Adviser / Broking

Adviser numbers are down and firms' profits after tax, despite a temporary recovery last year, are lower than the two previous years, according to research from the Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA).

Defaqto's Protection Service Satisfaction survey has found the timeliness of processing new business is the most important aspect of service for advisers recommending individual protection products.

LV= has become a full member of First Complete's protection panel bringing the number of providers on the panel to nine.

Zurich has launched new adviser website, developed in partnership with advisers.

The SimplyBiz Group has launched a Protection Academy for its members to improve their knowledge and understanding of the protection market.

Chase Templeton has bought Ealing-based SJS Healthcare Associates.in a deal, adding £2m in annual premium income to the intermediary's books.

Nearly three quarters of firms are still failing to show clients the true cost of advice, the regulator has found in what it calls a "wake-up call" for the industry which has already put two firms at risk of enforcement action.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has warned advisers that "ticking all the boxes from a compliance point of view" may not be enough to win in a complaint case.

A mortgage broker has been jailed for six years after fraudulently obtaining almost £3.5m from clients in the North East.

The Protection Review has teamed up with the Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) to provide independent specialist protection training across the industry.