Latest by Rachael Healey
Equity Release Market Under the Spotlight
Yesterday the FCA published its key findings from exploratory work involving "later life lending". This type of lending is broadly where consumers 55 and over use borrowing to access cash in later life. One of those options is equity release which was the focus of the FCA's work. The FCA's focus on equity release appears to have resulted from an initial review of the broader later life lending market, at which time the FCA identified some "poor outcomes" in equity release sales.
Read moreFCA advice checker – FCA statement on what customers should look out for in DB transfer advice
Wrapping up the documents published by the FCA on 5 June 2020 on the issue of defined benefit pension transfers (DB transfers), we address in this blog the FCA's "advice checker".
Read moreThe future of DB transfer advice - the FCA's policy statement
In part 3 of our blog series on defined benefit pension transfers (DB transfers) we look at the FCA's policy statement on changes to the DB transfer rules. The change that has attracted most press attention is the ban on contingent charging but there are other parts to the policy statement that are likely to have a much more substantive impact on the DB transfer market going forward.
Read moreDB Transfers – the FCA's views on good and bad practice
Continuing our blog series, one of the documents produced by the FCA on Friday was a guidance consultation document intended to meet requests from the industry to help advisers understand the FCA's expectations when advising on pension transfers and conversions. The document includes examples of the FCA's views of good and bad practice in the area of defined benefit pension transfers (DB transfers). The stated aim is to "improve the suitability of DB transfer advice" and "to give advisers confidence to give good advice". The FCA expects firms providing DB transfer advice to read the document and once finalised it is intended that firms use it to identify any weaknesses in their existing processes.
Read moreDB transfers – further findings from the FCA's supervisory review
The FCA produced four documents on Friday addressing defined benefit pension transfers – an update on their supervisory work, a guidance consultation setting out examples of good and bad practice, an "advice checker" for consumers (including helping them consider if they should make a complaint) and a policy statement setting out changes to the defined benefit pension transfer rules which are to largely come into force from 1 October 2020. All are essential reading for an area the FCA continues to fixate on and where it has focussed since the April 2015 pension freedoms.
Read moreAdams v Carey – the judgment – over 2 years in the making, where does it leave the SIPP market
More than two years since the trial in March 2018, the High Court has dismissed the claim against Carey Pensions on all counts. The landmark case is sure to have far reaching ramifications for the SIPP industry and beyond.
Read moreSIPP and SSAS providers face further test following in-specie ruling in favour of HMRC
The Upper Tier Tribunal has overturned a decision of the First Tier Tribunal and found in favour of HMRC in a case that is likely to place further pressure on the SIPP and SSAS markets.
Read moreFOS complaints and hindsight – categorical statement from the Chief Ombudsman
The FCA has been producing a range of temporary measures with the aim of ensuring that firms can work at pace during the pandemic for the benefit of customers. However, where procedures are bypassed or corners cut what will FOS do in response? The response from FOS to that questions raises another – the use of hindsight when coming to its decisions.
Read moreFRC - The Final Curtain Call
The FRC has released its draft budget plan and budget for 2020/21.
Read moreA new issue for SIPP providers?
Self invested personal pension providers are facing a new type of complaint brought in relation to investments made via investment managers – is this a potential area of risk for SIPPs or is this taking their obligations one step too far?
Read moreTrustees of defined benefit schemes – are they on the hook for pension transfers? Yes says the Pension Ombudsman
The Pension Ombudsman has upheld a complaint against the trustees of a defined benefit scheme for failing to warn of the risks of a transfer to a pension liberation scheme. The Pension Ombudsman found that had the trustees provided documentation recommended under guidance from the Pension Regulator and identified and warned the member of certain hallmarks of a pension liberation scheme, the member would not have transferred his pension. The Pension Ombudsman has directed the trustees to reinstate the complainant's pension in the defined benefit scheme and pay £1,000 in distress and inconvenience.
Read moreThe future of SIPPs – FCA responds to the Work and Pensions Committee
A couple of weeks ago we reported on 5 pointed questions raised by the Work and Pensions Committee of the FCA in relation to the SIPP market. Those questions included whether or not the FCA was considering banning non-standard investments in SIPPs. The FCA has now responded. The response includes the FCA's views on the due diligence it expects of SIPP providers when it comes to non-standard investments.
