Royal London confirmed this morning that it was in “exploratory” takeover talks with rival mutual LV=.

Acquisitive Financial Planning group Kingswood has acquired Essex-based IFA Joseph R Lamb for £15.3m as its buying spree continues.

Mergers and acquisitions among asset managers and DFM providers could provide some unexpected headaches for Financial Planners in 2022.

The Financial Planning market can expect to see increased interest in acquisitions from private equity firms in the first half of 2022, according to Tilney Smith & Williamson.

Financial Planning and investment group Tavistock Investments has acquired a 21% stake in retirement-focused financial adviser LEBC from the founder's widow for £10m.

Fund and wealth management group M&G has received the regulatory go ahead for its acquisition of financial adviser firm Sandringham Financial Partners.

XPS Pensions Group, the actuarial, consulting and admin business, is to acquire the business and key assets of Manchester-based SIPP and SSAS provider Michael J Field Consulting Actuaries for £3.75m. 

US-owned investment and data provider Morningstar has snapped up the UK and international arms of Australian-owned platform Praemium for £35m.

Royal London confirmed today it was offering exclusive talks with fellow mutual LV= about a possible merger after a £530m bid by US private equity firm Bain Capital for LV= collapsed last week.

The takeover of wealth manager Charles Stanley by US-owned rival Raymond James has been pushed back a month due to delays in securing FCA approval.