By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Something significant is stirring in the financial services world. This week, Aegon launched its Money:Mindshift campaign — a conscious attempt to challenge the traditional, transactional model of financial advice. Led by Dr Tom Mathar, the campaign invites us to move beyond the numbers and reconnect with what … Continue reading From Transaction to Transformation: Why Aegon’s ‘Money:Mindshift’ Campaign Is a Step in the Right Direction
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The Motor Finance Scandal: A Tipping Point for Commission-Driven Finance
As the UK awaits the Supreme Court ruling on the motor finance commission case this July, the financial services industry finds itself on the brink of another seismic shift—one that could reverberate far beyond car showrooms. At its heart, this case isn’t just about discretionary commissions or mis-sold car loans. It challenges the legitimacy of … Continue reading The Motor Finance Scandal: A Tipping Point for Commission-Driven Finance
Rethinking Financial Help: Why Regulated Advice Isn’t the Only Answer
Too often, the public narrative around financial support starts—and ends—with the regulated financial adviser. It’s a narrow view that overlooks a growing ecosystem of professionals ready to empower people to take control of their money without pushing products or prioritising profit. The truth is, most regulated advisers are paid to sell. They operate within a … Continue reading Rethinking Financial Help: Why Regulated Advice Isn’t the Only Answer
£1 Million in the Headlines, £10 Billion in the Shadows: Why the FCA’s War on Financial Crime Rings Hollow
By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning This week, the FCA proudly trumpeted its latest scalp: two siblings convicted for insider dealing and money laundering worth just over £1 million. Redinel Korfuzi, a research analyst, and his sister Oerta were found guilty of exploiting confidential information to profit from 13 market trades between … Continue reading £1 Million in the Headlines, £10 Billion in the Shadows: Why the FCA’s War on Financial Crime Rings Hollow
🎭 A Nation Held Hostage by the Growth Illusion
“We’re a nation losing out because of a risk not taken,” says the outgoing COO of the FCA. But whose risk—and whose reward—are we talking about? In the corridors of profit and power, the revolving doors between politics, regulators, and financial institutions continue to spin—while the rest of the country is told to shoulder more … Continue reading 🎭 A Nation Held Hostage by the Growth Illusion
Are Finfluencers the Real Problem? Or Just the Easier One to Prosecute?
By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning When the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) parades its efforts to clamp down on “finfluencers,” we should ask: are they tackling the real threats to financial integrity—or just chasing headlines? On June 10th, FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi appeared before the Treasury Committee, defending the regulator’s proactive stance … Continue reading Are Finfluencers the Real Problem? Or Just the Easier One to Prosecute?
What Happens When Regulators Fail to Act?
“What’s the point of having a regulator if they refuse to regulate?” That question is at the heart of growing public frustration with the UK’s system of oversight—one that promises protection but often delivers silence. The recent scandal involving the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Bank of America, and insider fraudster Rajesh Ghedia offers a disturbing … Continue reading What Happens When Regulators Fail to Act?
Whose Side Is the Regulator On? The Public Deserves an Answer
By Steve ConleyFounder, Academy of Life Planning It’s déjà vu for the British public. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is now weighing up whether to launch a redress scheme for consumers mis-sold motor finance products. The headlines echo familiar scandals: deception, lack of transparency, and vast financial harm to everyday citizens. Once again, the question … Continue reading Whose Side Is the Regulator On? The Public Deserves an Answer
💸 The Dividend Trap: How Capital Markets Quietly Funnel Wealth Upwards
When a company offers a dividend, it sounds like good news — a reward for being a shareholder. But dig beneath the surface, especially with optional dividends like scrip issues or DRIPs (Dividend Reinvestment Plans), and a different picture emerges. One where value is quietly extracted, and the usual suspects — investment banks and arbitrage … Continue reading 💸 The Dividend Trap: How Capital Markets Quietly Funnel Wealth Upwards
🎭 Financial Coaching or Funnel?
How Octopus Money's Business Model Fools Everyone—Even the King By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning Octopus Money has won accolades, headlines, and now even a royal honour. Its CEO, Ruth Handcock, has been awarded an OBE for “services to financial services and investments,” lauded for democratizing access to financial help. But behind the glossy … Continue reading 🎭 Financial Coaching or Funnel?
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