The FTSE 100 opened in positive territory as strong results from majority-nationalised bank RBS crowned off a largely impressive results week for the UK banking sector.

Skandia UK posted a 65% rise in new life business during the first half of the year, driven by a strong jump in pensions sales.

SL Investment Management (SL), the traded endowment policy (TEP) and life settlement provider, has acquired former competitor PolicyPlus.

Towergate Financial has appointed former Hartford man Dan Russell to the newly created role of director of client proposition.

A former director of investment firm Imperial Consolidated Group has been sentenced 3 ½ years imprisonment for his part in a global fraud conspiracy.

Aurora Group has selected Voyant UK as its "preferred" front end financial planning solution.

Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today held interest rates at 0.5% - marking the 17th consecutive month they have been held at the historical low.

Global emerging market funds have soared in value by 60%, with interest in the sector set to grow further as developed economies struggle with recession, says Defaqto.

The number of IFAs facing issues with overseas property investments has soared over the last few years as the fall-out from the financial crisis has hit the schemes hard, according to a legal services firm.

A certified financial planner has fired a series of parting shots at the CII after quitting the organisation over threats to discipline him for failure to submit CPD records.