Our regular round-up of the latest insights on investment distribution
FCA casts a meaningful vote against exit fees
The FCA is considering banning exit fees – which, on balance, is good for consumers and a positive step for the platform market. But as recent parliamentary shenanigans have shown us, ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’. The FCA has been clearer in its...
Jeremy Fawcett and Andrew Ashwood 15 March 2019
The shrinking sphere of influence
The average number of funds on direct platform select lists has reduced by 10 in the last year. Some of the main cuts came with the relaunches of Hargreaves Lansdown’s Wealth 50 and Interactive Investor’s Super 60 at the start of the year. Select lists play a...
Andrew Ashwood 08 March 2019
The digital journey continues
We are still in the early days of digital personal investing. The last few years have seen some interesting developments around guidance, select lists and investment solutions (whether that means funds or robo portfolios). However, we’re lagging behind on getting...
Jeremy Fawcett 01 March 2019
Lloyds and Schroders stepping into the advice gap
This week we heard more about Schroders Personal Wealth, the joint venture with Lloyds which aims to become a ‘top three UK financial planning business within five years'. The RDR largely killed off financial advice in bank branches as well as wresting control of...
Jeremy Fawcett 22 February 2019
A Valentine’s Day KISS from AJ Bell
Yesterday, AJ Bell Youinvest announced a cut on its multi-asset funds to 0.35%. The steady growth of its passive fund range has allowed it to slash the OCF, passing on savings to investors. The recent FCA asset management market study highlighted that investors...
Cristina Puscas 15 February 2019
The remarkable rise of ESG: Europe leads the way
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds are moving from a ‘nice to have’ to an essential part of many asset managers’ suite of products. And it is all seems to be on the back of growing regulatory pressure as well as consumer demand. Ethical and...
Joshua Taylor 08 February 2019