IMA

The Investment Management Association has teamed up with the Securities and Investment Institute to offer a voluntary, stand alone investment qualification.

ISA sales soared 25% in 2006/7 despite rumours of their apparent unpopularity, according to research from the Investment Management Association.

The Investment Management Association has for the first time launched sales and fund under management data for offshore investment funds.

Industry figures have welcomed the launch of an independent Absolute Return sector.

A national system of generic advice could cost just £50m, less than half the estimated figure published in a Select Committee report, claims the Resolution Foundation.

Xafinity Paymaster believes it is possible to administer personal accounts at a cost of around £10 per saver, despite many in the pensions industry claiming such low charges are impossible.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton has confirmed he has reconsidered the proposals to cap contributions in personal accounts at £5,000.

Intermediaries accounted for more than 80% of gross retail business in the investment sector, as total funds under management rose to £411bn in January, while net ISA sales fell by more than 70%.

Government assumptions about the costs of personal accounts could be incorrect if they have been developed from ‘over-optimistic' figures and modelling, warns the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Industry bodies have expressed their concerns over the problems introducing auto-enrolment in 2012 will have on group personal pensions.