Regulation

Advisers are being warned ‘alternative' assessment methods proposed by the FSA as a different route to QCF level four will be just as rigorous as written exams.

Advisers should be allowed to take research books into examinations to replicate the resources they have on hand in the workplace, says AWD Group's Martyn Laverick.

The recent RDR consultation paper represents a 'common sense' set of proposals, says Transact head of marketing Malcolm Murray.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) will halt its investigation into the fairness of bank overdraft charges.

Below is the section from the latest RDR consultation paper that applies to pure protection.

The FSA has hit bank Toronto Dominion's London branch with a £7m fine for repeated failings, the fourth highest fine on record.

Changes to the labels ‘independent' and ‘restricted' for the protection market will confuse advisers and consumers alike, say industry experts.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has appointed Kate Bartlett director of operations.

Malcolm Small says the FSA's decision not to read across adviser charging to the protection market is a pragmatic recognition of different sectors of the industry.

The FSA says the establishment of an in-house professional standards model will be cheaper than setting up an independent organisation.