IFA

Mis-selling of financial products is likely to increase unless the industry acts to tackle the consumer knowledge gap in terminology and financial literacy, suggests research by the Institute of Financial Services.

AIFA director general Paul Smee and director of policy Fay Goddard will headline as guest speakers during a month long UK roadshow being hosted by Winterthur Life.

The Securities Institute has launched a new website which details its new qualification for IFAs called The Investment and Financial Advice Qualification (IFAQ).

Recent research commissioned by The Alternative Investment Show (AIS) suggests IFAs will do increasing levels of business with clients looking away from traditional asset classes such as cash, bonds and equities.

IFA responses to the FSA's ‘Treating Customers Fairly' report have not exactly been positive, as many intermediaries might expect.

Several IFAs have already responded to the projection rates debate, following publication of the FSA's latest consultation paper.

Comments from IFAs and others present at this weekend's PIMS 2004 conference suggest a basic lack of suitably qualified advisers could scupper the government's pensions reforms - yet, also create more business for IFAs.

An online introducer service is being launched for both consumers and IFAs which could challenge IFA Promotion's role of passing on local financial services business leads.

The UK's singles population represents a potentially huge business opportunity for IFAs struggling with depolarisation as most have not bothered to sort themselves out with relevant illness or income protection, says Zurich Financial Services.

Most financial advisers cannot be trusted to sell the right protection products along with mortgages says the CA today following a year-long undercover investigation.