Adviser Guides

Latest adviser guides from all sections of FTAdviser

1. 

   Guide to Regulation Post-FSA 1hr

   Since the beginning of April 2013 three new regulatory bodies have taken over the supervision of UK financial services.

   1. Supervision of smaller firms under the FCA
   2. New regulatory powers and how they will work
2. 

   Guide to Investment Trusts 1hr

   Advisers often express concerns over investment trusts based on issues such as gearing and discounts.

   1. Premiums, discounts and liquidity in investment trusts
   2. Should investors stop fearing gearing?
3. 

   Guide to Income Drawdown and Third Way Products 1hr

   Drawdown and third way pensions may not be for every client, but they are options that remain under-utlised by advisers.

   1. Clients that are best suited to drawdown
   2. What are ‘third way’ pensions products?
4. 

   Guide to Advising on Bridging Loans 1hr

   For clients needing short-term funding, the bridging loan market is bristling with potential options.

   1. Types of bridging loan and how they compare to alternatives
   2. Issues that may arise after the loan is offered
5. 

   Guide to Picking a Platform Post-RDR 1hr

   Platform pricing guidance has yet to be delivered by the new financial authorities.

   1. Platform types and whether you need one
   2. How to pick an investment platform
6. 

   Guide to Advising First-Time Buyers 40min

   Potential FTBs received a further boost in the latest Budget and advisers are in a key position to gain.

   1. How to advise first-time buyers
   2. Schemes to help first-time buyers
7. 

   Guide to Sustainable and Responsible Investing 1hr

   Ethical and responsible investing is an area clients are often interested in but rarely know much about.

   1. Different shades of ethical and responsible investing
   2. Recent trends in SRI
8. 

   Guide to Fixed Income Investing 1hr

   Regardless of whether the ‘bond bubble’ has burst, fixed income investments offer attractive qualities.

   1. Main principles of fixed income investing
   2. Choosing fixed income investments for my client
9. 

   Guide to Qrops and Qnups 1hr

   Qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes are applicable to more clients than you might think.

   1. When and why you might transfer clients into Qrops/Qnups
   2. What advisers can do to protect clients and mitigate risk
10. 

    Guide to Infrastructure Investment 1hr

    In low interest rate environments, investors could use infrastructure to move out of low-yielding bonds into equities.

    1. The roles infrastructure can play in a portfolio
    2. The best time to invest in infrastructure

Latest adviser guides from Pensions

1. 

   Guide to Income Drawdown and Third Way Products 1hr

   Drawdown and third way pensions may not be for every client, but they are options that remain under-utlised by advisers.

   1. Clients that are best suited to drawdown
   2. What are ‘third way’ pensions products?
2. 

   Guide to Qrops and Qnups 1hr

   Qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes are applicable to more clients than you might think.

   1. When and why you might transfer clients into Qrops/Qnups
   2. What advisers can do to protect clients and mitigate risk
3. 

   Guide to Annuities 1hr

   An annuity purchase is for the rest of one’s life, so this hugely important decision requires sound financial advice.

   1. The pros and cons of different annuities
   2. Commission and adviser charging on annuities
4. 

   Guide to Self-Invested Personal Pensions 1hr

   Regulator is scrutinising advisers for inappropriate use of Sipps, plus there are some industry changes looming.

   1. The pros and cons of Sipps for clients and advisers
   2. Sipps situations to beware
5. 

   Guide to Ssas 1hr

   Small self-administered schemes have been overshadowed by the growth in Sipps, meaning they are often wrongly overlooked.

   1. How Ssas differ from Sipps
   2. What advisers can do for their client
6. 

   Guide to Auto-Enrolment 1hr

   Auto-enrolment is a huge opportunity for IFAs as many employers and employees will not know where to start.

   1. Q: What role will there be for financial advisers?
   2. Q: How can I win profitable corporate business?
7. 

   Guide to automatic enrolment

   Employers must begin the phased enrolment of their staff into an occupational pension scheme this autumn.

   1. Q: What are the options for employers?
   2. Q: What role is there for financial advisers?
8. 

   Guide to annuities - part 2

   Alternatives to an annuity and the potential pros and cons of delaying purchase are explored in the second part of this guide.
9. 

   Guide to annuities - part 1

   As people live for longer, buying the best annuity can be crucial to your client’s future health and happiness.
10. 

    Guide to Sipps

    Many want greater investment freedom and Sipps give ‘hands on’ control, allowing members and their advisers to access a wider range of asset...read more

Latest adviser guides from Mortgages

1. 

   Guide to Advising on Bridging Loans 1hr

   For clients needing short-term funding, the bridging loan market is bristling with potential options.

   1. Types of bridging loan and how they compare to alternatives
   2. Issues that may arise after the loan is offered
2. 

   Guide to Advising First-Time Buyers 40min

   Potential FTBs received a further boost in the latest Budget and advisers are in a key position to gain.

