Up to £8bn could exit with-profit bonds over the next three years, according to Skandia.

Network Alpha to Omega has been told by the FSA it is unable to take on any new business.

Standard Life is set to launch a programme on its wrap to help IFA firms prepare for the RDR.

Mortgage lending grew 14% in December with the "surprisingly strong" data driven by a surge in house purchase completions, according to CML figures.

China's economy grew by a greater-than-expected 8.7% in 2009 - putting the country on course to overtake Japan as the world's second biggest economy.

The head of Britain's biggest bank, HSBC, has criticised the Government's handling of the economy and called for austerity to get the country back on track.

US shares tumbled in early trading on the back of disappointing results for three major banks and reports of a significant tightening in China's monetary policy.

Nucleus has appointed Barry Neilson, formerly of F&C Investments, as business development director.

Prudential is extending its partnership with OBSR to launch five actively-managed and risk-rated funds to help advisers adapt to regulatory changes.

AWD Chase de Vere has appointed a new non-executive chairman and two non-executives directors to its board.