The Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the consumer protection body, has declared eight firms in default, opening the door to consumers getting back money they have lost as a result of dealings with the failed firms.

New research has found that 1 in 5 pension savers (20%) over 50 have changed their retirement plans because of the Pension Freedoms as the retirement planning sector sees a major change in direction.

An Independent Review has cleared the Financial Ombudsman Service of being unfit for purpose following a probe by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme earlier this year.

Cashflow modelling provider Prestwood Software is launching a suite of advanced pension planning tools to help planners deal with clients underfunding pensions.

Major platform provider FNZ has acquired the German platform ebase as part of its plan to be the leading provider of B2B wealth management platforms in Europe.

A user survey by platform Nucleus says that the appetite for adviser business owners to acquire rival firms remains strong with 42% interested in buying a business.

Andrew Salmon is to take up the role of chief executive officer at Chartered Financial Planner-focused wealth manager Arbuthnot Latham & Co with immediate effect. 

A further 67 companies - including Financial Planning firms and major financial providers - have signed up to the Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter including St James's Place, JP Morgan, Investec Asset Management and Yorkshire Building Society.

Liberty SIPP has reported revenue up by a third and assets under management up to nearly £3bn.

Old Mutual Wealth Private Client Advisers has acquired the advisory arm of Chartered accountancy business, Saint & Co, in Carlisle.