Lloyds Banking Group has been hit with a record fine by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for retail conduct failings - related to serious flaws in the controls over sales incentive schemes - of over £28m. But what went so wrong?

Fines levied by the regulator against the financial services industry soared by almost 50% this year, as the tougher stance of the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) left its mark.

Former BBC economics editor and now J.P. Morgan Asset Management's chief market strategist for the UK and Europe Stephanie Flanders give her run down of what investors can expect in the year ahead.

DIM CAPABILITY

Savvy IFAs looking to offload their businesses in the New Year are building up their profits to entice buyers rather than relying on selling on a recurring trail basis, according to a consultancy that deals in adviser merger and acquisitions.

HSBC is weighing up floating its UK arm, according to reports, ahead of new rules that demand banks ringfence their retail banking operations.

MPs have refused to grant the regulator the power to ban individuals before its investigations into them are completed, due in part to the "serious harm" it could cause small firms.

Labour's plans to freeze energy prices could ruin investors in energy companies, the head of the OECD has told BBC's Panorama programme.

SCOTLAND

There has been a 40% rise in reports by businesses of potential insider dealing to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), according to figures compiled by regulatory consultancy Bovil.