Almost one in six financial advisers will leave the industry if the Retail Distribution Review's (RDR) proposals are accepted in their current form.

Alistair Darling's future was in question last night after Whitehall insiders said that he could be involved in an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, The Times reports.

Alliance Trust Savings has launched a fund supermarket with a commission rebate model to provide investment dealing and pensions to individual investors and their advisers.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has launched Diversified Alpha Plus, a UCITS III fund offering access to a multi-asset class portfolio.

IFA Life is set to run two marketing workshops for IFAs in December and January to help IFAs promote their skills and raise the profession's profile.

National IFA Helm Godfrey says its "client centric" approach is helping it withstand the credit crunch despite posting a 34% drop in first-half pre-tax profits.

The real rate of inflation for UK pensioners is around 9pc, according to Alexander Forbes Annuity Bureau.

London-based IFA Helm Godfrey registered a 34pc drop in first half net profits before tax, down to £335,000 from £507,000 in the same period in 2007.

The number of mortgages lent for property purchase has fallen by 71% over the past year, according to the latest figures from the Bank of England.

J O Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) has launched Japan Select fund, which will take advantage of country's emerging dividend culture.