Vulnerability management: Consumer Duty all-important as consolidation continues

Will customer vulnerability management take over from AUM in 2025?

clock • 2 min read

Andrew Gething warns that ignoring Consumer Duty and customer vulnerability could deter consolidators and their private equity backers…

Recently, I was talking to a consolidator of financial adviser businesses about customer vulnerability management and the due diligence around Consumer Duty. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is likely to enforce Consumer Duty over 2025; this therefore represents quite a liability for acquirers if the target firm has not implemented Consumer Duty. Assets under management (AUM) effectively represent the amount of income an adviser can make from ongoing fees. It is relatively easy to adjust the percentage income from the assets to assess scenarios of income, taking into account fair...

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

One in five adults have made panic-driven financial decisions

One in five adults have made panic-driven financial decisions

Link between financial education and levels of anxiety

Jaskeet Briah
clock 25 February 2026 • 1 min read
Who really owns the digital client relationship? From ownership to orchestration

Who really owns the digital client relationship? From ownership to orchestration

The battle for the digital layer

Tessa Lee
clock 23 February 2026 • 5 min read
Why more financial advisers should post on TikTok

Why more financial advisers should post on TikTok

‘In 2026, financial advisers should take another look at TikTok’

Joe Jordan
clock 23 February 2026 • 4 min read