Defaqto

Defaqto's publications have been recognised as contributing to continuing professional development (CPD) by the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP).

Defaqto has published a free guide highlighting opportunities in the critical illness sector for advisers.

Consumers are becoming more confident in shunning specialist financial advice and purchasing financial products online, according to new research.

Platforms are falling short on service levels despite this being one of the main reasons advisers switch between providers, research suggests.

Fraser Donaldson, insight analyst for funds at Defaqto, says discretionary fund managers (DFMs) are actively targeting the IFA market and providing another choice for advisers.

Advisers need to consider the "hugely significant issue" of service standards when undertaking what can be an arduous platform due diligence process, according to Defaqto.

Multi-manager outsourcing solutions have suffered a decline in popularity as advisers turn to discretionary managers who have seized the opportunity presented by regulatory change to grab market share.

Defaqto has said it believes short term income protection (IP) products are likely to become the replacement for payment protection insurance (PPI).

Protect has confirmed representatives from the Protection Review, Income Protection Task Force and Defaqto will be speaking at its May meeting.

Nearly a quarter of advisers think using a single platform for their clients will jeopardise their claims of independence, research suggests.