Advice vs guidance: The FCA case studies

Carmen Reichman
clock • 3 min read

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on the boundaries between advice and guidance after it found execution-only services have strayed into giving advice.

The regulator said its research has shown there has been a small shift from advised services to non-advised services but a "greater move from channels not involving a personal recommendation to those that did." > Read: Advisers raise ‘systemic mis-selling' risk of simplified advice models < It is now consulting on its guidance and has published a range of possible scenarios to help firms understand what it believes is advice and what is guidance - and to see if firms agree with its definitions. Guidance: 1) Websites without filtering, which provide "general generic information". ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

TISA urges FCA to rethink targeted support fees and levies proposals

TISA urges FCA to rethink targeted support fees and levies proposals

Could ‘undermine’ the aims of targeted support

Isabel Baxter
clock 12 January 2026 • 2 min read
FCA's targeted support rules set to take effect from April 2026

FCA's targeted support rules set to take effect from April 2026

Regulator plans to open application gateway for firms in March

Isabel Baxter
clock 11 December 2025 • 5 min read
FCA sets out plans to simplify complaints regime

FCA sets out plans to simplify complaints regime

Including requirement for firms to report complaints involving vulnerable clients

Isabel Baxter
clock 04 December 2025 • 2 min read