The financial services industry can be a confusing maze for consumers. At the heart of it all, you’ve got distributors (the salespeople), manufacturers (the product creators), regulators (the watchdogs), and their suppliers (everyone from tech providers to marketers). What do they all have in common? They want you, the consumer, to buy more of their … Continue reading The Illusion of Advice: Why Financial Capital Isn’t the Whole Story
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Cutting the Red Tape or Cutting Consumer Protection?
The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech was a love letter to the City of London – wrapped in reform rhetoric but smelling distinctly of deregulation. Rachel Reeves wants us to believe her package of reforms will drive growth and unleash the financial services sector like never before. But let’s look past the polished prose, shall we? … Continue reading Cutting the Red Tape or Cutting Consumer Protection?
Review of PFS’s “A Guide to Personal Financial Planning”: Assessing the Essentials of Modern Financial Planning
In the ever-evolving landscape of financial planning, it’s crucial to move beyond the traditional focus on financial capital alone. A comprehensive approach must integrate human capital strategies and personal values assessments, recognising the broader context of an individual's life. Let’s explore whether the PFS guide effectively incorporates these critical components. Does the Guide Include Personal … Continue reading Review of PFS’s “A Guide to Personal Financial Planning”: Assessing the Essentials of Modern Financial Planning
Understanding and Accessing the Akashic Records
The Akashic Records are often described as a spiritual database or a "library of the soul." Imagine it as a timeless, universal storehouse of information, containing details about every thought, emotion, experience, and intention you have ever had—not just in this life but across all lifetimes. Whether you’re looking for guidance on your life path, … Continue reading Understanding and Accessing the Akashic Records
The Opioid Epidemic and Financial Advice: A Tale of Misaligned Incentives
When we look at the opioid epidemic in the United States, it’s impossible to ignore how financial incentives played a destructive role. Pharmaceutical companies encouraged doctors to prescribe painkillers like OxyContin, offering them financial rewards, such as bonuses, speaking fees, and perks, based on how much they prescribed. This model put profits above patient care, … Continue reading The Opioid Epidemic and Financial Advice: A Tale of Misaligned Incentives
Will Technology Create More Time for Advisers to Connect with Clients: Will Future Advisers Be Selling Products or Focusing on Planning?
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, the role of a financial adviser is undergoing significant shifts, thanks to technology. Yet, the key question remains: Will technology truly create more time for advisers to connect with their clients? Let’s unpack this with an eye on where we stand today and what the future might hold. Advisers … Continue reading Will Technology Create More Time for Advisers to Connect with Clients: Will Future Advisers Be Selling Products or Focusing on Planning?
CII and PFS: The Membership Dilemma for Financial Planners
There’s an ongoing debate that has left many financial planners feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to their membership with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Personal Finance Society (PFS). Recent communications from the CII suggest a rather troubling message: "You’re stuck with us." But are financial planners … Continue reading CII and PFS: The Membership Dilemma for Financial Planners
Why Working Into Later Life Could Be the Solution We Need
The UK is on a collision course with a looming pension crisis, with experts warning that millions of retirees will face financial struggles in the coming decades. While policy discussions often centre around raising pension contributions, there’s another solution that seems glaringly overlooked: working longer. This isn’t just about economic necessity—it’s about giving people the … Continue reading Why Working Into Later Life Could Be the Solution We Need
Are Banks Returning to the Advice Market? Or Just Dipping a Toe in Distribution?
Twelve years ago, bank bosses stepped away from the bancassurance market, labelling it a zero-sum game. Now, they’re back with fresh plans. So, what’s changed, and is it a good idea? HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds are all making a big push back into wealth management, with HSBC aiming to double its assets under management to … Continue reading Are Banks Returning to the Advice Market? Or Just Dipping a Toe in Distribution?
Introducing Our New Brochure: The Holistic Wealth Planner: Your Pathway from FS Pro to Holistic Wealth Planner (HWP)
Navigating the world of financial planning can often feel overwhelming, especially when you're eager to elevate your career and make a real impact on clients’ lives. At the Academy of Life Planning, we understand that our range of services and development opportunities can sometimes seem like a maze. That's why we’ve created a concise, user-friendly … Continue reading Introducing Our New Brochure: The Holistic Wealth Planner: Your Pathway from FS Pro to Holistic Wealth Planner (HWP)
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