Regulation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has committed to investigating the case for a long-stop as part of its business plan for 2014-15.

Firms' failures to rectify mistakes has been a key factor in the rise of claims management companies (CMCs), Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) chief executive Natalie Ceeney said.

CONTRARIAN

Advisers expect an anticipated increase in self-directed investment following the introduction of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) will lead to more work for them, research suggests.

The managing director of Sense Network has said that he has "grave concerns" regarding the readiness of product providers for the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

Financial advisers in the UK "lag their US peers" in making use of softer skills, according to life coach Maria Nemeth.

Aegon has declared its "full support" and confidence in the future of its national IFA brand, Positive Solutions, despite a number of high-profile departures and disruption caused by an exit clause introduced last year.

The banning of marketing "packages" between providers and advisory groups would bankrupt most networks and support service providers, Threesixty managing director Phil Young said.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is fighting a proposal by Lloyds Banking Group to pay its first dividend since the government acquired a 43% stake in 2008, according to reports.

FIVE THINGS