FSA

The regulator is considering whether to increase the number of free cases firms are entitled to at the Ombudsman and increase the importance of the case fee, rather than the levy, in its funding.

The Personal Finance Society has launched a survey into the use of wraps in the retail investment market to aid its ongoing discussions with the Financial Services Authority on wrap platforms.

The Financial Services Authority has announced the second stage of its review of the effectiveness of the mortgage regime will focus on the sub-prime sector, where the risk of consumer detriment may be higher.

Everyone in the industry has an opinion on the FSA, particularly at the moment with the regulator's push toward a more principles-based system for delivering advice.

The Financial Services Authority is urging firms to ensure they meet its financial promotions standards for home reversion plans and self-invested personal pensions before they become regulated tomorrow.

In contacting the Liberal Democrats press office this week to get their response to the Treasury and Gordon Brown's defence of the abolition of tax relief on dividends, they replied "there's not much more we can really add to what we've already said"....

The Association of Investment Companies appears to have won its argument against key reforms to the UK listing regime of overseas firms which could have been detrimental to consumer protection.

The Association of Consulting Actuaries is calling for government departments dealing with pensions to be included in the Thornton Review of pensions institutions.

It seems there are few in the industry willing to talk about it but a major regulatory deadline passed last Friday: firms' implementation date for the treating customers fairly (TCF) regime.

Resolution is investigating the possibility of establishing a separate annuity company owned by shareholders, to capture a larger share of the vesting pensions market, as well as expanding its protection market position.