FSA announces plans to 'rebuild' investors' trust and confidence
18/12/2009
by Andy Davies
Investment advisers will need to meet enhanced standards of professionalism under new proposals by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), as it plans to "rebuild people's trust and confidence" in the investment market.
Under the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), the FSA is proposing to create a new "in-house governance structure" by ensuring advisers achieve new, higher level qualifications, as well as adhering to common ethical standards and meeting enhanced standards of continuing professional development.
By the end of 2012 the FSA states that advisers, whether independent or restricted, will need to demonstrate greater knowledge and skills, and meet enhanced standards in dealing with clients.
At the same time, the FSA is also asking professional bodies that are registered with and overseen by the FSA, to play a greater role in helping their members meet the proposed professionalism requirements.
Commenting, Sheila Nicoll, director of conduct policy at the FSA said: "Raising professional standards is a core strand of our reforms of the retail investment market. Through this, people will come to expect the same level of professionalism from investment advisers as they do from other professions.
"We will closely supervise the necessary improvement in standards that we are seeking to bring about which, along with the other aspects of the RDR, will come into force from the beginning of 2013.
"We have always said that the RDR's proposals are an opportunity for firms to modernise their practices and to put the interests of their customers first."
Welcoming the proposals, the Investment Management Association (IMA) is now calling on the FSA to make consumers aware of the proposed improvements to investment advice.
Victoria Nye, director of education and training at the IMA said: "The next step is to ensure that the investing public is aware of the framework and appreciate that it has their interests at heart.
"In the absence of an Independent Professional Standards Board, the FSA, with the professional bodies, must focus on communicating the positive impact of the changes to consumers so as to facilitate their decision to use a professional adviser."
© Fair Investment Company Ltd
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Collective investments
- Collective investments such as unit trusts are designed as medium to long term investments, for example at least five years.
- The value of your investment and the level of any income received from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount of your original investment.
- Any income yield quoted is correct at the time of going to press. Income yields vary and are only estimates. The actual dividend income that you receive will depend upon the income payable by the underlying assets of the fund and could change, either up or down, at any time. Dividend income from an ISA will, under current legislation, be free of UK income tax. Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
- If you choose a fund which invests overseas, there is the addition of “exchange rate” risk which could reduce any gains or increase losses if the currency moves against you.
- Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
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- Structured Products are fixed term investments and are designed so that your capital remains invested for the full term of the plan. Although it may be possible to encash your investment before the end of the term, this could mean that an early encashment charge is applied and you may not get back the full amount of your capital.
- An investment termed as a “capital guaranteed structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is not dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument
- An investment termed as a “capital at risk structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument.
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- The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.
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Disclaimer (Please Read)
General risk warnings
- The list of funds/investments provided above should not be seen in any way as being a recommendation. No advice has been given and you should be aware that any investment which takes place will be transacted on a “non-advised sale” basis.
- Full details of the investments will be provided in the documentation/brochure sent to you and it is up to you to ensure that you fully understand the nature of the investment before proceeding. If you are at all unsure of the suitability of the type of investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.
Collective investments
- Collective investments such as unit trusts are designed as medium to long term investments, for example at least five years.
- The value of your investment and the level of any income received from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount of your original investment.
- Any income yield quoted is correct at the time of going to press. Income yields vary and are only estimates. The actual dividend income that you receive will depend upon the income payable by the underlying assets of the fund and could change, either up or down, at any time. Dividend income from an ISA will, under current legislation, be free of UK income tax. Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
- If you choose a fund which invests overseas, there is the addition of “exchange rate” risk which could reduce any gains or increase losses if the currency moves against you.
- Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
Structured Products
- Structured Products are fixed term investments and are designed so that your capital remains invested for the full term of the plan. Although it may be possible to encash your investment before the end of the term, this could mean that an early encashment charge is applied and you may not get back the full amount of your capital.
- An investment termed as a “capital guaranteed structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is not dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument
- An investment termed as a “capital at risk structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument.
Specific ISA warnings
- The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.
- Dividend income from a stocks and shares ISA will, under current legislation, be free of further liability to UK income tax whether this is paid out or automatically reinvested.
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| Aberdeen Emerging Markets Fund | | From £50 per month | |
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| Jupiter Ecology Fund | | From £50 Per Month | |
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With over 7,000 quoted companies in India there are many opportunities for the patient investor to buy high growth businesses at attractive prices. Save up to 90% off initial charges.
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Disclaimer (Please Read)
General risk warnings
- The list of funds/investments provided above should not be seen in any way as being a recommendation. No advice has been given and you should be aware that any investment which takes place will be transacted on a “non-advised sale” basis.
- Full details of the investments will be provided in the documentation/brochure sent to you and it is up to you to ensure that you fully understand the nature of the investment before proceeding. If you are at all unsure of the suitability of the type of investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.
Collective investments
- Collective investments such as unit trusts are designed as medium to long term investments, for example at least five years.
- The value of your investment and the level of any income received from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount of your original investment.
- Any income yield quoted is correct at the time of going to press. Income yields vary and are only estimates. The actual dividend income that you receive will depend upon the income payable by the underlying assets of the fund and could change, either up or down, at any time. Dividend income from an ISA will, under current legislation, be free of UK income tax. Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
- If you choose a fund which invests overseas, there is the addition of “exchange rate” risk which could reduce any gains or increase losses if the currency moves against you.
- Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
Structured Products
- Structured Products are fixed term investments and are designed so that your capital remains invested for the full term of the plan. Although it may be possible to encash your investment before the end of the term, this could mean that an early encashment charge is applied and you may not get back the full amount of your capital.
- An investment termed as a “capital guaranteed structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is not dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument
- An investment termed as a “capital at risk structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument.
Specific ISA warnings
- The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.
- Dividend income from a stocks and shares ISA will, under current legislation, be free of further liability to UK income tax whether this is paid out or automatically reinvested.
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Disclaimer (Please Read)
General risk warnings
- The list of funds/investments provided above should not be seen in any way as being a recommendation. No advice has been given and you should be aware that any investment which takes place will be transacted on a “non-advised sale” basis.
- Full details of the investments will be provided in the documentation/brochure sent to you and it is up to you to ensure that you fully understand the nature of the investment before proceeding. If you are at all unsure of the suitability of the type of investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.
Collective investments
- Collective investments such as unit trusts are designed as medium to long term investments, for example at least five years.
- The value of your investment and the level of any income received from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount of your original investment.
- Any income yield quoted is correct at the time of going to press. Income yields vary and are only estimates. The actual dividend income that you receive will depend upon the income payable by the underlying assets of the fund and could change, either up or down, at any time. Dividend income from an ISA will, under current legislation, be free of UK income tax. Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
- If you choose a fund which invests overseas, there is the addition of “exchange rate” risk which could reduce any gains or increase losses if the currency moves against you.
- Dividend income paid from a fund not held within an ISA will be subject to income tax, which may or may not be reclaimable depending upon your circumstances and the type of investment. In some cases, there may be additional income tax to pay.
Structured Products
- Structured Products are fixed term investments and are designed so that your capital remains invested for the full term of the plan. Although it may be possible to encash your investment before the end of the term, this could mean that an early encashment charge is applied and you may not get back the full amount of your capital.
- An investment termed as a “capital guaranteed structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is not dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument
- An investment termed as a “capital at risk structured product” is one where the return of your capital at maturity is dependent upon the performance of an index or another financial instrument.
Specific ISA warnings
- The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.
- Dividend income from a stocks and shares ISA will, under current legislation, be free of further liability to UK income tax whether this is paid out or automatically reinvested.
Hide Disclaimer