FCA: Share class negotiations are sign of 'really healthy competition'

The Financial Conduct Authority's head of asset management has given his stamp of approval to the current round of negotiations between asset managers and platforms, saying it is a good sign for industry pricing.

Speaking at the FCA's asset management conference, Ed Harley, head of the regulator's asset management department, said the RDR had sparked a "really intense focus" on price. The need for unbundled pricing has seen a string of platforms demand preferential terms from asset managers as they attempt to position for a rebate-free era. Standard Life was the first to reveal the names of groups which have offered it super clean share classes, with Hargreaves Lansdown set to follow suit in the coming weeks. Though some have questioned whether prices will be materially different for the en...