Nearly three in 10 Financial Planners (28%) surveyed in an exclusive poll for Financial Planning Today say they have cut the number of clients they serve as a result of the Consumer Duty.

International wealth manager, Financial Planner and professional services firm Azets has acquired Scottish Financial Planner and chartered accountancy firm Milne Craig in a major deal for the financial services sector north of the border.

Discretionary wealth manager Quilter Cheviot has lowered the charges for clients invested in its managed portfolio service (MPS) via its own nominee arrangements.

Wealth manager and Financial Planner Evelyn Partners has added two new funds to its Sustainable MPS in its latest rebalance.

Tweed Wealth Management has acquired Glasgow-based Capital Wealth Consultants (CWC) as it expands into western Scotland.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has declared BSPS-linked adviser firm Mark Peter Houlbrook (FRN: 498168) in default over pension transfer advice, opening the door to compensation for ex-clients with valid claims.

New quarterly data today from the Financial Ombudsman Service has revealed a 70% jump in financial complaints, with nearly half of all complaints from professional representatives including claims management companies (CMCs).

The number of defined benefit pension transfers in July surged to the highest level since August 2023.

An increasing number of families are being caught out by unexpected inheritance tax bills on gifts made less than seven years before death.

The Financial Conduct Authority said today it will launch a market study of the ‘pure protection’ market including term assurance products and critical illness cover.