Investment Pathways
New legislation was introduced on 1 February 2021 requiring pension providers to offer Investment Pathways to certain individuals entering or topping up drawdown arrangements.
FundsNetwork 13th Apr 2021
What is an ISA?
An Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax-efficient 'wrapper' that provides a home for a number of different types of investment. The ISA wrapper ensures investors pay no tax on income or capital g...
Adviser-Hub 6th Apr 2021
Freeze on the Standard Lifetime Allowance – points to consider
The Lifetime Allowance was expected to increase this year but it’s been announced that it is frozen until April 2026. Whilst short term this is not material, no increases for the next five tax years...
Sanlam 24th Mar 2021
Budget 2021: 5 reasons to review your clients
While the Budget didn’t yield many surprises, the freezing of tax allowances will have an impact on client. Here are five reasons why it’s a good time to review client tax planning.
Sanlam 23rd Mar 2021
End of tax year – time is ticking
Tax year end is fast approaching. Sanlam outline the important deadlines for sending applications and other top-ups to ensure your clients’ money is invested for this tax year.
Sanlam 22nd Mar 2021
Getting ready for tax year end – simple tax planning ideas
As this tax year draws to a close and we look towards a new one opening, it is time to take stock and ensure that we have utilised all the exemption and allowances permitted giving the most tax effici...
Sanlam 21st Mar 2021
Sanlam 12th Mar 2021
Taking CII pension exams next month?
With over five hours of content, broken down in snippets of eight-minute tutorials, our library of retirement technical videos can help you prepare for CII pension exams.
FundsNetwork 8th Mar 2021
Increase to the NMPA: a brief examination of the consultation paper
The Government has recently reaffirmed its intention to increase the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) from 55 to 57 from 6 April 2028. Paul Kennedy, FundsNetwork's tax expert, takes a look at some sa...
Pension contributions at tax year end – an ‘aide memoire’
Our tax and pension experts, Paul Kennedy and Paul Squirrell, take a step-by-step approach to pension contributions from the critical starting point of tax relief.
Pensions ‘in-depth’: the lifetime allowance
Paul Kennedy and Paul Squirrell, FundsNetwork’s tax and pension experts, discuss some important considerations around the initial phase of planning, on establishing the client’s individual lifetime al...
FundsNetwork 22nd Feb 2021
FundsNetwork's Pension and ISA allowances guide
FundsNetwork's client guide ‘Reap the benefits of tax efficient savings’ provides the key tax information that your clients need to make the most of their annual allowances.
FundsNetwork 9th Feb 2021
What is ESG?
How many of us think about where our money goes? Are we worried about climate change and how our money is invested?
Re-registration – are you up to speed with the FCA’s new rules?
From 1 February 2021, to facilitate more platform-to-platform switching, new FCA rules have come into force.
Tax year end – supporting you at home or from the office
FundsNetwork’s tax year end hub is live with everything you need to keep your business moving during this busy time.
FundsNetwork 26th Jan 2021
Re-registration – the new rules from February 2021
To facilitate more platform-to-platform switching, from 1 February 2021, new FCA rules will come into force. At present, in-specie transfers (re-registrations) are not always possible, commonly due to...
FundsNetwork 14th Dec 2020
Succession planning for the future generation
FundsNetwork talks to Gavin Chapman from Chase de Vere, about ways of training young advisers for the future generation, as well as attracting younger investors.
FundsNetwork 1st Dec 2020
Adviser Guide to Sustainable Investing
Sustainable investing has now moved into the mainstream and more and more clients are taking an active interest in how their money is invested. FundsNetwork’s research shows that the coronavirus crisi...
Pensions ‘in-depth’: tax relief and annual allowance
Paul Kennedy and Paul Squirrell, FundsNetwork’s tax and pension experts, take an in-depth look at the laws and mechanisms underpinning tax relief on pension contributions and matters relating to annua...
FundsNetwork 4th Nov 2020
FundsNetwork’s sustainable investing hub
FundsNetwork’s new sustainable investing hub and educational guides can help you identify suitable investments and aid client discussions to provide better client outcomes.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: keeping your business safe
With more staff going back to working remotely, fraudsters know there's an opportunity to take advantage of less secure home networks. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so why not check out th...
FundsNetwork 12th Oct 2020
CII exams are fast approaching
Get exam ready with FundsNetwork’s bitesize eight-minute tutorials. Their video library of over five hours' worth of technical content can help you prepare.
