Small firms 'hanging on' to trail income, says consolidator

Scott Sinclair
clock

Small firm consolidation in the financial advice market has yet to materialise as predicted because many owners are "hanging on" to the trail commission they earn on pre-Retail Distribution Review (RDR) business, according to one acquirer.

Stephen Harper, whose business Attivo Group has bought six client banks this year and is shooting for double that in 2015, said that, depending on their circumstances, some small business owners are choosing to continue to receive the trail income for a little longer before doing a deal. The RDR banished commission on retail investment advice, but the regulator ruled that income due on business written prior to the new rules being introduced at the end of 2012 could continue unless new advice was given. However, a mass switch-off of fund-based legacy commission processed via platforms...

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 RDR

RDR ten years on: An advice industry changed for the better
RDR

RDR ten years on: An advice industry changed for the better

'The end of the advice industry as we know it'

Kevin Silvester
clock 08 February 2023 • 2 min read
RDR

Deja vu: Are we heading back to the future on commission?

Marty, fire up the DeLorean

Tim Sargisson
clock 13 January 2016 • 3 min read
RDR

Blog: How can we shrink the advice gap?

The advice gap has been a popular topic since the Retail Distribution Review, but hasn't this gap always existed?

clock 02 November 2015 •