Skandia

The cost of including good financial advice in personal accounts would be offset by an improvement in investment returns, claims Skandia.

Skandia, Cofunds and FundsNetwork are responsible for most of the 60% growth in the wrap platform space in the past year, suggests a Defaqto report.

Claims suggesting an investment platform could be used to resolve the issue of protecting tax-free cash when consolidating pensions are unfounded, says Standard Life.

The reformed Skandia/Selestia wrap proposition is likely to follow a rebate or bundled charging structure when it launches later this year, officials at the firm say.

Two-thirds of IFAs say they are "very likely" to recommend wraps in the future, compared to just over a half a year ago, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt.

The UK Platform Group has called on the Financial Services Authority to reform platform regulation and scrap the UK's "unique packaged product regime".

Advisers must ensure gifts are made into trusts in the right order to avoid unnecessary tax bills, following the introduction of the new inheritance tax regime, Skandia has warned.

Shortfalls in defined benefit pension schemes could provide a new business opportunity for advisers using the concurrency rules introduced on A-Day, says Skandia.

Skandia is urging the government to reconsider what it describes as a "stealth tax on children" following confirmation gifts to minors through absolute trusts will be liable for tax charges.

December 6th is celebrated in many countries as St Nicholas' Day. In the Netherlands, children traditionally leave their shoes out for St Nicholas' annual visit, with the well-behaved children receiving presents in return for food left for St Nicholas'...