FundsNetwork 7th Oct 2020
Unlocking the financial power of women
FundsNetwork talked to Georgina Fry of Sanderson house about their latest research which found that when women take financial advice, they keep at it.
FundsNetwork 30th Sep 2020
What’s next for advice?
In partnership with AKG, we’ve sponsored a practical paper which looks at key drivers for change, likely shape of the market and to establish the main opportunities for intermediaries and manufacturer...
FundsNetwork 23rd Sep 2020
Ensuring the fair treatment of vulnerable customers
The FCA recently issued Guidance Consultation GC 20/3 setting out requirements firms must follow to protect vulnerable customers and ensure they are treated fairly.
FundsNetwork 16th Sep 2020
Protecting the investment interests of your SIPP clients
Writing SIPP business on an ‘insured’ basis rather than a ‘trust’ basis can give clients more protection and peace of mind over the longer-term.
Sanlam 15th Sep 2020
Managing your investment proposition in today’s challenging world
With so many options now available to deliver an investment proposition, which is best for both your clients and your business? And how can technology help? Lawrence Cook, Head of UK Intermediary Dist...
Sanlam 10th Sep 2020
Protect your clients' details from email hacking
With more of us working remotely and using unsecure email to communicate with colleagues, the risk of fraud increases further. To highlight how criminals can operate, FundsNetwork have detailed two fi...
FundsNetwork 9th Sep 2020
Taking the CII pension exams this October or just need a refresher?
Our library of retirement technical videos can help you prepare for CII pension exams, including a video focusing on exam technique tips.
FundsNetwork 2nd Sep 2020
Decumulation - when financial advice really counts
Sequencing risk and pound cost ravaging are just two factors which highlight the importance of financial advice for clients in decumulation. How can you plan around them?
Sanlam 1st Sep 2020
Pensions and divorce
The pension fund can be a substantial financial investment in divorce settlements. Here FundsNetwork examine the many technical aspects that should be taken into account.
FundsNetwork 19th Aug 2020
Skills of the modern financial adviser: Future proof your role and business
The financial advice landscape has changed remarkably in recent decades, specifically with regard to the regulatory framework and the tools, technology and processes used to deliver advice. However, t...
FundsNetwork 13th Aug 2020
New report: Financial power of women – Unlocking the power of advice
FundsNetwork’s latest research looks closely at the role financial advice could play in helping women to unlock their financial power. What do women want from advice and how can advisers help them to...
FundsNetwork 30th Jul 2020
Pension transfer advice: the new rules at a glance
The FCA have issued Policy Statement PS 20/6, which lays down a number of new rules in order to improve the quality of DB transfer advice. Here FundsNetwork summarise some of the key points related to...
FundsNetwork 29th Jul 2020
How the advice sector is adapting to the coronavirus crisis
FundsNetwork’s Adviser Pulse study assesses how adviser attitudes are changing as business and society adapts to the Coronavirus pandemic. It compares the latest views to those before the crisis and r...
New FundsNetwork’s advisor support package: The beneficiaries flexi-access drawdown conundrum
FundsNetwork's tax and pensions experts, Paul Kennedy and Paul Squirrell, discuss some pitfalls and issues to be considered with the payment of beneficiaries flexi-access drawdown death benefits.
FundsNetwork 1st Jul 2020
Opportunity in a crisis: COVID-19 has accelerated the move to hybrid advice
Financial advisers have historically been cautious when integrating technology into their business models.
Adviser-Hub 24th Jun 2020
FundsNetwork’s personal tax and trust planning training resources
The CII AF1 exam is just around the corner! To help you prepare, FundsNetwork have a new video training resources with industry expert Sue Cox.
FundsNetwork 18th Jun 2020
FundsNetwork’s pension LTA adviser support package
Paul Kennedy and Paul Squirrell, FundsNetwork’s tax and pension experts, discuss the pension LTA and its framework, which was recorded before the lockdown. A planning checklist highlights key consider...
FundsNetwork 14th May 2020
Working remotely?
FundsNetwork’s Fidelity colleagues in Asia have been working remotely for several months now - find out how they have been coping and how team spirit has been boosted.
FundsNetwork 23rd Apr 2020
UK bond market review: UK interest rates reach all-time low
Against the backdrop of heightened uncertainty caused by the intensifying coronavirus crisis, investors continued to lose their appetite for risk during March.
