Angry advisers demand FSCS justify 'opaque' decision making

Laura Miller
clock

The FSCS is facing angry calls from both IFAs and investors to make its decision-making process more transparent, after two controversial judgments involving Lifemark-backed Keydata bonds and Lehman Brothers-backed NDF products.

At present, the FSCS must determine which activities have caused investor losses and then assign compensation costs. It has no express duty to consult on how it reaches these decisions or the levy amount. In the Keydata case, law firm Regulatory Legal, acting for IFAs, called the FSCS decision to class the failed investment firm as an ‘intermediary’ for levy purposes “absurd”, during a judicial review. At the hearing at Birmingham High Court last week, it also accused the FSCS of failing to listen adequately to industry calls to re-examine its stance during a consultation. Now a se...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Committee warns of Treasury 'passivity' on financial stability private markets risks

Committee warns of Treasury 'passivity' on financial stability private markets risks

Concerns around gap in policymakers' evidence

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 12 January 2026 • 2 min read
Darius McDermott: The lessons from 2025 and opportunities ahead

Darius McDermott: The lessons from 2025 and opportunities ahead

'2025 has been a salutary lesson in the difficulty of timing markets'

Darius McDermott
clock 07 January 2026 • 5 min read
Trump, Modi and US-India trade tensions – who cares?

Trump, Modi and US-India trade tensions – who cares?

A bottom-up approach to finding hidden gems

Gabriel Sacks
clock 02 January 2026 • 4 min read