   1. How to advise first-time buyers
   2. Schemes to help first-time buyers
3. 

   Guide to Buy-to-Let Mortgages 40min

   Appetite for buy-to-let mortgages is set to remain in growth mode and advisers need to keep up with developments.

   1. How buy-to-let differs from residential mortgage advice
   2. The regulation of buy-to-let mortgage advice
4. 

   Guide to the Mortgage Advice Market post-MMR 40min

   With the publication of the final Mortgage Market Review rules, a clearer picture is emerging of how mortgage advice will be affected.

   1. What are advisers requirements around mortgage discussions?
5. 

   Guide to Equity Release 1hr

   While equity release is certainly not for everyone, it has improved its image considerably since the wild 1980s.

   1. Q: What are my regulatory requirements?
   2. Q: How does equity release affect the client’s family?
6. 

   Guide to NewBuy mortgages 1hr

   The UK’s desire for property has not been diminished by the credit crunch but there are far fewer loans requiring a small deposit.

   1. Q: What is the NewBuy Guarantee?
   2. Q: What properties are eligible for a NewBuy mortgage?
7. 

   Guide to short-term finance 1hr

   The bridging, commercial and short-term loan sector offers access to funding for those not able to secure finance through more traditional routes.

   1. Q: What are the different types of short-term loan?
   2. Q: How are short-term asset loans secured?
8. 

   Guide to buy-to-let – part 2

   Helping your client to purchase a property is only the first step in aiding them to become a successful buy-to-let investor.
9. 

   Guide to buy-to-let – part 1

   Buy-to-let has become increasingly popular as many chose to turn to property rather than pensions for a retirement income.
10. 

    Guide to equity release

    For many people, the home is their largest asset and releasing some of the equity will help them finance their retirement.

Latest adviser guides from Insurance

1. 

   Guide to Life Insurance 1hr

   Just 30 per cent of UK households have any life insurance, less than half of the proportion with home contents, motor and building insurance.

   1. How the new EU gender directive has affected life insurance
   2. Tips for the application process
2. 

   Guide to Critical Illness Cover 1hr

   While clients clearly value insurance in many areas of their lives they may need guidance the value of these policies.

   1. Q: Will using a ‘menu plan’ make the process easier?
   2. Q: How can I get a cover for clients in good time?
3. 

   Guide to Protection

   Some say advising on protection could help advisers to manage their cash flow as they adjust to RDR charging regime.

   1. Q: How is new regulation affecting protection?
   2. Q: How do I talk protection with clients?
4. 

   Guide to Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance 1hr

   While it may sound similar to PPI, MPPI is a very different product that can provide valuable protection.

   1. Q: What are the alternatives to MPPI?
   2. Q: What are the problems with MPPI?
5. 

   Guide to protection

   Few products can be as life changing as a protection policy. But nobody wants to think about the worst happening.

Latest adviser guides from Investments

1. 

   Guide to Investment Trusts 1hr

   Advisers often express concerns over investment trusts based on issues such as gearing and discounts.

   1. Premiums, discounts and liquidity in investment trusts
   2. Should investors stop fearing gearing?
2. 

   Guide to Picking a Platform Post-RDR 1hr

   Platform pricing guidance has yet to be delivered by the new financial authorities.

   1. Platform types and whether you need one
   2. How to pick an investment platform
3. 

   Guide to Sustainable and Responsible Investing 1hr

   Ethical and responsible investing is an area clients are often interested in but rarely know much about.

   1. Different shades of ethical and responsible investing
   2. Recent trends in SRI
4. 

   Guide to Fixed Income Investing 1hr

   Regardless of whether the ‘bond bubble’ has burst, fixed income investments offer attractive qualities.

   1. Main principles of fixed income investing
   2. Choosing fixed income investments for my client
5. 

   Guide to Infrastructure Investment 1hr

   In low interest rate environments, investors could use infrastructure to move out of low-yielding bonds into equities.

   1. The roles infrastructure can play in a portfolio
   2. The best time to invest in infrastructure
6. 

   Guide to Alternative Investments 30min

   The catch-all asset class, alternative investments are mostly unregulated and not for unsophisticated clients.

   1. Whether advisers should recommend alternatives
   2. How costs and fees compare between various AIs
7. 

   Guide to FSA Ucis Ban Implications 1hr

   Regulator’s recent Ucis consultation paper has sown confusion through the sector in relation to a number of investments.

   1. Q: What schemes fall under the current definition of Ucis?
   2. Q: How would the pending regulation affect Ucis advice?
8. 

   Guide to Passive Investments 1hr

   With the increased focus on charges that the RDR brings, passive investing is coming increasingly incto the spotlight.

