advice

The day has arrived when I reveal my true opinion of the IFA market, and having worked in this arena now for the best part of nine years there's certainly been a lot of change.

Asking a client what they would do if they knew the date of their death could soon form part of an advisers' fact-find interview, according to IFA firm Lighthouse Group.

The Financial Services Authority has issued a warning to advisers over the suitability of advice given to clients to transfer into self-invested personal pensions.

The decision not to allow transfers in and out of personal accounts could lead to employees being trapped in "high charging, poor value personal pensions", warns the Trades Union Congress.

Independent financial advice is an "essential step" for pension trustees when negotiating deficit recovery plans, or in the event of acquisitions or disposals by a sponsoring employer, says Paul Thornton.

Last month we held our 4th annual awards bash, which as always means an informal gathering of many of the great and the good from the protection industry for most of the day - and most of the night too for some!

An IFA is calling on other intermediaries to lobby their MPs and push for the regulation of the commercial mortgage advice market.

I wonder how open advisers are leaving themselves with problems by mixing up non-regulated sales and non-regulated advice.

The cost of including good financial advice in personal accounts would be offset by an improvement in investment returns, claims Skandia.

Debt problems have increased by 15% in January, compared to a year ago, while 66% of people taking out consolidation loans use them as a "licence to go spending again".