FSA advises on status of investor and IFA links

depolarisation

Rules governing the ability of product providers to invest in intermediaries have been strengthene...

Rules governing the ability of product providers to invest in intermediaries have been strengthened as part of depolarisation. The original proposals were that providers could only invest in whole-of-market intermediaries if it was on commercial arm's length terms similar to that offered to any potential investor. This has now been extended to all intermediaries on the basis, even if they offer advice on a limited range of products, they are required to provide impartial advice across that selection. Perhaps the most aggressive purchaser of adviser firms in recent years, Aegon is to cha...