The first Institute of Financial Planning “Only Way is Ethics” conference was held yesterday, attracting nearly 60 attendees.

Consumer confidence grew dramatically in March to reach a nine-month high, according to Nationwide.

Some 87 per cent of advisers are in favour of a campaign raising consumer awareness of RDR, according to Cofunds.

Campaigning Financial Planner Martin Bamford CFP^CM was delighted yesterday as 1,421 people signed his petition for a fairer Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Firms were doubtful about the accuracy of the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics stating Britain is in a recession.

Britain has entered recession again today after the Office for National Statistics revealed GDP shrank by 0.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2012.

Aviva has found that 77 per cent of advisers intend to remain independent post-RDR.

Financial Planner Sylvia Bentham CFP^CM believes expenditure questionnaires are key to delivering a good financial plan.

Standard Life has reported an increase in platform assets to £12.6bn for the first quarter of 2012, according to its interim statement today. The figure is up 26 per cent from £10bn in 2011.

The Financial Services Authority has written to over 75,000 people warning them they may be at risk of investment scams.