The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has expressed concerns about the use of distribution deals to circumvent rules banning the payment of commission.
IFAs have welcomed Scottish Widows' plan to re-enter the IFA annuity market as a move they said will boost competition in the sector.
Adrian Gaspar, senior consultant at Defaqto, on how to run due diligence across risk rated and multi-manager funds
Pointon York has signed distribution deals with platforms, networks and intermediaries after reporting a loss for 2011.
An oft-cited reason for selecting a distributor influenced fund (DIF) over an independent vehicle - that it can mitigate clients' capital gains tax (CGT) liabilities - is not a strong enough standalone reason for recommending it, the FSA has said.
- What client segment or segments will you serve? HNWIs, mass affluent or the mass market?
Steve Lewis, founder of Retirement Partnership, has been hired by LV= as head of distribution for retirement products.
While protection is a healthy business, advisers can expect an "exponential" growth in competion from internet aggregator sites an industry consultant has said.
In the first of a series examining worldwide developments in products, distribution and initiatives, Greg Becker begins by looking at India