Regulation
Lawyers warn of loophole in referral fee ban
Global law firm Kennedys has warned there is a significant loophole in the government’s proposed ban on referral fees.
FSA scrutinises banks' bundling of insurance products
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has made a host of proposals to change the way that insurance is sold when bundled into bank accounts.
Ombudsman reports sharp drop in PPI complaints
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has revealed a 66% drop in payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints in its quarterly complaints report.
FSA warns aggregators not to breach permissions
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has expressed concerns that comparison sites are helping to arrange and advise on sales without the correct permissions.
Djanogly stripped of CMC powers
The justice minister, Jonathan Djanogly, has been stripped of his responsibility to regulate claims management companies after it was revealed he and his family could profit from changes to legal aid he was proposing.
OFT: consumers can improve professional services sector
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has made recommendations designed to improve the professional services market and driving consumer choice.
Personal injury lawyer welcomes referral fee ban
A personal injury solicitor has broken ranks with his peers to welcome Government moves to ban referral fees in insurance cases.
Banking changes may hinder lending to SMEs
The implementation of the Basel 3 regulatory framework will dramatically hinder retail bank lending to SMEs, according to the European Savings Banks Group (ESBG).
Even FSA staff in the dark over regulatory changes
Staff at the Financial Services Authority (FSA) are being left in the dark over the imminent changes to the regulatory system.
'Tesco law' arrives today
The new Legal Services Act comes into force today, allowing insurance companies to take a majority stake in law firms.
Wilmslow PPI claims to be accepted by FSCS
Wilmslow Financial Services, a broker specialising in payment protection insurance (PPI), has officially been declared in default.
IIB 'delighted' with FSCS funding review decision
The Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) has welcomed news that the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is to restart its funding review of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Biba backs FSCS funding review
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has given its full backing to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) following its announcement that it is restarting its funding review of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Reportage: Do the right thing
Getting the level of payouts, customer service and the time taken to process a claim correctly is a tricky job, but the industry is starting to get the balance right, reports Edward Murray
Power hour: Survive the surge
Claims are seen as the shop window of the insurance industry. However, this sector seldom gets the chance to show its capability outside major surges in claims such as last year’s ‘big freeze’ or the recent riots, writes Martin Friel
Add-ons: the next PPI scandal?
OFT’s call for evidence on ancillary products in private motor could uncover wide-spread mis-selling
Market moves: Making moves in the Midlands
The Midlands was the place to be this month with numerous appointments and promotions at all levels, with Commercial Express in particular the source of a few moves. Lorica and Oxford Insurance Brokers also added several employees to their teams.
Europe on the brink?
The UK is not immune from the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, explains Scott Corfe
Data, data, everywhere…
At last, Tony Bloomer might be getting a universal phone charger, but when will the industry have a standard approach to customer data?
OFT continues to target private motor over competition concerns
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has opened a consultation aimed at addressing competition issues in the private motor market.
FSA chairman says regulation may be holding the economy back
The chairman of the Financial Services Authority has admitted that regulation may be holding the economy back.
Complaints about general insurance increase
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published the aggregate complaints figures for the first half of 2011.
FSA refuses to refund FSCS levy to exempted firm
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has declined to refund a regulated firm a portion of its FSCS levies after the firm discovered it should have been exempt from the payment.
FSA spending longer on permission extensions
The length of time it takes the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to grant financial services firms permission to expand their businesses has increased by another 10% in the last year, according to a City law firm.