Nottingham-based Financial Planner Wren Sterling has expanded into Northern Ireland with the acquisition of Ralston Bennett Financial Planning and Aspects Financial.

Professional Independent Wealth Advice (PIWA), part of the now M&G Wealth-owned Sandringham Financial Partners, has hired a new joint CEO and new COO from Abrdn.

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned regulated firms who ignore its upcoming Consumer Duty deadline to expect “swift action.”

The financial management arm of Scottish law firm Gilson Gray has acquired boutique wealth manager and fellow St James’s Place network firm Wilson Financial.

Fast growing wealth manager and Financial Planner Perspective Group has expanded into Northern Ireland as it acquires four more financial advice firms, adding £240m in Assets Under Management.

Expanding Financial Planner and wealth manager Fairstone has acquired £450m FUM Essex-based IFA Sacre Associates.

An interest rate increase tomorrow (Thurs) could boost annuity incomes further, despite rates already being 19% higher than this time last year.

Copia Capital Management has launched five risk-rated portfolios to address decumulation risks and help advisers meet the new Consumer Duty rule to, “avoid causing foreseeable harm.”

Wealth manager and Financial Planner Succession Wealth - recently bought by Aviva for £385m - has acquired £170m AUA Edinburgh-based IFA Spence & Spence for an undisclosed sum.

Investment markets are moving into a new “golden age” of strong dividend returns, according to a global equities investment manager.