Wrap provider Ascentric has expanded its business development team to promote its services to major IFA accounts, national adviser groups and IFA networks.

Annual inflation measured by the CPI rose to 4.4% in July, up from 3.8% in June, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Lehman Brothers, with plan manager Defined Returns Limited (DRL), has launched Issue Six of its Enhanced Return Plan.

Intermediaries are seeing their share of the mortgage market eroded, according to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

The FSA has banned a mortgage broker and his wife for submitting false income information on a personal loan application.

Financial Services Advice and Support (FSAS) co-founder Alistair Mackay will retire from the IFA network at the end of the year.

The Building Societies Association (BSA) has recruited Paul Broadhead, deputy director-general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers, as head of mortgage policy.

The rate of CPI inflation hit 4.4pc in July, up from 3.8pc in June and more than twice the target 2pc level.

Investors in US equities should begin constructively taking on additional risk, according to BlackRock vice chairman Bob Doll.

Smoothing has helped cushion Standard Life's with-profits policies against falling markets, the group says today in its mid-year review of bonus rates.