2
Sweet segmentation: Are new ways of cutting clients boosting advisers’ profits?
The way advisers are dividing and servicing their client banks is changing, the latest research shows
1
Claire Trott: Why it’s better to be in a final salary scheme than out
People are opting out of final salary schemes over annual allowance and tax fears but the benefits of staying in are obvious
Peter Hamilton: How liable are networks for the acts of an AR?
The purpose of imposing responsibility on the principal is to make sure they are treated as if they had acted in breach of the rules, as well as the AR
Investment trust sales hit record high as private equity surges
Investment trust sales by advisers and wealth managers on adviser platforms hit a record high in the first half of 2017, up 74 per cent on the first half of 2016, the highest figure ever for the first six months of a year. In the first half of 2017 investment trust sales reached £514m, compared […]
2
Just 3 per cent of advisers offer full robo-advice
IFAs point to financial and operational barriers to setting up robo-advice Just 3 per cent of advisers currently offer an automated advice service at their firm, but 14 per cent plan to in the next two years, according to research from JP Morgan Asset Management and Platforum. A survey of 162 advisers, conducted by Platforum […]
Advisers lack clarity on fund groups’ external research
Many financial advisers are unaware of fund managers’ use of external research in making investment decisions, experts claim. Recent news about how asset managers have decided to pay for research under the upcoming Mifid II regulation has brought more clarity around how much people are paying for different parts of the investment chain. Under Mifid […]
Reaction: German election result ‘could play into hands of UK Brexit negotiators’
Political uncertainty following the surge in popularity in the nationalist party in the German election could prove beneficial to the UK as the fourth round of Brexit negotiations begins. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been re-elected for a fourth term following the federal elections on Sunday, but her conservative CDU/CSU parties saw their worst result […]
Ian McKenna at Finovate: Home-grown fintech players making their mark in US
Companies involved in micro giving, data security and screen sharing impressed the crowd at this month’s Finovate show in New York In the first part of my review of the recent Finovate show in New York, I focused on a couple of exceptional US businesses. But I was pleased to see some British businesses give […]
Labour to press Government on Waspi state pension reforms
Labour also outlined its support for Waspi in its manifesto for the June election Labour is to call on the Government to lower the retirement age for women born in the 1950’s, allowing them to retire aged 64 on a reduced state pension, rather than aged 66. According to the Independent, in a speech at […]
1
Active or passive? Art or science?
How do you choose between active and passive? Is it art or is it science? Is it really one or the other? Many people approach this decision thinking the outcome is either one thing or the other. You either expect your manager will outperform or you don’t. You go 100% active. Or 100% passive. But […]
Asset managers brace for fee template as FCA unveils plans
A new FCA committee has set the timeline for its fee template for asset managers as it publishes details of how it will go about its analysis. Money Marketing earlier this week the disclosure working group set up by the FCA following its final report into the asset management industry was about to set out the objectives […]
2
Brexit: Govt tells City it plans to break with EU regulation
The Government has outlined plans for post Brexit financial services regulation in the UK to ultimately diverge from the European Union. Brexit secretary David Davis met with City leaders last week at Chevening, foreign secretary Boris Johnson’s country residence, the Financial Times reports. Davis told a breakout session for financial services that the UK would lose potential competitive gains […]
1
Robo-firm mulls advice expansion
Digital wealth manager Moneyfarm is exploring opportunities to extend its advisory powers in an attempt to boost profitability. Speaking to Money Marketing, Moneyfarm chief investment officer Richard Flax says the firm is discussing ways to deliver more “scalable advice” with a mix of face-to-face advice and technology by getting full advice permissions. Flax says: “We […]
Chase de Vere acquires specialist financial planning firm
Chase de Vere has acquired specialist financial planning firm Medical Money Management. The firm, which advises medical and dental professionals, has eight offices ranging from Exeter to Glasgow. 30 IFAs will join Chase de Vere through the acquisition alongside another 50 staff. Chase de Vere did not disclose the cost of the deal. Medical Money […]
1
Capita prepares for FCA fine over Connaught role
The regulator has said it “is minded to seek a financial penalty” against Capita Financial Management Capita has set aside £37m after the FCA indicated it could fine the company over its connection to the collapsed Connaught Income Series 1 fund. Capita Financial Managers was the operator of the fund until 2009. The fund went […]
4
Woodford: UK consumer debt concerns overblown
Star manager Neil Woodford has dismissed concerns of rising UK consumer debt arguing house prices are rising and the low interest rate environment will be supportive. UK households have amassed £200bn in unsecured debt and consumer credit is rising at a rate of just under 10 per cent a year, while inflation has seen real […]
1
Older borrowers face advice gap, FCA says
The FCA says many older mortgage borrowers struggle to get complete advice and cannot access a wide choice of products. The regulator made the statement in a paper published today. It suggests firms should take older borrowers into account more with their policies and proposition. It adds that mortgage companies should also plan for consumer […]