Adviser-Hub 20th Apr 2020
New: tax tables 2020/21
FundsNetwork’s 2020/21 tax tables are now available, with updated rates and thresholds for the coming year.
FundsNetwork 2nd Apr 2020
Protect your client details from email hacking
With more people working remotely at the present time, FundsNetwork have created some useful reminders on how to keep your business and client details safe from fraudsters.
Coronavirus and your clients' investments
With COVID-19 impacting global markets, your clients may be concerned about their investments. FundsNetwork’s hub brings together latest expert insight and useful material to help support your client...
5 articles to reassure your clients
During periods of market instability and uncertainty, supporting your clients is likely to be your number-one priority. And timely communication can make all the difference when easing their concerns.
Adviser-Hub 23rd Mar 2020
Budget 2020: Paul Kennedy’s response to legislation changes and future consultations
FundsNetwork’s tax expert Paul Kennedy takes a look at the latest Chancellor's Budget announcement.
FundsNetwork 18th Mar 2020
Education: retirement and pensions training
Studying for your CII pension exams? Take a look at FundsNetwork's range of 47 videos covering everything from the annual allowance to exam technique.
FundsNetwork 19th Feb 2020
PROD 3 and 4: what you need to know
As part of MiFID II, the FCA introduced the Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (PROD) rules in January 2018.
FundsNetwork 6th Feb 2020
Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR)
The FCA has extended the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) to all solo-regulated firms from 9 December 2019. All senior managers will need to be approved. Fidelity FundsNetwork discusse...
FundsNetwork 19th Dec 2019
Business challenges facing financial advisers
FundsNetwork commissioned research to find out what the biggest business challenges advisers are facing.
FundsNetwork 11th Dec 2019
Protect your business
FundsNetwork have created a checklist to help your due diligence around keeping your clients' data and assets safe.
Pension transfer advice
In our compliance section FundsNetwork provide summaries of the FCA rules and guidance on issues such as pension transfers.
FundsNetwork 10th Dec 2019
The barriers to women investing
Fidelity's state of the nation report looks at steps women are taking to build wealth and the opportunity they have to make their money work harder.
FundsNetwork 25th Nov 2019
The point of impact
Stephanie Sotiriou, senior investment manager and ethical specialist at TAM Asset Management, talks to Adviser-Hub about impact investing and how advisers should position with clients. Wh...
Adviser-Hub 20th Sep 2018
The rise of the hybrid-robos: how IFAs can future-proof their businesses
Robo-advisors are evolving into a new bionic threat. Scalable Capital has introduced human advisers and Wealthify and Nutmeg are considering it.
Various 24th Jul 2018
How IFAs can take advantage of the FCA robo review: play them at their own game
In May of this year, the FCA published its review into ‘automated investment services’ – or robo advice platforms. In part the findings amounted to a suprising rebuke of their offeri...
Various 19th Jul 2018
What are the big questions troubling business owners?
Google acts as doctor, therapist and now as management consultant as small business owners seek answers Small business owners make extensive use of the search engine to solve business problems...
Adviser-Hub 7th Jun 2018
A regulatory framework for the digital era?
Despite GDPR now a reality, many UK businesses still have their head stuck in the sand rather than face the reality. Paul Holland, CEO of cyber security innovator Beyond Encryption, considers how GDPR...
Adviser-Hub 31st May 2018
Does email marketing work?
In spite of fears that it is losing its edge, done right, email marketing still gives a good return on investment. All the standard process metrics for digital marketing - open rates, click rate...
Adviser-Hub 15th Feb 2018
'It’s not that we use technology, we live technology’
My top 5 lessons from last year Yes, we’ve all heard the warnings that advisers might be replaced by robots. But the point people miss is that technology isn’t a competitor, it’s...
Various 8th Feb 2018
GSAM: Presence in Your Absence
What Clients Say About You When You're Not There Failure to build an effective brand potentially can limit the ability to grow a successful advisory practice. As a financial advisor, how do you...
Adviser-Hub 18th Jan 2018
Why 2018 is the year to go digital
January 2018 With the new year in full swing, have you enacted your resolutions? As the world adapts to the technological revolution it is time for IFAs to digitalise their work as well – tha...
Adviser-Hub 11th Jan 2018
MiFID II: A safer, but more boring, future for advised clients
January 2018 MiFID II runs to 1.7m paragraphs and covers all aspects of trading in European financial markets. Aside from a few teething troubles in the futures markets, and a temporary delay on it...
