APFA: Advisers gearing up to expand and merge

Laura Miller
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Almost a third of advisers have plans to expand their business in the next six months, either by recruiting additional staff or through mergers or acquisitions, according to research from the Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA).

The figures, collected in NMG Consulting's Financial Adviser Census, show that 15% of firms are planning to recruit more advisers, while 19% are looking to recruit or make more use of paraplanners and/or administrators. In addition, one in ten (9%) are looking to expand through acquisition or merger with another financial advice business. APFA senior technical adviser Linda Smith said: "The advice industry is going through a period of considerable change, but our research shows that many advisers see this as an opportunity. "It is encouraging that so many are optimistic about futur...

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