IFA
Sesame confirms it will drop IFA mandate and go restricted
Network Sesame has confirmed that it is planning to drop its independence mandate for investment and pension advice and move to a ‘whole of market' restricted proposition in 2014.
FCA 'at odds' with IFAs over independence definition
The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) current stance on the definition of independence is at odds with the views of up to half of the IFA community, according to research.
Case study: Protection claims statistics
"I'm an IFA who advises on protection. How can I use published claims statistics with clients? Is there an accepted sales technique for using such statistics? I'm also concerned about comeback of clients who might focus on percentage points and just want...
APFA wants equal weighting given to clearing advisers' names
The Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) has said it fears innocent advisers would be disadvantaged and their names not cleared sufficiently under new proposals by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) about publishing warning notices....
Advisers lack faith in elderly care reforms- Symponia
Advisers are lacking faith in the coalition's ability to bridge the funding gap for the UK's elderly, Symponia has revealed.
The brave new world of online sales
Protection markets are failing to evolve and must seize new opportunities if they are not to become dinosaurs in the the digital age, says Emma Walker.
IPMI: An adviser-driven international evolution
Aetna International sees great opportunities for the UK international PMI market. Paul Robertson talks to Nic Brown.
Post-care cap spells 'ridiculously' quiet quarter for adviser
A long-term care specialist adviser has reported a noticeable dip in enquiries following the government announcement of the care cap plans.
Advisers show signs of interest in restricted models
Advisers are showing increasing interest in restricted advice models, but the majority are still trading with independent models, Aviva has reported.
Planet Insurance - Modern PPI
In January the FSA and OFT issued joint guidance on payment protection products. This is essential reading for IFAs selling protection products - especially those in the mortgage market.
Hard sell: Two in five clients still decline cover after explanation
Two out of five clients will decline taking out life cover even after full explanation of the insurance and its benefits, a chartered financial planner has said.
PruHealth PMI sales through IFAs have trebled
PruHealth PMI sales through non-specialist IFAs have trebled in the last three years.
Specialist law firm launches to handle insurance broker legal issues
A City law firm focused on representing the intermediated insurance market has been launched.
10% are looking to become pure protection specialists - IFA network
The income to be generated as a pure protection specialist post-RDR should not be under-estimated, an IFA network has said.
Interview - Justin Taurog
Justin Taurog, PruProtect's distribution and marketing director, discusses Vitality, customer health and the adviser market with Paul Robertson.
Market views - Lifesearch's broker code of conduct
LifeSearch has recently released a code of conduct it would like all protection sellers to adhere to. Should there be such a code and what does it say about this market that it should originate from an intermediary rather than a provider?
A softly, softly approach
The simple financial products initiative is already proving contentious in the protection market. Carol Sergeant, the leader of the steering group, tells Owain Thomas the industry needs to think differently if it is to succeed.
Whole of Life - Flickering into life
When addressing a client's protection needs, most products deal in the term space. But with people potentially outliving these contracts, Owain Thomas looks to whole of life for rejuvenation.
Interview - Mark Jones
LV= has big plans for 2012. Paul Robertson interviews one of the industry's most prominent Welshmen, Mark Jones.
Market views: Better regulation for smaller brokers?
Given the Financial Ombudsman Service's (FOS) desire to see larger caseload contributors paying a greater share of the costs, do you think this heralds a focus on smaller companies well being from regulators?
Term assurance - In terminal decline?
Want an example of how not to do things? Owain Thomas finds the UK term assurance market's approach is being avoided worldwide.
Interview - David Child
David Child has taken the helm at one of the country's most ambitious adviser firms. Paul Robertson talks to Lifesearch's new managing director
IP Sales - Batten the hatches!
So, you haven't sold income protection to your clients. What's the worst that can happen? According to John Bridge, an awful lot...
Severity Payments - In the eye of the beholder
Severity based protection payments have become more common over the year. Phil Jeynes explains why in his overview of 2011
