FOS backs adviser over client 'bullying' complaint

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has ruled a financial adviser did not pressurise an investor to buy 600 company shares after listening to recordings of their conversations.

The complainant had suggested the Hargreave Hale adviser pressurised her in May 2013 to buy the unnamed stock at a time, volume and price she would not normally consider. However, after listening to call recordings, the ombudsman said the adviser did not at any point adopt a bullying style, properly checked her attitude to risk and circumstances, and regularly prompted the investor on whether or not she wanted to proceed. Hargreave Hale's main business line is stockbroking, but investors can receive regulated advice on the suitability of particular trades at a given time, on agreement...