Building a bond

The UK financial services environment continues to be a difficult one for IFAs. The pending introduction of the stakeholder suite of saving products, and the resulting squeeze on costs may mean that many IFAs decide they cannot continue to service this market and remain profitable. The retail industry will increasingly become serviced by larger institutions such as banks, mostly within a multi-tied model after depolarisation. Many IFAs recognise this and, to maintain their high quality of service and independence, are increasingly specialising in wealth management. Wealthy individuals dem...