The Financial Conduct Authority has banned Steven Hodgson and Paul Adams of Stockton-on-Tees-based Vintage Investment Services from advising customers on pension transfers and opt-outs.
Small self-administered schemes (SSASs) turned 50 last year and it is fair to say that their popularity and endorsement has been mixed over that period.
The FSCS has declared pension transfer adviser Portal Financial Services LLP (FRN501272) as failed after the firm went into compulsory liquidation following a string of complaints.
Two thirds of advisers say that up to 50% of their business is now from clients in pension drawdown, according to a new survey.
Platform and SIPP provider AJ Bell has revealed the top 20 most popular funds and investment companies with advisers using its Investcentre platform.
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.
Total platform customers grew 32% year on year, and 6% in the quarter, as direct to consumer customers rose 42% (8% in the quarter). The platform now has 353,299 customers, of which just over a third (122,757) are advised.
Total platform net inflows increased by 40% over the prior year to £2.1bn, with just over half (£1.1.bn) being advised (a 57% growth year on year in advised net inflows).
Platform assets under administration closed the quarter at £63.1bn, a 32% rise year on year and a 9% rise in the quarter.
Assets under management at the platforms investment management business, AJ Bell Investments, increased 186% year on year and 43% over the quarter to £2bn. Total net inflows in the quarter were £524 million, including a one-off inflow of £253m.
Andy Bell, CEO at AJ Bell, said: “In the advised market, third quarter platform inflows were up 57% compared to the prior year. The introduction of simplified pension options is proving particularly popular with advisers as it provides them with different price points and flexible investment options to cater for a diverse range of client needs.
“We also continue to see strong demand for our in-house investment solutions. There is growing awareness amongst financial advisers of the value and performance that our managed portfolio service is delivering to their clients and our multi-asset funds continue to prove popular with advisers and retail customers alike.
“As we head into the final quarter of our financial year, we remain focused on providing an excellent service to our customers and continuing to support our people as we navigate the current wave of the pandemic. Looking further ahead, the structural growth drivers for our sector remain strong and we are well placed to deliver further growth across our platform.”
Hymans Robertson Investment Services has launched a discretionary model portfolio service in a move which sees it partnering with UK financial advisers directly for the first time.
Financial adviser numbers have risen by 1,400 (4%) since the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) and the Financial Advice Market Review (FAMR), ending years of decline.