Financial adviser Martin Bamford CFP^CM has developed an action group to campaign for fairer Financial Services Compensation Scheme funding.

The Co-operative Bank has launched its own online banking service for businesses managing client money.

Scottish Widows Investment Partnership is cutting 23 jobs from its equity team.

Financial advisers are expecting a surge in business from retirees as economic circumstances mean financial plans are requiring changes, according to MetLife.

Ashcourt Rowan Asset Management has appointed Toni Meadows as its chief investment officer.

Institute of Financial Planning sponsor Hornbuckle Mitchell has appointed Alex Footman as its new marketing manager.

Defaqto has forecast outsourcing is becoming an attractive proposition for advisers following research that 42 per cent of platform users already outsource their investment process.

According to the Wall St Journal, Financial Planner is the fifth best job for 2012.

Early-bird discount tickets are currently available for the Institute of Financial Planning annual conference.

The Financial Services Authority has said there is still ‘no fixed date’ for the latest platform paper, following previous delays.