adviser firms

The Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) will today meet with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as it continues to push the regulator over an adviser long-stop.

Around three-quarters of advisers have received false or manufactured accusations from Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) complainants, an increase in 10% over three years.

All regulated financial advisers could be included on a new directory being set up by the Money Advice Service (MAS) after the industry and consumers gave the green light to the project.

Membership of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) has reached more than 35,000, with more than 1,000 people joining in the past year.

Product provider Aegon has distanced itself from a view attributed to its head of marketing that advisers have been "disintermediated" and that its future lies in direct relationships with consumers.

Half of over-45s have said that referral to an independent financial adviser to provide advice on long-term care (LTC) funding would be ‘valuable', a report has said.

The Association of Professional Financial Advisers has announced that Alan Lakey has stepped down from his role as APFA Council member to pursue 'other opportunities.'

Advisers' hopes for the re-introduction of a long-stop on client complaints have suffered a blow after Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief Martin Wheatley suggested the regulator's investigation into the matter may have hit a roadblock.

Stonebridge Group, the mortgage and insurance network, has announced it is now offering directly authorised firms access to its limited life and protection panel.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has defended the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) from allegations of inconsistent case verdicts.