   1. Q: How risky are physical and synthetic ETFs?
   2. Q: Which clients are most suitable for passive investments?
9. 

   Guide to Multi-Manager 1hr

   Many advisers will be thinking about outsourcing investment to a multi-manager fund to comply with the RDR.

   1. Q: What are the pros and cons of multi-manager?
   2. Q: How are the higher charges justifiable?
10. 

    Guide to With-Profits Investments 1hr

    Investors are assured of some protection from the vagaries in the stock market by a ‘smoothing’ process in the level of returns.

    1. Who should invest in with-profits?
    2. How and when to exit with-profits funds

Latest adviser guides from Regulation

1. 

   Guide to Regulation Post-FSA 1hr

   Since the beginning of April 2013 three new regulatory bodies have taken over the supervision of UK financial services.

   1. Supervision of smaller firms under the FCA
   2. New regulatory powers and how they will work
2. 

   Guide to Picking a Platform Post-RDR 1hr

   Platform pricing guidance has yet to be delivered by the new financial authorities.

   1. Platform types and whether you need one
   2. How to pick an investment platform
3. 

   Guide to the Mortgage Advice Market post-MMR 40min

   With the publication of the final Mortgage Market Review rules, a clearer picture is emerging of how mortgage advice will be affected.

   1. What are advisers requirements around mortgage discussions?
4. 

   Guide to Final RDR Preparations 1hr

   1. Q: How do I demonstrate independence?
   2. Q. What do I need to do to finalise my charging structure?
5. 

   Guide to FSA visits

   Like all good boy scouts, smart advisers know it pays to be prepared for anything when the FSA visits.

   1. Q: What is an Arrow visit?
   2. Q: What information does the FSA want?
6. 

   Guide to passing exams - part 2

   There are testing times ahead. This is part two of our guide to passing examinations.
7. 

   Guide to passing exams - part 1

   With a little over a year until the requirement to hold QCF level four qualification comes into force, how do you make sure you pass an examination...read more
8. 

   Guide to the compensation scheme

   The Financial Services Compensation Scheme steps in to help consumers when a firm goes bust.
9. 

   Guide to the ombudsman

   How the Financial Ombudsman Service handles IFAs and what advisers should do to ensure that their dealings with Fos are as smooth as possible are...read more

   1. Q: What is the difference between the FSCS and Fos?
   2. Q: How is the Financial Ombudsman Service funded?

Latest adviser guides from IFA Industry

1. 

   Guide to Regulation Post-FSA 1hr

   Since the beginning of April 2013 three new regulatory bodies have taken over the supervision of UK financial services.

   1. Supervision of smaller firms under the FCA
   2. New regulatory powers and how they will work
2. 

   Guide to Picking a Platform Post-RDR 1hr

   Platform pricing guidance has yet to be delivered by the new financial authorities.

   1. Platform types and whether you need one
   2. How to pick an investment platform
3. 

   Guide to Client Segmentation 1hr

   New regulatory landscape of Retail Distribution Review requires that advisers make changes to their business structure.

   1. How to construct different charging structures
   2. What to do with unprofitable clients
4. 

   Guide to Directly Authorised vs Authorised... 1hr

   Since the collapse of Honister, several advisers have questioned whether going direct is the best route.

   1. What a network or national firm can do for you
   2. Advantages of being directly authorised
5. 

   Guide to the Mortgage Advice Market post-MMR 40min

   With the publication of the final Mortgage Market Review rules, a clearer picture is emerging of how mortgage advice will be affected.

   1. What are advisers requirements around mortgage discussions?
6. 

   Guide to Model Portfolios 1hr

   The use of model portfolio is likely to gain popularity post-Retail Distribution Review.

   1. Q: What is risk-targeted and risk-rated?
   2. Q: What are my requirements under RDR?
7. 

   Guide to Getting Professional Indemnity Insurance 1hr

   This guide will give you ideas about how to reduce your premium and get the right cover.

   1. Q: What can I do to reduce my PII premium?
   2. Q: How do I make sure I am properly covered?
8. 

   Guide to Cash Flow Modelling

   Should cash flow modelling be the crux of the financial planning process, as it is for many advisers, or is it too limited a tool to be useful?

   1. Q: What is cash flow modelling and who is it for?
   2. Q: What are the downsides of cash flow modelling?
9. 

   Guide to Back Office Systems 1hr

   For an efficient advisory firm that wants to make the most of its client data, a few simple spreadsheets are no longer enough.

   1. Q: What are the low-cost options for smaller firms?
   2. Q: How can software help with compliance?
10. 

    Guide to Getting a New Job

    It’s far from easy getting a new job in the present market, but with the right approach you should find a firm with the right fit.

    1. Q: How can I find the right job?
    2. Q: What should I consider if moving to a network?