UK

The news the government and the FCA are to launch a major review into consumer access to financial advice has been widely welcomed.

The growth of financial services technology - 'fintech' - has changed the advice process irreversibly, but where does it leave the adviser?

Fund managers and economists have reacted to the surprise news that only one MPC member voted for a rate rise this month, saying the UK economy is 'not out of the woods yet'.

Aviva Investors has posted "inadequate profits" once again in the first half of 2015, down 22% from the figure for the same period last year, despite a slowdown in outflows.

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has seen a 12% jump in assets under management, boosted by the expansion of its international business in the first half of the year, despite a fall in advisory assets.

It seems like Martin Wheatley's leaving present to the industry is an attempt to tackle the cash deposit market and easier transfers of cash ISAs.

Shares in Standard Life fell 3% in early morning trading as half yearly results revealed a drop in annuities sales had hit the Edinburgh-based group's profits.

Don't blame the dividend

Fund managers have been clamouring to add banks, including RBS and Lloyds, to their portfolios ahead of a rate rise from the Bank of England.

Henderson Global Investors has seen another period of record net inflows of £5.6bn during the first half of the year to 30 June, bringing the total assets under management for the group to £82.1bn.