Analysis: Cost of fair treatment too high for IFAs

clock

Berkeley Berry Birch's decision to withdraw its appeal to the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal has raised questions about the fairness of the UK financial services regulatory regime's appeals process in relation to IFAs and whether, in reality, firms could ever truly make an appeal given the costs involved.

Last week it was announced BBB had six weeks to find £11m to fill the capital adequacy deficits of two of its subsidiaries before the Financial Services Authority (FSA) closes them down. BBB has until 27 February to find the money and save the two firms, BIA and Weston. The FSA will not cancel the permissions either firm has to conduct regulated business if BIA and Weston are able provide the regulator with written opinions from their auditors they are compliant with the prudential Rules on capital adequacy. BBB had intended to challenge decisions made by the FSA, thorugh Financial Servic...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

FCA's SDR regulation will 'make advisers sit up and listen'

FCA's SDR regulation will 'make advisers sit up and listen'

‘There has to be a fundamental re-educating of the adviser community’

Isabel Baxter
clock 30 November 2023 • 4 min read
Advice/guidance boundary review will help 'bridge advice gap'

Advice/guidance boundary review will help 'bridge advice gap'

The FCA’s latest update leads to mixed reactions from the industry

Sahar Nazir
clock 04 August 2023 • 4 min read
FCA review confirms investment pathways working 'as intended'

FCA review confirms investment pathways working 'as intended'

No changes to initiative but industry called to better support savers

Holly Roach
clock 12 July 2023 • 3 min read