RDR

Client complaints could either be investigated several times or not at all under FSA plans permitting alternative bodies to handle grievances about advisers' ‘professionalism'.

The Government will set up a working group to study remuneration at banks and the effects it has on consumers.

Lighthouse Group is stepping up its client sourcing activities as its advisers seek more customers to balance an expected drop off in income "per case" post-RDR.

Advisers waiting for 'alternative' assessments for obtaining QCF Level 4 could be hampering their chances of being qualified before the RDR deadline, Zurich UK Life's intermediary sales director Richard Howells says.

The Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) has approved the final QCF Level 4 standards with new guidelines for giving specialist advice.

The majority of consumers will only be prepared to pay for investment advice as a percentage of the amount invested and will not part with more than 3% as an initial fee, industry figures say.

Aegon has launched an online support centre to help advisers make their business RDR compliant.

The Conservative Party best understands the requirements of the financial services industry, advisers say.

IFAs face a "race against time" to get in shape for the RDR, with some exhibiting glaring gaps in their knowledge of new qualification requirements, recent research suggests.

A newly-formed industry association has been set up in Australia - but only 14 firms have so far met its strict criteria for independence.