An equity release adviser who made “illegitimate transfers” totalling £1,000,000 has been hit with a ban by The Financial Conduct Authority today.
The regulator banned Kevin Allen from performing any function related to any regulated activity.

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Mr Allen would have been fined £248,500 had he not provided evidence that any financial penalty would cause him serious financial hardship.

Mr Allen was sole shareholder of NMB, a mortgage intermediary, while holding controlled functions at another firm offering equity release mortgage products, New Life.

Between 2009 and 2013, Mr Allen made "illegitimate transfers totalling £1,000,000 from New Life to NMB without the knowledge of the other New Life directors".

According to the FCA Mr Allen “fabricated an exchange of emails between himself and another director claiming to authorise one of the transactions and falsified a bank statement in order to mislead New Life’s auditors”.

Georgina Philippou, acting director of enforcement and market oversight said: "Mr Allen failed to act with honesty and integrity.

“He stole money in order to prop up his failing business and then lied in order to cover up his deception. It is essential that those who hold important roles in financial services can be trusted and so we have banned Mr Allen."