Architas, Axa Wealth's multi-manager offering, has renamed its active and passive funds in a move aimed at providing more easy to understand products and greater transparency ahead of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

Investec Structured Products has launched its first UCITS fund which aims to provide equity-like returns and protection from counterparty risk.

Royal London-owned wrap Ascentric has launched an offshore bond for clients seeking the tax benefits of investing offshore.

Bestinvest has undergone a structural review of the business which could result in job losses, it has emerged.

Hargreaves Lansdown has said it "intends" to remain independent after the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

Skandia UK has reported an increase in funds under management to £35.6bn for the first three months of the year, but net sales slipped 50%.

Royal London saw a 10% decline in new life and pensions business in the first quarter, citing difficult market conditions.

Heartwood Investment Management has set out plans to forge partnerships with 100 adviser firms as part of a fresh assault on the intermediary sector.

Lowes Financial Management has launched a portfolio analysis tool for users of its client-facing website CompareStructuredProducts.com.

An adviser is appealing to investment companies to help him raise £25,000 for a charity set up in memory of his daughter who died from a misdiagnosis.