"Predictable outcome" products proposed to help restore trust in UK financial services

The FSCP has called for the introduction of a range of straightforward "predictable outcome" products to reverse the loss of consumer trust experienced in the financial services sector. Changes to the advisory model through the introduction of the RDR and consumer demand for transparency and simplicity give strong weight to this proposal.

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$14.2tn global offshore market relocates to more legitimate and safe shores

The total amount of deposits and mutual funds held by non-residents in 12 of the largest offshore centers reached a post-crisis high of $14.2tn in 2011. However, this was still below the 2007 peak. Increased pressure on offshore centers to clean up their acts has limited their role as bases for tax avoidance for companies and individuals, to the benefit of safe havens such as the US and the UK.

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'A-day' will widen the gap between rich and poor pensioners

Britain's pension system is about to undergo its most radical overhaul of the past 50 years. From April 6, 2006 - 'A-Day' - the current eight sets of pension taxation rules will be replaced by one. It is widely held that the simplified system will be attractive to those with some disposable income or who wish to make retirement provision but were deterred by the complexities of the former system.

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'Green' or ethical financial services set to become more mainstream

Socially responsible investing or ethical funds have never been so popular. The European ethical wealth management market is now worth E1 trillion, and ethical wealth management looks set to grow in popularity. Indeed, it appears ethical wealth management is not just a fashionable fad, and impressive returns suggest it will become a significant feature of Europe's wealth management landscape.

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'Universal bank': doubts over government plan

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'Vote with your feet': bank critics urge consumers to move their money

A group of politically active bloggers from the Huffington Post have encouraged American consumers to move their money out of large US banks that accepted taxpayers' money and into struggling community banks. This campaign and others like it highlight the effectiveness of social media in uniting consumers and driving change, and the big banks should not underestimate its power.

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2007 still set to be a record year for UK mortgage lenders

The financial services industry has seen the most dramatic fallout so far from the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, with events at Northern Rock leading to the first 'run on a bank' in the UK in over 100 years. However, despite these recent events, the UK mortgage market is still expecting to see record lending for the year, while a slowdown has been forecasted for 2008.

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2007 will be one of the most challenging years in contact center outsourcing's history

Coming hot on the heels of UK bank Lloyds TSB's announcement that it is to move its contact center operations from Mumbai to the UK, a new report has revealed that contact center outsourcing providers are set to face tremendous challenges with the emergence of late-adopting vertical markets. Indeed, vendors are struggling to adapt industry-specific solutions to both new and established clients.

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2010 UK Budget: bank accounts for all

The British Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has announced plans in his 2010 Budget to broaden access to financial services by compelling banks to provide accounts to all consumers, regardless of their financial status. However, the extra costs that this proposal may impose on banks could encourage them to levy monthly fees on all account holders in an effort to maintain profit levels.

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2013: brighter prospects for competition in UK retail banking

Although the level of competition in UK retail banking has remained stubbornly low despite the disruptive effects of the 2008 financial crisis, there will be substantial changes in 2013. Relaxed capital requirements for new entrants, easier account-switching procedures, and the launch of bank accounts by at least two high-profile new entrants will significantly alter the landscape.

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