Hot topic: Suitability in wealth management
“Any successful wealth management service is entirely dependent on providing clients with suitable investment portfolios.
Helping firms to improve their standards on suitability is one of our priorities in supervising the sector.
… many firms still need to up their game – suitability remains one of our main concerns in the sector. “
So said the FCA in a recent regulatory roundup. The regulator has completed three separate phases of work on this aspect over the past six years, culminating in a Thematic Review in December 2015 – see our view here.
Suitability was also the theme of the investment roadshows that the FCA has been conducting around the country. See our summary here.



FCA provide guidance on SMF16/17 appointments
Richard Foster Compliance FCA, ML, PI, training
Firms should have heads of compliance and money laundering reporting officers (MLROs) who are suitably competent and capable of effectively performing the roles. It is appropriate to carefully consider how individuals can demonstrate this ahead of seeking regulatory approval. The FCA have recently issued guidance which should help firms decide if an individual candidate is […]