Think twice before trusting “advice” from someone who’s also selling you an investment. It might sound convenient – your adviser has a perfect opportunity just for you – but that double role can hide huge conflicts of interest. The £21 million Asset Land Investment scandal is a prime example. Investors were lured by salespeople posing … Continue reading Dodgy Advice and a Land-Banking Scam: Lessons from the Asset Land Case
Tag: crypto
Think You Can Outsmart the Market? Why Timing Stocks – and Crypto – Rarely Works
Is timing the market a fool’s errand? Many investors dream of selling at the top and buying at the bottom. The reality: even professional fund managers with fancy models often can’t pull it off. For everyday investors, trying to time the stock market is like playing darts blindfolded – and when it comes to crypto, … Continue reading Think You Can Outsmart the Market? Why Timing Stocks – and Crypto – Rarely Works
Should Cryptoassets Feature in Your Wealth Plan? A Balanced Look for Personal and Professional Planners
Cryptocurrencies are headline-grabbing, high-risk, and highly debated. From Bitcoin to Ethereum, cryptoassets have sparked curiosity and controversy alike. If you’re a personal or professional financial planner wondering whether these digital assets deserve a place in your wealth strategy, this article aims to provide clarity. Let’s unpack the current state of the crypto market, weigh the … Continue reading Should Cryptoassets Feature in Your Wealth Plan? A Balanced Look for Personal and Professional Planners
The Fight for Justice in UK Financial Services: A Call to Action
When it comes to protecting consumers in UK financial services, one thing has become abundantly clear: the system isn’t working as it should. With the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) bound by a framework that prioritises growth and international competitiveness, achieving genuine consumer justice seems increasingly out of reach. The FCA’s balancing act between protecting market … Continue reading The Fight for Justice in UK Financial Services: A Call to Action
Why We Need a Wall Between Regulators and the City
By Steve Conley, December 12, 2024 Trust is the foundation of any healthy financial system. Without it, people hesitate to invest, plan for their future, or participate in the economy. Yet, in the UK, the relationship between our financial regulators and the City raises serious questions about whose interests are being prioritised—and at what cost. … Continue reading Why We Need a Wall Between Regulators and the City
Regulatory Oversight or Industry Bias? A Consumer Champion’s Perspective on the FCA Debate
The recent report by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on investment fraud and fairer financial services has ignited a critical debate about the effectiveness of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). As customer champions, we believe this discussion highlights systemic issues that cannot be ignored, especially when consumer trust and financial well-being are at stake. At … Continue reading Regulatory Oversight or Industry Bias? A Consumer Champion’s Perspective on the FCA Debate
Why Holistic Wealth Planners Can Benefit from Membership in a Professional Community
As the regulatory landscape for financial services evolves, non-FCA-regulated financial planners—referred to as holistic wealth planners—find themselves navigating a complex environment. While their work is distinct from that of FCA-authorised advisers, there are overlapping considerations, particularly around governance, transparency, and client outcomes. By joining a community of like-minded planners, holistic wealth planners can align with … Continue reading Why Holistic Wealth Planners Can Benefit from Membership in a Professional Community
The Conflicted Role of the UK Financial Regulator: Who Does the FCA Really Serve?
In the complex web of UK financial regulation, one fundamental truth should be self-evident: the protection of consumers must come first. After all, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was established with a primary mandate to safeguard the public from harm caused by financial misconduct. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over its ability—and willingness—to … Continue reading The Conflicted Role of the UK Financial Regulator: Who Does the FCA Really Serve?
Whose Voice Matters Most? Consumers, Regulation, and the Fight for Fairness
When it comes to financial regulation, consumers should always come first. Protecting them is—or at least should be—the primary objective of any regulatory body. But is that truly what’s happening in the UK today? Increasingly, it feels like the voices of ordinary people are being drowned out by the deafening lobbying power of financial institutions. … Continue reading Whose Voice Matters Most? Consumers, Regulation, and the Fight for Fairness
Understanding the Difference: Generic vs. Specific Financial Advice for Finfluencers
Brits! As a finfluencer, your platform holds great influence, especially over young and often vulnerable audiences. But with this power comes the responsibility to understand where you stand in terms of financial regulation. Knowing when you are providing generic financial information and when you are crossing into the territory of specific, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) … Continue reading Understanding the Difference: Generic vs. Specific Financial Advice for Finfluencers
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