Adviser-Hub 4th Jan 2018
The problem with contingent charging
Contingent charging is controversial. Should advisers consider another approach? The majority of advisers still use contingent charging, but does it fit with a new post-RDR world? Contingent c...
Adviser-Hub 30th Nov 2017
Do MiFID II and GDPR contradict one another?
Miles Reucroft of Intelliflo discusses whether these two legislative initiatives are in conflict There have been persistent questions on whether MiFID II and GDPR contradict one another The ar...
Adviser-Hub 2nd Nov 2017
Are financial advisers ready for GDPR?
By Miles Reucroft, Intelliflo We recently ran a survey among 270 users of our Intelligent Office practice management system to gauge the readiness of UK financial advisers for the forthcoming Gener...
Adviser-Hub 26th Oct 2017
Investing ethically: should you encourage your clients to care?
It is Good Money Week. That is the one week a year where the financial services community seeks to raise awareness about responsible investment and how it can benefit businesses and society. Mos...
Adviser-Hub 12th Oct 2017
Do people know the value of advice?
People are still making expensive mistakes with their long-term savings, but how can we get a better message out about financial advice? In the context of what is at stake, advisory fees seem re...
Adviser-Hub 5th Oct 2017
Wary women’ don’t like investments
Women are increasingly ‘wary’ of investments, finds a new piece of research from consumer finance group Boring Money. Women are increasingly ‘wary’ of investments, finds a new...
Adviser-Hub 22nd Sep 2017
The power of reputation: How can you avoid a Bell Pottinger?
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it” Benjamin Franklin Bell Pottinger has gone into administration after a racist campaign in South...
Adviser-Hub 14th Sep 2017
Workplace wellness – what works?
No-one wants a sick and feeble workforce, how can you encourage employees to look after themselves without driving them to drink? Workplace wellbeing can encourage productivity and reduce long-t...
Adviser-Hub 31st Aug 2017
The Matryoshka Principle: Methodology (Part 2)
In part two of his four part series, Karl Dines explores how the Matryoshka Principle can be implemented to help create robust methodology. Comprehensive methodology is essential to ensure a rob...
Adviser-Hub 14th Aug 2017
To trust or not to trust?
The question of how much to trust your employees is a thorny one for any employer. It’s not always easy to trust employees when your business is on the line One company has gone as...
Adviser-Hub 10th Aug 2017
Corporate buzzwords and communication
A recent survey for Glassdoor has come up with the 12 most annoying corporate buzzwords. Corporate jargon is getting worse rather than better The finance industry is guilty of excessive...
Adviser-Hub 27th Jul 2017
Red faces at the Beeb: How to ensure you pay fairly
There will be some red faces at the BBC report after the publication of top stars’ salaries. The BBC may be in turmoil today, but other corporations may come out far worse If you a...
Adviser-Hub 20th Jul 2017
The Matryoshka Principle, dolls and modelling your business (Part 1)
In part one of his four part series, Karl Dines, Head of Business Consultancy and SimplyBiz, explores how the Matryoshka Principle can be translated in the advice process to create a robust business m...
Adviser-Hub 13th Jul 2017
The role of mentoring
“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Think about what you want from a mentor and how you want the relationship to d...
May’s nightmare: How to learn from failure
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work” - Thomas A. Edison The common view of failure is that it is simply a setback on the path to achievement...
Adviser-Hub 29th Jun 2017
Bullying or strong leadership?
It’s been a bad week for bullies, following the departures of senior executives at Uber and a report into British Cycling. Bullies have been exposed in recent weeks, but in both case...
Adviser-Hub 22nd Jun 2017
Top tips for staff retention
Your staff are good and your clients like them. Recruiting new staff is expensive. So how can you make sure you keep people? Pay is not the be-all and end-all, but people need to feel they&rsquo...
Adviser-Hub 15th Jun 2017
Hiring the best
It is clear that a lot rests on the people we recruit: ‘People are our greatest assets’ has become a cliché, but within it lies a significant kernel of truth. The decisions you make...
Adviser-Hub 8th Jun 2017
Update on Equity Release qualification and permission
Towards the close of 2016, the FCA released a Consultation Paper (CP16/24) looking at the possibility of investment and pension firms without mortgage permissions being able to advise on the equity re...
Adviser-Hub 23rd May 2017
It’s good to talk
An often overlooked but nonetheless crucial determinant of a successful acquisition is a firm’s communication plans. Retiring IFA founder Stephen Hagues looks at how to get your mess...
