]
A lot of recent work in the pensions world has been aimed at helping individuals engage with retirement saving: to better understand what they have already, how much they might need and what they will have to save to reach their target levels. The pensions dashboard project and the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s work […]
Is industry right to think dashboard will boost engagement when inertia has proved such a dominant behaviour? The pensions dashboard concept has captured the imagination of the government and industry, and the attraction is obvious. Digitalise all existing records so individuals can see their aggregated pension entitlements in once place at the click of a […]
Hands up who likes looking stupid? No, me neither, though the sub-textual retort of my wife’s eyebrow, raised in my direction (or rather the direction of the Cuban heels on my new boots) screams “you could have fooled me”. She may have a point, but there is a difference in questionable sartorial choices and foolishness […]
An awful lot of time is being dedicated to asking platforms to justify their existence, particularly in light of various botched re-platforming projects. But the point gets convoluted. Alongside those who question why certain platforms exist in the first place, there is debate around who they serve and how they should be paid for more […]
Understanding a pension can be difficult. For those who need help, a conversation with a real person makes a huge difference. We are working hard to make sure everyone can have that conversation with an expert, whether they need guidance or advice. The Single Financial Guidance Body, set to launch in the winter, will offer […]
Actively managed funds are the best way to obtain the holy grail that is dividend growth
After 18 months in the pipeline, we finally got a look under the bonnet of Vitality’s new investment proposition this morning. In both accumulation and decumulation, the insurer is attempting to revolutionise the investment space by offering either bonuses or fee reductions for investing early, investing over a long period and, most importantly, for keeping […]
The six million people in defined benefit pension schemes who could be enticed by the high transfer values on offer are causing much consternation among parliamentarians, the regulator and financial advisers. The FCA has found a significant proportion of transfer advice to be unsuitable or questionable. Its latest consultation suggests big changes to the way […]
While advice firms can outsource activities, they cannot outsource their responsibilities Advice firms are busier than ever, leading an increasing amount to turn to third parties to undertake activities that would have once been dealt with in-house. Outsourcing can provide a solution for those under pressure to deliver on long-term objectives, while juggling the day […]
Protection Review chief executive Kevin Carr looks at recent market events Power to the people Now in its third year, the Protection Distributors Group has recently launched its “Claims Charter”, which aims to improve the basic levels of best practice undertaken by insurers when dealing with claims. Over the last two years, the group has […]
Will a fund manager parent be good for Intelliflo?
Three considerations for investors in the region It is no secret that China’s financial markets have gradually been opening up over the past decade. With the inclusion of domestic A-shares in MSCI’s emerging market indices this year, 2018 could potentially be a watershed year for the country’s growing influence on financial markets. For now, this […]
The government’s Office of Tax Simplification has set its sights on pensions, Isas and life assurance bonds
A detailed look at the how the Sipp market is evolving as legal and regulatory pressures mount
Newell Palmer director Peter Bannister on managing investments in-house
Advisers and clients are at risk of being caught out by illogical quirks in this complex product
Starting out on your own is challenging but these tips should help smooth the way
A look under the bonnet of themes within the index
The FCA has its eye on staff performance strategies, so make sure risks are recognised and managed
People still need to wake up to the dangers of relying on the state pension in retirement
The issue of how firms treat vulnerable clients is not a new area of focus for the FCA but the regulatory scrutiny shows no sign of abating, with concerns forming a common thread throughout its 2018/19 Business Plan. Many firms are still struggling to ensure that vulnerable clients are identified and supported throughout the customer […]
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Levels of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity have historically moved with the stock market. Zach Chadwick, an analyst within the J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK equity team, looks at how this cycle has been no exception and discusses some common behavioural biases.
Amit Parmar looks at the recent surge in oil price and its impact on UK equity income investors.
Karen Ward discusses the Bank of England’s (BoE) decision to hold its base rate of interest unchanged at 0.5% at its meeting today.
Watch Andrew Robbens as he talks about how the high street has changed over the decades and gives his views on how adapting and changing will be the key to success for consumer businesses.
Money Marketing Editor, Justin Cash, and Helm Godfrey Chairman, Danby Bloch, sit down to discuss the outcomes of the recent local elections and the potential consequences for the UK economy.
Chris Skinner, portfolio specialist, takes a closer look at UK equity portfolios and finds that many funds have less exposure to UK companies than you may think.
Catch up with last week’s Money Marketing debate on what Labour would mean for financial planners with former pensions minister Steve Webb and three leading advisers.
FSCS levies are one of the biggest bills advisers have to pay. But how are they calculated? Watch our video to find out Advisers slam levy increases as FSCS bills hit desks Solving the FSCS’ long list of problems FSCS chief executive Mark Neale’s blog
FCA chief executive Andrew Bailey has just marked his first year at the top of the regulator. Money Marketing asks: Who is the man running the financial services show? Watch: Where do your FCA fees go?
Title: MM Wired: Beyond the election Date: Thursday 15th June Time: 11am Money Marketing Wired returned in association with The UK Edge on Thursday 15 June with a topical debate on the election results. To see the full on-demand version of this session, please watch the video above. Panelists Stephanie Flanders – Chief Market Strategist (UK […]
Helen O’Hagan, Technical Manager at Prudential, looks at some of the options to help fund the cost of going to university. An exciting time for children but not so much for their parents if they have not made financial provision to plan for this expense. And expensive it is! Not only the major items like […]
Thomas Smith, Co-Head of Emerging Market Equities, Neptune An interview with Reza Moghadam, who spent more than twenty years at the IMF, where he shares his views on Argentina’s negotiations with the IMF… https://www.realworldinvestors.com/Posts/Team-Talk/2407 Investment risksThe value of an investment and any income from it can fall as well as rise as a result of […]
Rob Burnett, Head of European Equities, Neptune Investors are asking themselves if the sovereign debt crisis has returned to Europe. The major question being, is Italy going to leave the euro? How can we assess these probabilities? The latest Eurobarometer data on Italian public opinion is useful, particularly when compared to the UK and […]
Ali Unwin, CTO & Fund Manager, Neptune Neptune’s Ali Unwin reports back from one of Amazon’s 16 UK fulfilment centres: 400,000 square feet of warehouse space, miles of conveyor belts and 1,500 full-time employees to keep it running 24 hours a day. https://www.realworldinvestors.com/Posts/Team-Talk/2403
Royal London Asset Management will be participating in a historic green infrastructure project that will add essential capacity to the capital’s sewers. In this article Gail Counihan, Responsible investment Analyst explains the project and introduces two key participants, Ursula and Millicient. Read the article here Past performance is no guide to the future. The value […]
In the latest comment from our ‘gilt corner’ Craig Inches, Head of Rates and Cash at Royal London Asset Management looks at risk returning to markets, with sovereign risk beginning to rear its head across the globe. He also examines the gilt market closer to home and comments on the issue of one of the […]
New Worldwide Financial Planning managing director on getting his feet under the table and keeping robos in their place
LEBC chief executive says advisers must change the way they let people interact with them It seems logical for businesses to consider widening access to their services if they want to grow. Some might explore a new region to broaden their reach geographically. For others, offering a range of services that cater for different customer […]
Putting the client first is a mantra for many advisers who take pride in providing quality service and value for money. For IFA firm Goldsmith Financial Solutions founder Hannah Goldsmith, this has meant refusing to play ball with investment groups that would charge her clients more in fees than the returns they would receive. “How much does it […]