4
Intrinsic expects losses to continue as adviser headcount drops
Intrinsic Financial Services has reported a total comprehensive loss of £10.4m for the 12 months ended 31 December 2016, as it predicts losses to continue. The loss at the Old Mutual Wealth-owned business is less than the £11.5m reported in 2015. Operating losses decreased from £12.9m to £8.9m. The results statement says: “The decrease in […]
Network takes on more debt to fund growth drive
Sandringham Financial Partners took on £1 million of additional debt in 2016 to fund its growth plans, its accounts show. The size of the company’s liabilities are revealed in its full year results for 2016, which have just been filed with Companies House. In total, the Yorkshire-based network had net liabilities of £5,208,678 – an […]
Active or passive? It’s not a competition
Choosing between active and passive investment strategies is not an either/or decision. Both have their place. The point is to deliver value to investors, says Ankul Daga, senior investment strategist with Vanguard Europe. Debate about the relative merits of active and passive investment strategies is perennial. But it has become considerably more heated in recent […]
1
Aegon plans Cofunds office closure
190 people are currently employed at the Hove office Aegon is planning to move Cofunds’ services that currently run from Hove to its office in Witham. It is expected the Hove office will close by mid-2018. The Hove office runs the investor portfolio service, which lets advisers and customers manage their investments online. There are […]
Lee Robertson: Balancing client needs with company standards
I caught up with some industry friends for a couple of drinks the other week. Nothing new there, those of you who know me might say. Over evening drinks the three of us, who are all engaged, compliant business principals, sat and chatted through the issues we are all currently facing. Recruiting and retaining quality […]
1
Advisers shouldn’t fear the Mifid monster
3 January 2018. Mark the date in your diaries if you haven’t already. It’s the day that the second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive takes effect in UK law. That’s only three months away. But it’s no reason at all to panic, as our cover story this week, which takes stock of how the sector […]
9
Nic Cicutti: Why I’m a value of advice convert
My first instincts about a Royal London-sponsored report were wrong. Now I urge everyone to read it
Lisa Winnard: Mind the age gap at your firm
As our younger generations return to school, college and university, September is a time of the year when some of us older ones also consider going back to college; maybe to study a new course or add new skills to our toolkit; or go even further and completely retrain. With the UK heading for skills […]
4
Tony Byrne: FCA needs to lift DB transfer suspensions
Regulator has created a fiasco which is likely to lead to many complaints against it in years to come
Jason Butler: Play your part in helping clients live a full life
The more clarity people have on what makes them fulfilled, the happier they will be. So what is the advisers’ role?
3
Why clients need to know about adviser charging
While autonomy and freedom of choice are critical to our wellbeing, there is a glitch: namely, our freedom to choose that which is not in the interest of our wellbeing. Hence the value in strong and clear advice. Back in the Garden of Eden, God pointed out the risks involved in investing in apples, given […]
25
Paul Lewis: The end of advice as most know it
In giving the financial services industry a monopoly over the word advice, the Government’s new guidance body spells trouble for consumers
Putting a price on risk
How do you measure a client’s attitude to risk? Adviser technology companies have been coming up with increasingly sophisticated solutions to this problem at breakneck pace over the last few years as both computing and psychological knowledge has evolved. The answer to the question hasn’t changed though: it’s complicated. Because each client is an individual, […]
2
Nick Bamford: Making sure your advice firm lasts
What would happen if you weren’t here next week? It is vital all business owners have a succession plan in place
2
Equitable Life chief: What I’ve learned 10 years after the crisis
The underlying cause of Northern Rock’s collapse, which triggered the financial crisis, was clear: weakness in board governance, product complexity, risky business models, executive behaviour and inadequate regulation. It was uncannily similar to the events leading to our collapse at Equitable Life in 2000. On the tenth anniversary of the financial crisis, we see some very […]
Ian McKenna at Finovate: Lessons from US personal finance leaders
It is unlikely the US leaders will ever make it to the UK, which provides a perfect opportunity for digital advice firms here to lead the domestic competition Finovate is the place to go to see the leading edge developments in financial technology. Although there is an excellent European show in London in February, I […]
Adviser gadget of the week: WiFi Map
Wifi Map is a free app to help users find free wifi anywhere in the world. It shows the locations where free wifi is offered on a map, together with the password for the hotspot. It incorporates a speed test so the user can understand how fast the wifi hotspot connection will be. It can […]
The upcoming tech trends to make advisers’ lives easier
Good technology underpins, rather than undermines, adviser propositions The FCA’s final report on its study of the asset management market, highlighting average margins of 36 per cent and questionable price competition, was the latest in a long line of official initiatives to shine a spotlight on the costs of financial products, services and advice. With […]
3
Regulation overload: Are advisers ready for the Mifid II mountain?
