CII

The majority of financial advisers want to improve their qualifications in anticipation of the RDR, according to the CII.

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has called on the FSA to "rebuild public trust" by developing higher professional standards in the industry.

The proposed top-tier of advisers should be qualified to chartered status in line with other professions such as accounting and engineering, MPs say.

The Chartered Insurance Institute has joined forces with educational charity Life Academy to promote a new University of Surrey course aimed at advisers.

Trevor Matthews, CEO of Standard Life Assurance and newly appointed deputy president of the CII, says chartered status is a good level to aim at for the IFA industry.

It is vital consumers are consulted to ensure they understand the "industry terminology" in the regulator's Retail Distribution review, according to the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Financial planning firms are now able to apply for chartered status after the Chartered Insurance Institute introduced corporate status for its Chartered Financial Planner title.

Adviser examination rivals the Chartered Insurance Institute and the Securities & Investment Institute have joined forces to create a uniform financial services qualification.

The Chartered Insurance Institute is calling on the government to implement some form of generic adviser evaluation framework to protect the public when unregulated advice is introduced.

IFA firm Towry Law has announced it expects all 200 wealth advisers to have achieved the Chartered Insurance Institute's Diploma in Financial Planning as a minimum benchmark qualification by the end of 2008.