Friends Provident

Key figures in the income protection market have reached a consensus on the issues which must be addressed to improve sales and increase awareness of the product.

Friends Provident has beaten City expectations with a 40% surge in third-quarter life and pensions sales and a UK market share of 6.9% in the second quarter, says the Guardian .

Only 8% of IFAs claim to still be in the dark over the changes to inheritance tax and trusts, claims Friends Provident.

Friends Provident has appointed Jim Smart, who was chief financial officer of Boots before its merger with Alliance Unichem, as its new finance director, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Lifesearch has raised concerns Friends Provident's agreement to sell life assurance through John Lewis will not meet 'treating customers fairly' requirements.

Friends Provident has upgraded its online underwriting system to enable IFAs to amend protection applications after the policies have started.

Friends Provident is to close its appointed representative channel which will affect around 200 mortgage advisers.

Axa has become the second life company to offer members financial education in partnership with Life Academy.

The vast majority of consumers believe inheritance tax is unfair according to a new report from Friends Provident.

Mining stocks pushed the FTSE 100 higher, as it ended the day up 37.5 points, or 0.63%, to 5,986.6 to finish at its best levels of the day.