News

Advisers have to stop criticising each other to better build the image of the profession and increase consumer confidence, Keith Richards has said.

Fidelity Worldwide Investment (FWI) is to expand its range of FAST funds with the launch of a US portfolio for manager Adrian Brass, as it moves to create a US equity research desk that can "rival anything in London".

Payday loan companies routinely fail to treat their customers fairly and often encourage those struggling to repay the debt to extend their loan, according to research from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

Fiscal Engineers managing director Shane Mullins has been named small and medium enterprise (SME) director of the year by the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Santander has confirmed it is "exploring the possibility" of the sale of a stake in its asset management division.

Financial advisers have embraced the Retail Distribution Review's (RDR) push for higher qualifications and are looking to extend their level of expertise beyond the mandatory QCF Level 4, an advisory support group said.

The proportion of high earners referring unresolved complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) almost doubled last year, illustrating, it said, that "few people are immune" from the effects of the economic crisis.

A debate on fund manager fees is likely to intensify following research suggesting some council pension funds are paying significantly more to asset managers than others.

The Co-operative Bank has appointed the former head of HSBC's North American propositions as its new chief executive.

Jon Pain, a former managing director and one-time interim chief executive of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), is to join state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).