Read moreSIPPs – the work and pensions committee asks some pointed questions of the FCA
The Work and Pensions Committee has sent a letter to the FCA following its review of defined benefit pension transfers raising 5 pointed questions in relation to SIPPs.
Read moreChanges on the horizon - FCA consults on non-workplace pensions
The FCA has issued a discussion paper targeted at the non-workplace pension market. The paper marks the start of the FCA's work looking at whether there is harm in the non-workplace pension market and to better understand the potential presence, nature, extent and cause of any harm.
Read moreTax avoidance schemes and the duty to warn
In a useful judgment summarising when a duty to warn arises, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s decision and raised doubts over the applicable test when considering whether or not financial advisers have been negligent in advising on the risks associated with investments.
Read moreUnauthorised introducers, the Pension Ombudsman and SSASs
The Pension Ombudsman has rejected a complaint against a SSAS provider in relation to investments in carbon credit investments made on the instigation of an unauthorised introducer. In contrast to FOS decisions we have seen, the Pension Ombudsman appeared to put the onus and risk on the consumer for engaging with an unauthorised introducer.
Read moreDB Transfers - now what?
We know that the FCA is looking closely at defined benefit transfers; we already have the FCA's review of redress methodology and the defined benefit transfer rules. We now have the results of the FCA's review, into defined benefit transfers and it makes for uncomfortable reading for the financial services industry.
Read moreNo duty of care owed when conducting a redress procedure
The Court of Appeal has found that banks did not owe a duty of care when conducting a past business review (PBR) of previous sales of interest rate hedging products. Although the decision is in the context of the review procedure agreed between the FCA and banks, the decision is likely to apply to all PBRs, except formal 'consumer redress schemes' under s404 FSMA.
Read moreFCA's review into non-advised retirement product sales
The FCA has published its retirement outcomes review interim report. The report forms part of the FCA's assessment of the impact of the pension freedoms on the pension market and consumer behaviour. Although the focus of the report is non-advised sales it provides a useful insight for all those involved in the pensions market in relation to (1) customer behaviour post the introduction of the pension freedoms and (2) how the pension market is responding to those reforms. The report also puts forward some proposed "remedies" in relation to areas where the FCA considers behaviour may be detrimentally impacting customers. The remedies include permitting customers to access part of their pension at an earlier date in what appears to be an attempt by the FCA to steer customers away from drawdown products.
Read moreComplaints against insolvency practitioners hold steady
The insolvency service has published the latest figures for complaints against insolvency practitioners made to the Complaints Gateway during 2016. The statistics indicate that the Gateway has received a reasonably steady level of complaints since it was established in 2013 but promisingly for practitioners the Gateway does appear to be weeding out more complaints with the Gateway having rejected 29% of complaints in 2016, compared to 18% in the Gateway's first year.
Read moreIn-specie pension contributions - what's the fuss all about?
SIPP and SSAS providers and members continue to be left in limbo over potential tax charges arising from in-specie contributions. HMRC has suspended tax relief on contributions whilst it investigates the position, leaving providers and members without tax relief and the risk of tax assessments back to 2009.
Read moreThe importance of retainer letters
Court strikes out claim that an adviser owed a duty to point out a claim against a former adviser
Read moreEnhanced annuity non-advised sales – not as bad as first feared?
The FCA's thematic review into non-advised enhanced annuity sales found no evidence of an industry wide or systemic failure to provide customers with information about enhanced annuities or the open market option. There will not be a general industry wide remedial action.
Read moreIt doesn't rain it pours… New capital adequacy rules for SIPP firms introduced from 1 September
SIPPs are never far from the headlines at the moment. The most recent issue for SIPP firms to deal with are the new capital adequacy requirements. The effect of the new rules is to place an increased capital burden on SIPP firms holding so-called "non-standard assets".
Read morePensions freedoms where are we now?
On 14 July 2016 the Financial Conduct Authority published three releases relating to pension freedoms. The releases provide an insight into the FCA's areas of concern following the introduction of the pension freedoms in April 2015.
