Simplified advice: FCA urged to rethink stance on 'priority needs'

Scott Sinclair
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Simplified advice should not be restricted to those who have cleared their debts and had other ‘priority needs' met if the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is serious about closing the advice gap, according to a law firm.

Current regulatory guidance on simplified advice says it will not be suitable for those who may need to reduce existing debts, as that should take precedence. But Pinsent Masons partner Bruno Geiringer said if somebody has an investment need, "some sort" of advice would be more beneficial than no advice at all. "People are commonly both investors and savers today, and to exclude people with debts from using a simplified advice model would reduce the size of potential customers likely to be in this segment of the market, and potentially increase the inaccessibility of people with simpl...

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