Regulation

Linda Woodall, the head of investment intermediaries at the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has admitted there is an "ongoing underlying tension" between advisers and the regulator, but claims this is "as it should be".

A barrister representing advisers fighting the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) over Lifemark compensation has insisted the products were not high risk.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is consulting on a change to its adviser charging rules to ensure advisory firms do not receive any kick-back payments from discretionary investment managers (DIMs) in exchange for recommending their services.

The Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) has warned the government that the threat of retrospective regulation is preventing advisers from recommending enterprise investment schemes (EIS) to clients.

The Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA) has called for claims management companies (CMCs) to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The new financial regulators will have the power to discipline individuals for activities outside of the controlled functions they perform, under rules proposed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

PanaceaIFA, the online community for IFAs, is rebranding to Panacea Adviser to reflect the changing advisory landscape ahead of the implementation of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

WHAT I REALLY THINK

The High Court has dismissed an appeal by Thinc Group - now Bluefin - against a ruling which said it could not claim back goodwill payments worth more than £243,000 from two self-employed advisers whose contracts with the business were terminated.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has defended its decision to warn providers and advisory groups about securing "distribution agreements" which may appear to be commission by another name, saying it has evidence of deals which have raised its suspicions....