Adviser-Hub 28th Sep 2016
Alternative thinking - Lend an ear
Daniel Kiernan, research director at Intelligent Partnership, considers whether the time is right for advisers to start using peer-to-peer lending as part of their investment proposition...
Alternative thinking - Venturing forth
The inability to purchase VCT shares in the primary market via a platform has provided a longstanding headache for advisers. However, things are looking up, and shares in VCTs can now be bought b...
Gold in them thar portfolios?
Ian Muirhead, Chairman, SIFA During periods of market uncertainty, investors often make a beeline for the perceived safety of bonds, cash, or gold – and, amid meagre returns on bonds and...
Adviser-Hub 13th Sep 2016
Are you sat comfortably on your assets?
Tom Nall, Workplace Solutions Director, SimplyBiz Group shares his insights on good practice for advisers offering workplace and employee benefits. The advent of auto-enrolment has helped to in...
Valuable feedback
[slider=business-page] Valuable feedback Getting feedback – and responding to it – is hugely important for advisers. The more feedback you receive, the better you w...
Tough Times
Bad news is never as easy to impart as good news. However, during periods of economic or stock market uncertainty, it’s even more important to communicate with your clients and ensure that they...
Managing Time
If you want to do every aspect of your job properly, you need to ensure that you manage your time effectively. Although you shouldn’t ignore minor issues – after all, they can turn into ma...
Managing Staff
When your business is growing, you need to ensure that your workforce can keep up the level and quality of service that your clients have come to expect. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have th...
Competition
Although it might seem counterintuitive to consider doing business with a competitor, there are sound reasons to consider such a strategy. Your competitors are best suited to understand what you do, a...
Communication Example
ISAs are hugely popular, and their quick and easy application process makes them a prime candidate for mailing activity. However, if you want to ensure that this process is efficient and cost-effectiv...
Communication
Effective segmentation is a powerful tool which enables you to understand your client base and tailor communication strategies in the most appropriate manner. Client segmentation enables you to inc...
Protection Review: Writing Awards Entries
Winning ways Putting together a successful award entry may be time-consuming but it can bring many benefit for a business, says Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review. Here he offe...
Website insights
Website insight With your website a great way to help clients better understand their protection needs, Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review, runs through 10 things you can put on it...
Protection Review: Unlikely Sales Aids
Another world In addition to the protection information provided by insurers, says Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review, there is another world of supplementary data. Here i...
Protection Review: Life Insurance
Life's rich pageant With life insurance one of the most commonly bought protection products in the UK, Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review, takes a look at the pros and cons...
Adviser-Hub 12th Sep 2016
Hybrid life and care protection insurance plans
A new era for protection? Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review, highlights the recent launch of a new kind of insurance product and wonders whether it represents the start o...
Protection Review
Don’t let the rabbit win That there are more rabbits covered by pet insurance in the UK than people with income protection is just one of a number of figures revealing the scale of the task...
A Successful Brand
Welcome to the 'best of' articles written for Adviser-Hub by Brett Davidson, chief executive of FP Advance. The articles include hugely valuable information and ideas that you can take and p...
Effective Business Plan
Depth of Knowledge
Generating referrals
Cherry Reynard offers a series of business briefings, looking at some of the key ways advisers can improve their business proposition, whether through generating referrals, making effective use of s...
Adviser-Hub 9th Sep 2016
Client Seminars
VAT & Financial Advice
Cherry Reynard offers a series of business briefings, looking at some of the key ways advisers can improve their business proposition, whether through generating referrals, making effective use of soc...
Developing Outsourcing
In-House, Out Of House Or Dog House
Justin Urquhart Stewart, a director and co-founder of Seven Investment Management, looks at some of the reasons why advisers may or may not consider outsourcing the investment element of their...
Achieving 'buy-in' to transition planning
Future Client Generations
Maximising Outsourcing
Networking
Income protection
Underpinning everything else ... Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review, runs through a list of the 10 things financial advisers should think about when recommending income protection t...
Industry view
Workplace pensions: Lessons from Down Under. If auto-enrolment was the hot topic of 2014 and pension freedoms the issue of 2015, 2016 seems set to be the year of the ‘good outcome&rsquo...
Offering A Fabulous Client Experience
Using claims statistics
Claims to fame Claims statistics remain integral to building confidence in protection insurance, says Kevin Carr, chief executive of Protection Review, who reckons he can still tick off 10 things...
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