IFAs still thriving under adversity

The introduction of the Financial Services Act 1986 led some commentators to predict the demise, within two or three years, of the IFA sector. And yet here we are, more than a decade later, thriving with increased market share in many areas. Nevertheless, we have to recognise that the sector is continually under threat. We have only to look at the rules for stakeholder to see they pose a bigger potential threat to the mainstream income of the majority of IFAs than the 'little local difficulties' we have experienced in respect of transfers. The commitment to decision trees and charges too ...