Tag: investing

Financial Planning is a Profession, Financial Intermediation is an Industry: Why the CII and PFS are in Trouble

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Personal Finance Society (PFS) have long stood as pillars in the world of financial services. Yet, their recent struggles indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the evolving landscape of financial planning and intermediation. As a Chartered Insurer since 1989 and a Chartered Financial Planner since 2017, I have witnessed … Continue reading Financial Planning is a Profession, Financial Intermediation is an Industry: Why the CII and PFS are in Trouble →

Evolving Financial Advisers: The AI Revolution at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice Conference

LONDON, July 10, 2024 – Gather round, dear financial advisers, as we delve into the delightful dystopia unveiled at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice conference today. Held at the charmingly impersonal Pullman Hotel in London, the event revealed a future where half of the advisers aged 58 and above are frantically plotting their … Continue reading Evolving Financial Advisers: The AI Revolution at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice Conference →

The Great British Financial Adviser Dilemma: An Ode to Overload and Obsolescence

Ah, the United Kingdom, land of tea, crumpets, and, apparently, a grossly overburdened financial advisory sector. Let's break this down: with 28 million households and a whopping 28,000 financial advisers, each managing a maximum of 100 clients, only a mere 10% of households are graced with ongoing financial services. Yes, just 10%. That leaves 90% … Continue reading The Great British Financial Adviser Dilemma: An Ode to Overload and Obsolescence →

Beware the Pension Pitfall: When DIY Turns to Disaster

Listen up, folks! Your pension pot is probably your single biggest investment, and who wouldn't want to take control of that? But, before you get all giddy about self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) putting you "in the driving seat," let me hit the brakes and steer you back to reality. Just ask Stuart James. One minute, … Continue reading Beware the Pension Pitfall: When DIY Turns to Disaster →

Reimagining Retirement: Why Gen X Should Look Beyond Traditional Investments

As the oldest members of Generation X (individuals born between the years 1965 and 1980) approach the milestone of 60 next year, the reality of retirement looms large. The recent Natixis Global Survey of Individual Investors highlights the financial anxieties this cohort faces. Nearly half of Gen Xers surveyed believe it will take a miracle … Continue reading Reimagining Retirement: Why Gen X Should Look Beyond Traditional Investments →

The Difference Between FCA-Regulated Financial Planners Who Outsource Wealth Management and CMA-Regulated Financial Planners

Introduction In the UK, financial planning services can be regulated by different authorities depending on the nature of the advice provided. This article clarifies the distinctions between FCA-regulated financial planners who often outsource wealth management to discretionary fund managers (DFMs) through model portfolio services (MPS), and financial planners regulated by the Competition and Markets Authority … Continue reading The Difference Between FCA-Regulated Financial Planners Who Outsource Wealth Management and CMA-Regulated Financial Planners →

The Future of Work: Why Holistic Financial Planning is Key to a Fulfilling Retirement

In today’s fast-evolving economic landscape, the concept of retirement is undergoing a radical transformation. Traditional notions of a 'hard stop' retirement, where work ceases entirely at a certain age, are increasingly unrealistic for many. New research by Phoenix Insights reveals that only half of UK adults believe they will achieve this ideal. Instead, a significant … Continue reading The Future of Work: Why Holistic Financial Planning is Key to a Fulfilling Retirement →

Breaking the Financial Advice Barrier: Why Empowerment, Not Intermediation, is the Future

You’ve probably heard it before: “It’s not possible for advisers to serve those in the advice gap.” Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Like something straight out of a financial apocalypse movie. But let's cut through the noise and get to the heart of the matter. The financial advice industry is in turmoil, and not for the … Continue reading Breaking the Financial Advice Barrier: Why Empowerment, Not Intermediation, is the Future →

The State Pension Panic: What They’re Not Telling You (And What You Should Really Do)

Hey, ever had that sinking feeling when you think about your future and your state pension? You’re not alone. A whopping 70% of Britons believe the state pension will be as extinct as dinosaurs by the time they retire1. Sounds scary, right? But before you dive into a pool of despair, let’s dissect this scare … Continue reading The State Pension Panic: What They’re Not Telling You (And What You Should Really Do) →