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Another Dear CEO Platform letter, but what does it mean for advisers?

The FCA have concerns - do you?

On 28 September, investment platforms received a “Dear CEO” letter, following previous letters in February 2020 and July 2021. It was addressed to platforms, but what does it mean for advisers? The FCA uses Dear CEO letters to raise awareness and highlight areas of concern around regulatory compliance and industry practices. This letter raised concerns

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IFAs must sharpen provider due diligence under FCA Consumer Duty

(1st published by Citywire New Model Adviser on 10 Feb, 2022 at: https://citywire.com/new-model-adviser/news/ifas-must-sharpen-provider-checks-under-fca-consumer-duty/a237915) Due diligence involves not just looking at the product or service, but also examining the provider and thinking about the risks the FCA has identified. Advisers often call us for help, asking what the FCA actually expects in terms of research and due

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Exams are coming!

Listen up class here are the subjects that will come up in your mocks’ is how the latest Dear CEO letter to IFA firms should be read. No precise detail but enough to get ready.   As background the FCA is seeing an increasing number of cases where the actions of firms are resulting in

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“Research” -v- “due diligence” – What’s the difference?

We often hear about the need to undertake research and due diligence on the products and services recommended to clients, but what does that mean in practice? Specifically, is undertaking research the same as due diligence, or are the two different? And this is an important question, because there is confusion in the market about

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IFAs must remember difference between due diligence & research

As the FCA’s suitability work continues, Chris Jones reminds advisers of their obligations to inform themselves and make informed recommendations You will often hear about the need to undertake research and due diligence on the products and services you recommend to clients, but what does that mean in practice? Specifically, is undertaking research the same

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