Wealth manager St James’s Place has seen strong growth in the third quarter with net inflows up 42% from £1.66bn to £2.36bn.

The Financial Ombudsman is upholding a smaller percentage of SIPP complaints compared to last year despite the number of complaints rising.

The boom in pension transfers is set to continue with news that flexible drawdown pension transfers surged by 13.6% (£114m) in the second quarter of this year to reach £954m.

FCA data released today shows that number of complaints recorded by firms rose to 3.32 million in the first half of 2017 compared to 3.04 million in the second half of 2016.

The FCA has imposed a fine of £34.52m on Merrill Lynch International (MLI) for failing to report 68.5 million exchange traded derivative transactions between February 2014 and February 2016.

A large-scale consumer study has provided a more upbeat assessment of how the pension freedoms are working with half (49%) of retirees now finding the new phase of life “exciting.”

A Financial Planning assistant aiming to become a Chartered Financial Planner has been awarded at a financial services ceremony for having the highest exam result.

National IFA firm Foster Denovo has acquired employee benefits consultancy TEBC and plans to merge it with its own employee benefits operation.

Three-office Midlands Financial Planning firm Newell Palmer has made its largest acquisition to date with the purchase of £100m FUM Northampton-based Lane Wealth Management LLP.

The nationwide, female-focused Financial Planning firm Independent Women, part of the Succession wealth management group, is planning to expand significantly in 2018 as it celebrates 20 years in business.