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.



Abridged advice – how is it going so far?
Alistair MacDougall Compliance 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, abridged, Drawdown, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, transfer
Based on data and live visits to firms during the period from April 2015 to rule changes in 2018 and 2020, the FCA believed that far too high a proportion of clients were being recommended to transfer safeguarded benefits. This was predicated on the longstanding rule which stated: “… a firm should start by assuming […]