International pensions group STM, which bought troubled SIPP firm Carey Pensions last year, is planning further acquisitions in the SIPP and pensions sector as its focuses on the UK.

Embark Pensions, which includes EBS Pensions and Rowanmoor, saw a near 14% increase in client numbers in 2019 but a 6% decline in net operating profit, according to annual results.

Platform and SIPP provider AJ Bell has reported client numbers up 22% to 262,179 over the past 12 months.

The FCA is to give staff at regulated firms an additional 12 months to pass professional exams due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Platform Transact has reported that quarterly Funds Under Direction fell 11% in the first quarter (to 31 March) from £39.31bn to £34.99bn, a drop of £4.4bn.

Financial advisers saw their turnover and client numbers grow strongly in 2019, a new study has found.