Regulation

The FSA has set out an ambitious implementation plan for its new retail distribution strategy, with all firms expected to be fully compliant by the end of 2012 at the latest.

Over 3000 IFAs have downloaded the JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) Treating Customers Fairly report, in a bid to be compliant before the December deadline.

The FSA is running the risk of undermining TCF after announcing it will accelerate the full integration of the initiative into its day-to-day regulation of firms, the Financial Services Consumer Panel (FSCP) warns.

The unsettling spectacle of markets crashing around us might have distracted the more routine aspects of advising clients in past months so advisers would be forgiven for parking Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) at the back of their minds.

While advisers generally appear to be satisfied that they will meet the December TCF deadline, many have bemoaned the associated costs and warned of dire consequences for those firms not making the grade.

Investors are more concerned about an adviser's independence than their qualifications, a study of consumer attitudes to treating customers fairly (TCF) suggests.

New wrap platform Novia Financial has formed a partnership with technology provider FinQS to offer cost effective TCF management information tools for advisers.

New wealth management platform Novia has linked with technology provider FinQS to develop tools to aid advisers with TCF responsibilities.

The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) has hit back at the FSA for suggesting specialist lenders are not adhering to TCF principles when handling arrears.