Investment platform AJ Bell has reported a 15% rise in advised customers year on year, and 4% over the third quarter, in its latest trading update.

Over 4 in 10 (44%) of Financial Planning firms are considering operating a platform of their own instead of using or white-labelling a third-part platform, according to a new report.

Funds under direction (FUD) for adviser platform Transact rose 7.2% over the quarter ending 30 June.

The new issue of Financial Planning Today Magazine is out and features exclusive highlights from our annual Financial Planning Profession Survey - find out how the sector has survived, and in some cases thrived, during the pandemic.