Platform providers need transparency of proposition and charging structures, says Defaqto report.

April 7, 2008 | posted by Chloe Cottam in Insight, Investment, Press Release | comments (0) |

Despite assurances from market players about the transparency of their propositions, some IFAs claim that platforms are too expensive and that they still struggle to understand the concept, according to a report recently published by Defaqto.

The findings from the review of the adviser platform market coincide with the FSA’s feedback on its platform discussion paper. This highlighted concerns over the complexity, cost and training issues relating to the use of platforms.

Defaqto’s report, entitled: ‘Adviser Platforms in the UK 20081 - Stand and Deliver’, includes results from a study of IFAs conducting investment business. The study found that among the reasons given by IFAs for not adopting platforms were that there was not enough awareness of either their functions or of the available products.  Other reasons were that platforms required to be fully understood by clients before they would request them, while some IFAs simply thought that they were too expensive.

Matt Ward, Defaqto’s Principal Consultant for Pensions & Wealth Management, stated that: “Although it is acknowledged that platforms should be seen as a service it does not preclude providers from putting together marketing and support material which clearly defines the capability of a proposition and details the component parts. Clearly, more work needs to be done in getting the ‘platform’ message across to IFAs, and this needs to be followed up with ongoing support.”

Further, Ward comments: “Advisers also need to be in a position to compare and contrast propositions ahead of further adoption considerations for their practice and the fact that this process is not currently a straightforward one does not reflect well on the market.”       

-Ends-

 

Notes to Editors:

1The report ‘Adviser Platforms in the UK 2008- Stand and Deliver‘  is on sale priced £1,200 excluding VAT for a PDF version and £595 (No VAT payable) for a single printed copy. For further information please contact Chris Johnston on 01844 295457, or the Sales Department on Freephone 0808 1000 804 or visit http://www.defaqto.com/

For further information contact:

Defaqto Limited          

Matt Ward, Chris Johnston or Luci Mylward

01844 295 454

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Are Bank Base Rates becoming less relevant to the real economy?

April 7, 2008 | posted by Chris Johnston in Banking | comments (1) |

On Thursday 10th April, the Bank of England’s Monetary Committee will set the Bank Base rate against an extremely difficult economic background. The Committee is charged with ensuring monetary stability and of keeping inflation within 1% of the 2% annual target level.

The fault lines in the economy are likely to make this month’s decision as difficult as it has ever been. Inflation, by whatever measure, is likely to show a rise in March under pressure from fuel and some food price increases, while house prices look as if they are coming down while mortgage rates are going up.

The reluctance that banks are showing to lend to each other is reflected in the LIBOR rate, which for 3 months, is just over 6%, which is 0.75% above base rate, compared with a typical spread of 0.25% to 0.50% above base rate for much of the first half of 2007.

It looks as if financial institutions are making their decisions about lending rates and lending decisions in the light of their own particular circumstances and are not being influenced too much by what may happen to the Bank of England base rate.

In the current economic conditions, trying to manage the economy by moving interest rates is looking increasing like a measure that has passed its sell by date. A cut in the rate will encourage inflation but is unlikely to influence mortgage rates and keeping the rate the same will just prolong the current status quo. A rise in the rate will potentially choke off even more demand and make the outlook for growth and jobs that much more dismal.

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