FCA: Concerns linger over adviser payments despite inducements ban

Regulator 'encouraged' by adviser firms' response but fears potential for bias remains in some firms

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is generally "encouraged" by adviser firms' responses to its ban on inducements, though it fears some may still be receiving inappropriate payments, FCA director of policy David Geale has said.

Advisory firms and product providers share a responsibility to manage conflicts of interest, such as payments which may encourage the recommendation of one product over another, the regulator stipulated in final guidance published in January 2014. It followed a review that indicated some payments and benefits had the potential to bias the advice given and undermine the "spirit" of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), which was introduced in 2012 and sought to eradicate bias from all retail investment advice. Speaking at an FCA conference earlier this week discussing the EU's Markets ...