Our regular round-up of the latest insights on investment distribution
Adviser platforms must be ready for Budget-induced financial planning changes
Adviser platform assets continue to rise, but the Budget poses challenges, according to our latest UK Adviser Platforms: Autumn Update report. AUA was up in Q3, with some platforms achieving growth of 4% or more. However, flows have taken a slight hit – especially...
D2C services plot different paths to similar destinations
Online investing services offer their customers distinctly different experiences but are becoming more similar in how they combine investing, saving and day-to-day money, according to our latest UK D2C: Investor Experience report. Differences abound. Established...
How IHT changes in the Budget will help life cos
The Budget introduces significant inheritance tax (IHT) changes that will impact financial advisers, platforms, wealth managers, and asset managers. Life insurers, however, may benefit most. Key IHT adjustments include: • Limiting pensions as IHT avoidance tools,...
Cross-border challenges for asset managers
Significant challenges for European asset managers – but also some green shoots – were revealed in Platforum’s recently-published European Fund Distribution: Routes to Market report. Net sales of European-domiciled funds have markedly improved since 2022 but...
Dear CEO: a dearth of one-off advice
The FCA’s latest Dear CEO letter landed last week and sent a shot across consolidators’ bows. But it was the part where the regulator yet again raises the issue of ongoing advice that caught our attention. The FCA has repeatedly expressed concerns that advisers...
The continuing resilience of the advice market
Advice firms look after more clients and more assets than ever before. Contrary to popular belief, adviser numbers have risen since 2016, although much too slowly to keep pace with demand. Despite economic and regulatory challenges, advice business has proved to be...