RDR

Close Asset Management is looking to acquire the client banks of about 40 IFA businesses over the next few years as part of an ambitious growth strategy.

Advisers worried about changes to charging are probably taking too simplistic a view of how to earn their money, says consulting expert Roderic Rennison.

The Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC)is launching a series of consultation events on specialist investment advice exam standards.

Aviva's Financial Adviser Academy has put 5,000 advisers through its financial skills course since opening its doors in March 2008.

IFAs face a race against time to get in shape for the RDR, with some firms plagued by a mindset of resistance to change, according to transitional planning firm FP Advance.

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.

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

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.