wrap platforms

A third of platform research carried out by advisers focuses on provider strength, suggests research from Capita.

Aviva will offer a phased drawdown plan on its wrap and SIPP platform which it said will help minimize death taxes.

Nucleus has added a self-service option to its model portfolios, which gives advisers more control to create and rebalance investments.

Bestinvest has launched an execution-only platform and SIPP service.

The Retail Distribution Review (RDR) will create "perverse" tax implications for consumers facing "significant uncertainties", the IMA warned today.

Platforms should spend less time launching financial planning tools and "step up" their efforts in the areas of financial strength, technology and service support, according to Rayner Spencer Mills.

TISA has said its platform re-registration project will be completed ahead of schedule, hailing the "remarkable" progress which has now made same-day platform re-reg an achievable goal.

Alliance Trust has published its top 20 most popular funds purchased through platform i.nvest for SIPPs and ISA investments over the 2010/11 tax year.

A lack of clarity from the FSA about advisers' use of platforms means firms have to "second guess" the regulator's requirements, according to The Platforum managing director Holly Mackay.

Advisers are increasingly looking for platforms which offer the "critical feature" of model portfolio and discretionary asset management services, according to The Platforum.