FSA

Regulation has resulted in consumers actively shopping around for mortgages, according to the Financial Services Authority's review of the mortgage regime.

The creation of a ‘small firms division' within the Fos would not add value to the service because specific assistance for such firms is already available, claims the ombudsman.

The Financial Services Authority is preparing to crack down on large banks and insurers which are failing to keep their records up to date and potentially pose a risk to the financial system, says the Guardian .

UK financial services may need to review its business model as the savings sector is regarded as a "middle-classed market", suggest panellists attending a Labour Party Conference fringe meeting.

United Trust Bank has introduced a new online portal targeted at the increasing number of mortgage brokers and IFAs it says are seeking residential short-term bridging loans for clients.

IFAs can continue to sell complex products to ‘intermediate' clients after the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid) is introduced because of a loophole created by the FSA.

Hundreds of staff at Scottish Widows faced an uncertain future last night after the company announced it was to consolidate back office jobs in Chatham, Kent, reports the Scotsman .

The Financial Services Authority has released findings of its latest mystery shopping exercise in the lifetime mortgage market, revealing there is still room for improvement in the advice process.

Providers who do not directly sell or advise on products still need to consider the impact of their actions on the end customer, says John Tiner, chief executive of the Financial Services Authority.

The Financial Services Authority has published details of the authorisation process firms that wish to conduct Home Reversion and Islamic mortgages will have to complete.