FCA focuses on 'potential to distort competition' in £500bn platform market

Wide-ranging Investment Platforms Market Study

Julian Marr
clock • 3 min read

"The potential to distort competition" in the platform market is a key focus of the Investment Platforms Market Study, wide-ranging terms of reference for which the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published today.

The regulator said it would also explore which factors advisers prioritise when choosing, reviewing and deciding whether to switch platform, and whether platforms consider the end-investor when competing to win business from advisers In its Investment Platforms Market Study Terms of Reference (MS17/1.1), the FCA said the platform market, which has grown from £108bn in 2008 to £500bn in 2016, was becoming "increasingly vertically integrated", with commercial relationships existing between platforms, asset managers, discretionary investment managers and financial advisers. It added: "Th...

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

Paul Bruns: Ongoing review flexibility and the advice gap

Paul Bruns: Ongoing review flexibility and the advice gap

Changes are still currently only at proposal stage

Paul Bruns
clock 10 August 2026 • 5 min read
How considering vegetable peelers can inform your product design

How considering vegetable peelers can inform your product design

FCA released two reports to mark the third birthday of Consumer Duty

Alison Gay
clock 31 July 2026 • 4 min read
Andy Wealthall: Is there still a place for annual suitability reviews?

Andy Wealthall: Is there still a place for annual suitability reviews?

'We shouldn't solve one problem by creating another'

Andy Wealthall
clock 30 July 2026 • 4 min read