Update: FCA identifies asset management concerns and unveils platform review

In regulator's Sector Views paper

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has identified a number of areas of focus within the asset management sector for the coming year, flagging concerns that investment managers are overpaying for services and market stability could be affected by the "disorderly wind-down" of portfolios, while it also announced a platform competition review.

The FCA released its Mission Statement and Business Plan 2017/18 this morning, revealing it will conduct a market study to explore how ‘direct to consumer' and intermediated investment platforms compete to win new and retain existing customers. "The study will explore whether platforms enable retail investors to access investment products that offer value for money. When scoping the study, we will take into account relevant feedback we receive on the Asset Management Market Study," it said. "The investment platform market study will allow us to understand the causes of any competitio...