The FSA will be able to restrict firms from selling certain products and suspend individuals as ‘disciplinary' measures when it implements new powers granted to it under the Financial Services Act 2010.

Banks led the FTSE 2% higher in late trading on Thursday as positive economic news from the Eurozone eased fears of a double-dip recession.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) received almost 20,000 extra investment claims in 2009/10, mostly as a result of the collapse of Keydata Investment Services.

Britons display "worryingly" low levels of optimism towards preparing for retirement and possess a gloomier outlook than their counterparts across the Atlantic, a study suggests.

Aviva says it is "not ashamed" of its multi-distribution approach but insists IFAs remain its "lifeblood" and claims direct sales will never account for more than 10% of business written.

The CII is offering candidates who failed one of its exams a free re-sit after it contained a flawed question worth more than a tenth of the overall marks.

Clarkson Hill directors Ron Pritchard and Mike Robinson have loaned the business £588,000 to help it meet its regulatory capital requirements.

Sesame Bankhall will launch a restricted advice service for at-retirement customers with small pension pots.

Goldman Sachs has angrily defended itself against a public campaign claiming the bank is exacerbating global food crises through its commodity trading operations.

The Chancellor will today unveil plans to reform Britain's tax system in a bid to reduce the burden of red tape on businesses and attract more international investment.