The investment intermediary sector is in line for more payments to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme after it increased its annual levy to £265m.

The Financial Services Authority has published new guidance today which may mean advisers will be less able to recommend a pension transfer.

AXA Wealth has teamed up with Brooks Macdonald to offer its portfolio service through the AXA Elevate platform.

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.