There is a specific rule requirement to disclose any possible disadvantages in the suitability report. The rule (COBS 9.4.7) can be seen here: http://fshandbook.info/FS/html/FCA/COBS/9/4.
Remember that a disadvantage is different to a risk. For example, there is a risk that investments can fall in value, whereas a disadvantage would be that the recommended product has higher charges than the product being replaced.
Important Note: ATEB news is intended to provide general information ONLY. The content, including any views expressed or guidance provided, does not replace the need to comply fully with FCA Rules and Guidance. Unless you have discussed news article content with ATEB, and specifically how it relates to your circumstances, then ATEB disclaims all liability and responsibility and actions arising from any reliance placed upon it. For the avoidance of doubt therefore, any reliance you place on such information without our consultation is at your own risk.
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Platforms play a big part in the investment process of most UK firms. According to Defaqto, 94% of advisers place 50% or more of their new business on a platform, while as many as 20% choose not to place any client assets off-platform at all. That being the case, it is no surprise that the […]
The tentative question posed in the heading to this article refers to the vagueness of the rules around when disclosure should be issued to clients. We have written about this before, most recently in connection with the Personalised Charges Communication that is now required to be issued to clients when full pension transfer advice is […]
We often see pension transfer cases where the client is in ill health and with this as the primary driver for transferring away from a defined benefits scheme, i.e. to make available a lump sum benefit in the event of death rather than the scheme dependants’ pensions. While this can be a strong driver for […]
A question that pops up from time to time is whether there is a need to discount potential options that are not being recommended. This was something that, in the early days of regulated advice, a few firms used to require advisers to include in suitability reports. Some still do. However, there has never been […]
Ukraine – 10% drop reporting
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2020, 2022, COVID-19, FCA, Update
The current hostilities in Ukraine have caused significant market drops and may continue to do so. Accordingly, a reminder about the 10% drop reporting requirements is timely. Readers will recall the early days of the Covid pandemic in 2020 caused a period of market volatility that necessitated issue of 10% drop notifications to clients. […]