News

US markets continued to edge higher on Wednesday, despite the Federal Reserve's latest minutes suggesting an interest rate hike may come sooner than expected.

Operating profits at Phoenix Group increased to £266m in the first half of the year compared to £186m for the same period in 2013, latest results show.

The chair of the Financial Services Consumer Panel (FSCP) has offered harsh criticism of firms' efforts to improve how they deal with clients, saying she doesn't believe most have embraced the idea of treating customers fairly.

The Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) recorded a near-£18,000 deficit last year - its first loss in four years - despite an increase in members.

Two members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted for a 25bps rate hike this month, latest minutes show - the first call for hikes in over three years.

By combining Budget reforms with existing rules which reward savers who delay taking their State pension, eligible women can boost their payout by up to tens of thousands of pounds over a lifetime.

Bank of Scotland has been unfairly double billing customers who fell behind on their mortgages, a High Court judge in Belfast has ruled.

Standard Chartered has agreed to pay $300m (£180m) to New York's top banking regulator for failing to improve money laundering controls.

In this week's quick fire Retirement Planner poll we ask: Do you agree that we need a rethink on the word and concept of 'retirement?'

In this week's Retirement Planner news round-up we highlight five key stories you might have missed over the past seven days.