In the world of traditional financial advice, the focus has too often been on the portfolio rather than the person.The processes of factfinding, risk profiling, and cashflow modelling have been framed as the core of “planning” — yet these steps have been primarily designed to lead clients towards product implementation. At the Academy of Life … Continue reading Planning the Person, Not the Portfolio: The Future of Financial Life Planning
Tag: business
Psychopathic Traits in Financial Services: Prevalence, Impact, and Regulatory Responses
By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Author’s Note: A Personal Prelude In December 2007, just months before the Global Financial Crisis erupted and Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) became one of the most infamous taxpayer bailouts in history, I was made redundant from my role as Head of Savings and Investments Strategy. … Continue reading Psychopathic Traits in Financial Services: Prevalence, Impact, and Regulatory Responses
Your Money or Your Life: The Silence of the Law
For Al —and for every victim silenced by a system sworn to protect them. 🕯️ In Honour of Al A man who stood alone against the machine.Who lost his home, but not his voice.Who refused to be erased. 🔍 The Injustice Unmasked In 2024, Al —78 years old and no stranger to life’s trials—was robbed.Not … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: The Silence of the Law
Is the FCA Leadership Upholding Integrity – or Undermining It Through the Growth Agenda?
By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning Integrity is more than a word etched into the FCA’s code of conduct—it is the cornerstone of trust in the financial system. Yet, recent FCA court cases, set against the backdrop of a government-mandated growth agenda, raise a troubling question: Is the FCA’s leadership still … Continue reading Is the FCA Leadership Upholding Integrity – or Undermining It Through the Growth Agenda?
From Policy Capture to Public Interest: Rebalancing the FCA’s Objectives for a Fairer Financial System
By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning When the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was established, its primary duty was clear: to protect consumers. Yet in recent years, a troubling shift has emerged—one that places industry growth above public interest, leaving victims of financial crime struggling for redress and reform. This is no … Continue reading From Policy Capture to Public Interest: Rebalancing the FCA’s Objectives for a Fairer Financial System
Why Regulated Financial Advice Firms Should Consider Becoming an Academy Affiliate
As Consumer Duty regulations reshape the financial advice landscape, regulated firms are increasingly narrowing their focus to serve wealthier clients. While this realignment improves profitability and compliance, it also deepens the advice gap — leaving many prospective clients underserved. But what if you could still support these individuals and create a new revenue stream for … Continue reading Why Regulated Financial Advice Firms Should Consider Becoming an Academy Affiliate
Your Money or Your Life: When Consumer Duty Becomes Consumer Deception
For every investor misled by numbers that don’t add up—and every adviser still brave enough to tell the truth. The Injustice Unmasked Consumer Duty was meant to protect the public. A rallying cry for transparency, fairness, and value. But what are we seeing? Prices are rising. Not falling. Lazy income—untethered from real service—is being justified, … Continue reading Your Money or Your Life: When Consumer Duty Becomes Consumer Deception
Justice Comes at a Price – But Is It Too High?
What victims need to know before signing up with litigation funders You’ve been wronged. You’ve got a strong case. A judge even agrees it deserves to be heard. But here’s the kicker—you can’t go forward without legal representation, and you simply can’t afford it. Sound familiar? This is the gut-wrenching reality facing thousands of victims … Continue reading Justice Comes at a Price – But Is It Too High?
The Fastest Way to Change the System? Stop Fighting It and Build a New One
Buckminster Fuller once said, “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” That’s exactly what I’ve done throughout my career—and what we’re doing now in financial planning. The Hard Truth About Top-Down Change For years, as an Ambassador for the Transparency … Continue reading The Fastest Way to Change the System? Stop Fighting It and Build a New One
Trumped? What the FCA Just Told Us About the Future of Regulation
Let’s not beat around the bush: the FCA just blinked. In a quiet letter to the Treasury Select Committee, Britain’s top financial watchdog rolled back some of its biggest regulatory plans. "Name and shame" is out. Diversity and inclusion rules? Scrapped. Non-financial misconduct? Kicked down the road. If you were hoping for reform with bite, … Continue reading Trumped? What the FCA Just Told Us About the Future of Regulation
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