Although we know that most firms are aware of the FCA’s post 2014 budget guidance, it is most certainly worthwhile our highlighting and reiterating what is expected of firms in the interim period i.e. up to April 2015.
The FCA’s guidance FG14-03 can be found here and if you have not already done so, please read this carefully. Note in particular the guidance in section 2 that explains what is expected for clients in different stages of the retirement process.
We recommend that you formally document your response to the guidance paper.
FCS Transitional Arrangements
Steve Bailey Compliance Update
As you will be aware the Financial Services Authority ceased to be and the Financial Conduct Authority took over the regulation of financial advice firms on 01 April 2013.
The FSA issued PS13/05 last week which includes updated rules and transition arrangements. The policy statement itself is 88 pages but the ‘appendix (3)’ that accompanies it is a mere 1990 pages so you must excuse us for not as yet absorbing every word. The document can be seen here.