THINGS WE'VE LEARNED

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is carrying out significantly fewer regulatory visits to small firms in what some suggest may reflect its changing view about the risks they pose to the industry.

Sanlam Investments and Pensions, part of the Sanlam UK, has launched a range of risk rated socially responsible investment portfolios (SRIs).

Some 80% of people earning more than £50,000 a year will seek out some sort of professional financial advice, according to research released today.

National IFA AWD Chase de Vere is to open an office in Chester.

Shareholders at the Lighthouse Group have called for a general meeting to remove the current director, David Hickey, and replace him with the previous co-director Allan Rosengren.

Yesterday's statement from MacRobins has raised the stakes in the stand off between itself and the ex-Honister providers. But how far is either party prepared to go in the fight to determine trail-commission ownership?

Skandia has said it will enable adviser charging on 90% of its life products with the main exceptions being the Maximum Investment Plan (MIP) and the Skandia Life Bond range.

Three ex-Honister providers will continue to accept bulk transfers despite MacRobin's assertion that there are legal and practical issues that should prevent them from doing so.

The advisory business that acquired the trail and pipeline commissions of Honister Capital advisers has questioned some of the actions of providers since the deal took place, and pledged it "will not compete" with the IFAs over their clients.