Technology

Friends Provident has launched a corporate investment platform aimed at employee benefit consultants and trustees in the unbundled pensions market.

The FSA is set to bring in new capital adequacy requirements for platforms, it said today in its platform discussion paper, warning the cost of ongoing business for some players will increase.

Cofunds chief executive Brett Williams believes proposed changes to platform remuneration are likely to lead to increased costs and heightened adviser confusion.

The FSA is making it compulsory for platforms to offer re-registration by 31 December 2012.

An unbundled charging structure will improve clarity for customers according to the FSA's RDR, published today.

The FSA's Sheila Nicoll has hinted today's Discussion Paper on platforms will hone in on rebates, transparency of charging and action the regulator can take to aid re-registration.

With the number of platforms increasing and competition intensifying, advisers need to take more time selecting the right platform for their clients, writes Skandia's Jeremy Mugridge.

Ascentric has appointed Julia Dobell as business development manager in the North as the wrap identifies growing demand for its proposition in the region.

The head of Avalon - one of the first platforms to launch in the UK - says the RDR will have very little impact on the high-end of the market.

1ST - The Exchange has released the latest version of its back office software solution Adviser Office (AO) as part of an ongoing client consultation programme.