Read morePension Ombudsman, SIPPs and the uncertainty
SIPP trustees and administrators don't have to consider suitability, the Pension Ombudsman has found in a recent complaint.
Read morePanama Papers – what does the leak mean for professional advisers?
The headlines have been full of stories about the so-called Panama Papers since their release 10 days ago.
Read moreUnder-settlements – what factors does the Court take into account
In Dunhill v W Brook and Co and Crossley a damages claim was brought against solicitors and counsel for under-settling a personal injury claim.
Read moreStandstills, FOS and time limits
FOS applies its own time limits when considering complaints.
Read moreResolving mistakes in trust deeds and wills – a new, cheaper and quicker approach?
Claims are often made against professionals arising out of errors in trust deeds and wills.
Read moreStandstills – direct, indirect, connected to, arising out of – has time been stopped?
Defendants are often invited to enter into Standstill Agreements, stopping time for limitation purposes.
Read moreDelegation of regulated activities – warning from the FCA
Adviser firms delegating regulated activities to unregulated third parties have been removed from the FCA's Christmas card list following a notice issued this week.
Read moreLimiting your retainer – success before the Court of Appeal for divorce lawyers
Divorce settlements have attracted a number of professional negligence claims recently.
Read moreThe Pensions Freedoms and FOS – trends in complaints and enquiries
FOS has published a response to the Treasury's consultation paper looking at early exit penalties, the transfer process and communications with consumers in relation to financial advice on pensions.
Read moreSection 14A revisited – how much does a claimant need to know?
The Court of Appeal has looked at whether or not a claimant had sufficient knowledge under Section 14A when it was told that a firm had been negligent but not told that any damage may result.
Read morePension freedoms guidance & advice - Parliament wades in
The Work & Pensions Committee, following a call for evidence in early September, has published a report considering the first six months of the new pension freedoms.
Read moreThe responsibilities of SIPP administrators and trustees for investments – where are we now?
The Pensions Ombudsman has published a decision rejecting a complaint made against a SIPP administrator in relation to the suitability of investments held within a SIPP.
Read morePension freedoms - the 5 month report card
As children head back to school, what would the pension freedoms' report card look like 5 months in from the April reforms?
Read moreTransfers, exit fees and financial advice - what next for the pension freedoms?
What do exit charges, the pension transfer process and financial advice all have in common?
Read morePension Transfers – seeing the wood for the trees – Part 2
This is the second of two blogs addressing the issues raised in the FCA's paper on the changes to the pension transfer regulations.
Read morePension Transfers – seeing the wood for the trees – Part 1
The FCA has published changes to its regulations affecting advice on pension transfers.
Read moreSpot the Difference? Uncertainty continues for SIPP administrators and trustees in the wake of the Berkeley Burke decision
Please see our latest legal alert following the recent Pensions Ombudsman decision on the duties of SIPP Trustees when it comes to SIPP investments.
Read morePensions, pensions, and yet more pensions in the FCA's Business Plan
The FCA has published its Business Plan for 2015/2016.
Read morePensions Freedoms and the Second Line of Defence – some flesh on the bone
In late January the FCA issued a Dear CEO letter to pension providers, proposing new protections to be provided to consumers seeking to access their pension pot when the new pension freedoms are introduced from 6 April 2015.
Read moreThe Insolvency Service Complaints Gateway – first year report card
In June 2013 the Complaints Gateway was established to provide a single entry point for regulatory complaints against insolvency practitioners.
Read morePre-packs – improving a bad reputation?
Pre-packs involve the pre-determined sale of a business before it enters administration, allowing a sale within days of an administrator's appointment.
Read moreAnnuities – what next for providers and advisers?
The FCA has published its of Thematic Review of Annuities having conducted a substantive review of the annuity market.
Read moreWhen is a solicitor acting as a solicitor?
The High Court has recently given some guidance on whether, when operating its client account, a firm is acting in its capacity as a solicitor.
Read moreTax avoidance – the beginning of the end?
Last week HMRC published a consultation document entitled "Raising the stakes and tax avoidance".
Read moreWhat a difference a week makes
This week has seen a number of unwanted early Christmas presents for the IFA industry.
Read more