United Kingdom
Best Practice | 27 Mar 18
Downward trend in Ombudsman complaints
Complaints about advice companies made to the UK’s Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) eased across the board in the second half of 2017, while Aviva and Barclays bucked the trend and saw complaints rise, according to updated figures.
Best Practice | 27 Mar 18
‘Disaster’ averted: UK keeps mandatory pension transfer advice
Easing the advice requirements for transfers of guaranteed pensions to overseas schemes “could have been a recipe for disaster”, AJ Bell senior analyst Tom Selby said of the UK Government’s decision not to scrap the requirement to take financial advice.
UK Sipp business drives strong STM results in ‘eventful’ year
The acquisition of UK Sipp provider London & Colonial has “borne fruit during 2017” and played a key part in STM adapting its expat product offering following the unexpected 25% Qrops charge that hit around 80% of the firm’s new business.
FSCS opens door to Beaufort compensation
Clients of the failed discretionary fund management firm Beaufort Securities and its clearing arm, Beaufort Asset Clearing Services, may be now eligible to claim compensation, after the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) declared the two firms in default.
Experts react to DB pension transfer ruling
Pension experts have welcomed the clarity the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has established for defined benefit (DB) pension transfers through its updated rules. But they warn further, lengthy, consultation may not be the best way to address issues of poor practice that have come to prominence in recent months.