Two members of the The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee rebelled against the move to keep the Bank Rate at 0.25%, it emerged today.

The Financial Conduct Authority last month identified a number of pension areas where ‘intervention’ may be necessary following the introduction of the pension freedoms in April 2015.

One of the founders of NextGen Planners has told Financial Planning Today that it was built to shake up the sector and ‘flip it on its head’.

A boutique wealth management firm run by a Chartered Financial Planner has gone on a hiring spree with a triple appointment.

The definition of a Paraplanner and whether there should be a new standard for Paraplanning has been a hotly debated subject for some while.

Surrey-based Chartered Financial Planning firm Informed Choice has integrated with Amazon Alexa, the voice control technology system, and believes it is the first Financial Planner to deliver a daily audio ‘Flash Briefing’ to users.

Fund research company RSMR has added propositions from Brewin Dolphin and Quilter Cheviot to its list of rated Discretionary Fund Managers (DFMs).

Chartered Financial Planning firm Lloyd & Co has selected PortfolioMetrix as its investment management partner and plans to utilise the full range of investment tools offered by the firm.

Two of the world’s leading client risk assessment software providers – PlanPlus of Toronto and Finamentrica of Australia - are to merge from this month.

The merged business is called PlanPlus Global but the PlanPlus and FinaMetrica brands will continue to offer their products on a stand-alone basis. Finametrica is widely used by UK Financial Planners and was co-founded Paul Resnik, a well known figure in the UK.

PlanPlus is known for its multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction financial and investment planning software and FinaMetrica for its personal financial risk tolerance measurement tools. The joint business says the merger means that PlanPlus Global can offer an integrated solution around evidence-based investment suitability to banks, investment managers and financial advice enterprises.

PlanPlus founder and CEO, Shawn Brayman said: “Our products range from the world's most respected psychometric risk tolerance profiler to a goal-based robo adviser to comprehensive Financial Planning, all in several languages with more than 12,000 users in dozens of countries.”

The two firms say they have collaborated for over a decade, sharing a belief that customers and providers benefit when rigorous academic research underpins financial advice processes.

FinaMetrica co-founder Paul Resnik said: “The strategic match between FinaMetrica and PlanPlus is extraordinary. Our products complement each other and we share a common commitment to delivering financial systems that prioritize client’s best interests.

“Meanwhile, we both have global businesses serving the corporate market and individual advisors. The merger comes at just the right time for us to meet the market’s demands for an affordable, scalable and defensible advice solution that can be applied internationally across platforms, channels and borders.”

The merged business serves customers in more than 30 countries with significant presences in Canada, US, UK and Australia and substantial user bases in India, Germany, South Africa and Malaysia. PlanPlus Global has staff, offices and representatives in all major time zones.

FinaMetrica co-founder Geoff Davey will exit the business after his retirement from executive roles in 2015.

Paul Resnik said “FinaMetrica’s world leading reputation in financial risk tolerance is largely the result of Geoff’s insight, intellectual rigour and hard work. We thank him and wish him a long and happy retirement.”

Sanlam UK has recruited an ex-Close Brothers Asset Management head of private client, Penny Lovell, to launch its new Private Office business which is aimed at HNW clients.