The world of financial advice can be a difficult one to navigate for those seeking support with their finances. The choice of services, advisers and products is vast, and people may feel overwhelmed with where to start. Misconceptions about the advice industry may also put people off seeking professional financial advice. Many exclude themselves from seeking advice because they wrongly assume it’s only necessary for complex investments or pension planning.

Millions don’t deem themselves ‘worthy’ of needing advice – considering themselves too ...

There is no doubt that great strides have been made in recent years to increase gender diversity in the workplace. However, much more needs to be done in the financial services arena. The Government’s Women in Finance Charter, first launched in 2016, is one notable attempt to build a more balanced and fair industry. The Charter reflects the Government’s aspiration to see gender balance at all levels across financial services firms and particularly in senior jobs.

Gender balance in the workplace is good for business – it is good for customers ...

The demand for financial advice in the UK has increased exponentially in recent years as more customers recognize the need for expert independent support with their finances. They need the help as current stock market volatility is making investment decisions more complex while low interest rates make getting the most from your money more difficult.

Pension freedoms, enabling everyone aged 55-plus to access their pension when they want plus the growing numbers of people starting pensions and investing for their future, means the demand for f ...

Traditionally SMS-based services have been the mainstay of mobile banking, but this has changed in developed markets with the advent of smartphones and the rise of the app economy. As mobile apps become ever more sophisticated, mobile banking is being touted as a more convenient alternative to online banking. The Bank of America was one of the first banks to catch on to mobile banking. Its iPhone app lets its customers pay bills, transfer funds and locate ATMs and banking centers across the country. Due to the functionalities offered by such ap ...

Scandals such as the Panama Papers, Unaoil, and VimpelCom not only highlight the absolute need for robust customer due diligence (CDD), but have spurred the regulatory momentum for enhanced ownership disclosure and transparency. Failure to comply with the new, stricter regime carries significant reputational and financial risk for both corporations and individuals.

But while the penalties are clearly identifiable, peeling back the complex legal structures designed to conceal Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) represents a significant challe ...