The FCA published a warning on 1 April about how some firms are promoting Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs). The FCA has seen evidence that IFISAs are being promoted alongside cash ISAs.
This is problematic because investments held in IFISAs are generally high-risk. The money is ultimately invested in products like mini-bonds or peer-to-peer investments.
In addition, these types of investments may not be protected by the Financial Service Compensation Scheme so customers may lose the money invested or find it hard to get it back because of liquidity issues.



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.