Letter of authority: Why now is the right time for change

'Digital laggards might well find it hits their bottom line'

clock • 3 min read

Anthony Rafferty explains why he believes 2024 will be a pivotal year for digitising the letter of authority process...

Talk to any adviser, paraplanner or administrator in a financial advice firm and one of their major frustrations will be how providers deal with their letter of authority requests. This is well known, and has been well documented, notably via three pieces of in-depth research amongst advice firms by The Lang Cat. It is right that this process – the legal document, signed by the client, which allows their adviser to act on their behalf with providers – receives ever more focused attention. It's a process that affects not just efficiency and costs for advice firms but the quality of the...

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 Your profession

How economic abuse manifests itself in pensions, mortgages and protection

How economic abuse manifests itself in pensions, mortgages and protection

Second in a three part series

Shelley Read
clock 11 November 2026 • 5 min read
Celtic FP founder launches online admin platform for advisers

Celtic FP founder launches online admin platform for advisers

‘Developed by people who understand the industry’

Jenna Brown
clock 10 November 2026 • 2 min read
Budget BADR changes could drive flurry of advice M&A but unlikely to hit valuations

Budget BADR changes could drive flurry of advice M&A but unlikely to hit valuations

Firms urged not to rush sales

Isabel Baxter
clock 09 November 2026 • 4 min read