With just over three months left until the implementation of Mifid II, experts are cautiously optimistic that advisers will be ready for the incoming European regulation. However, concerns remain that there is a lack of clarity on several important rules. A survey this month by discretionary fund manager Smith & Williamson found 73 per cent […]
Compliance tip: Managing emerging conduct risks
The advice sector is on the cusp of a major regulatory shift, set to change customer behaviour and market conditions. Firms need to focus on three core areas to ensure they remain competitive and effectively meet regulatory obligations, particularly as new conduct risks emerge. Culture Culture plays a key role in effectively adapting to future […]
Simon Collins: What the Senior Managers Regime will look like for IFAs
There has been much talk about tailoring the regime to fit the diversity of firms who will be impacted. So, what does it look like?
Your guide to the GDPR
Money Marketing has teamed up with Taxbriefs to bring you the definitive guide to the EU’s forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation and how it will affect your firm. Get your free briefing with everything you need to know and stay ahead of the game below. Regulation: Do Mifid II and the GDPR have conflicting aims?
Tony Wickenden: The most tax-efficient investments for children
There are opportunities to take advantage of a child’s personal allowances and capital gains tax annual exemption when investing for them
How to…Manage a small fund
Manager Fraser Mackersie says flexibility and being more nimble than mammoth funds are among the key factors which have enabled the Unicorn UK Growth fund to outperform
Platforum: Comparing fund selection bottlenecks in the UK and Europe
Assets held on UK platforms represent over a quarter of the more than €2trn (£1.8trn) assets on-platform in Europe, according to Platforum data. The UK is the leading open architecture market for funds thanks to predominantly adviser-led distribution. In continental Europe, where distribution is bank-dominated, open architecture also picked up over the last few years. […]
Hugh Young: Is China’s tech boom worth investing in?
Sentiment towards technology firms has not been this strong since the dot.com ere but the risks are significant
Why advisers should be excited about Facebook ads
Facebook ads should be a crucial part of an advice firm’s strategy for increasing website traffic
Compliance tip: How to deal with clients who move abroad
We all have clients we have dealt with for many years; those who trust us and value the advice they receive. But what happens when these clients decide to move abroad and want you to continue advising them on their financial arrangements? This is an area that is not straight forward. There are a number […]
Newsletter
News and expert analysis straight to your inbox
Sign up
The active/passive choice: determine the right blend for your clients
Creating investment portfolios for clients is a key role for advisers. The choice between active and passive investment strategies is at the heart of this role. Ankul Daga, senior investment strategist at Vanguard, explains a framework for blending active and passive that can help you and your clients. Read more about the active/passive framework, as […]
1
FCA chief Bailey: 12 months in power
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?
MM Wired: Beyond the election – On demand
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 […]
Standard Life/Aberdeen merger: What we know so far
MM takes stock of the mega-merger set to shake-up the asset management industry
Best of both worlds: Blending active and passive
Looking to blend active and passive investment strategies? There are four key factors you need to know about, explains Ankul Daga, senior investment strategist with Vanguard Europe. Discussing the merits of active and passive investing with financial advisers, I am often surprised to discover how many are blending active and passive funds in their portfolios. […]
Top 10 considerations for advisers when outsourcing to a DFM
Advisers increasingly use DFMs as their investment partner. Cazenove Capital provides due diligence factors for advisers to consider when partnering with a DFM. Click here
UK housebuilders: A concrete investment?
By Mark Martin, Head of UK Equities, Neptune UK housebuilders have performed strongly in recent times, rising in excess of 400 per cent since the financial crisis. But with house price growth slowing and construction workloads decreasing, do UK housebuilder stocks represent a concrete investment? Read more Important information – For professional investors only. Investment Risks […]
Trevor Greetham – Investment Clock
Trevor Greetham, Head of Multi Asset at Royal London Asset Management, presents his latest video update, sharing his current views and the positioning of our multi-asset funds. Watch the video here Download The value of investments and the income from them is not guaranteed and may go down as well as up and investors may […]
Selecting a wrapper
In the past, some advisers have avoided the use of onshore investment bonds, and some still do. The image of bonds may have been tarnished in the past, however, the days of high allocations and commissions are gone. It is important to put these factors aside and look objectively at the benefits onshore bonds can […]
India: from a macro to a micro story
Kunal Desai, Head of Indian Equities, Neptune After three years of gains, does the Indian market still represent good value? Watch Kunal Desai discuss the impact of Modi and where he is finding the best investment opportunities today. Important Information Investment risksNeptune funds may have a high historic volatility rating and past performance is not a […]
1
Profile: Eastcote’s boss says advisers should ‘stick to their knitting’
Eastcote managing director Trevor Law on launching a new firm, rather than selling to consolidators
Profile: Future Life Wealth Management’s Jillian Thomas on building a brand
Future Life Wealth Management’s founder Jillian Thomas on surviving a tsunami and building a brand
Profile: Paradigm Norton boss shares his 2021 vision
What is the purpose of money? This is a question that highlights the distinction between financial planners and advisers, according to Paradigm Norton chief executive Barry Horner. Horner, whose business was voted Adviser Firm of the Year at the 2017 Money Marketing Awards, says there is no point in growing wealth just for the sake […]
