Regulation

The UK's Serious Fraud Office has revealed it is investigating payments between Barclays and Qatar Holding during the credit crisis, in yet another blow to the bank.

The government should reconsider its decision not to adopt Vickers report proposals on derivatives and questions now need to be asked over a full split between retail and investment banking, according to the IMA.

Threadneedle is to roll out a range of commission-free share classes across the majority of its fund range, and waive initial charges for advised UK retail investors, as it makes its proposition ready for the post-RDR world.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has begun a new phase of its review into wealth management, focusing on client outcomes.

Financial services firms have warned the cost of complying with regulations after the FSA is split next year could rise by 20%, according to a survey by consulting firm Protiviti.

Advisers are finding the rules around the disclosure of charges and services as the most challenging aspect of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), a survey has suggested.

HSBC is in talks to settle with US regulators over a money laundering investigation, but increased regulatory scrutiny has led to S&P cutting the bank's credit rating.

The successor to Mervyn King will have an "unduly powerful role" thanks to Treasury plans to extend the powers available to the Bank of England (BoE), one of the bank's advisers has warned.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) believes its proposed rules on the promotion and sales of unregulated collective investment schemes (UCIS) could lead to a reduction in Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) costs for advisers.

Aberdeen Asset Management has unveiled unbundled share classes across its fund range in preparation for the onset of Retail Distribution Review (RDR) next year.