Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Friday 22 August 2025. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.
AI tops financial adviser concerns but adoption lags behind
Financial advisers view artificial intelligence as both the greatest challenge and a major opportunity for the profession, although most have yet to embrace the technology, according to new research from Unbiased.
The study by the financial advice platform found that nearly a third of advisers (29%) believe AI and automation represent the biggest upcoming challenge to their industry.
This concern ranks ahead of other pressing issues like rising business costs (16%) and client acquisition and retention (13%).
Mark Sanderson: Rethinking advice for the other nine in ten
In an ideal world, everyone would have easy access to personalised advice to help them with financial planning and the big decisions that come with it.
In reality, that isn’t going to happen. In fact, research from the FCA shows that only 9% of people took regulated advice last year on their pensions and investments.
That leaves nine in every 10 who could potentially have benefited from advice – advice that is becoming more and more necessary.
Women lack confidence in pension planning, PensionBee finds
Women feel less in control of their pensions than men, according to new research from PensionBee, which reveals a stark confidence gap between the sexes when it comes to long-term financial planning.
The survey found that just 24% of women feel “a great deal of control” over their pension savings and retirement plans, compared to 37% of men.
On the other hand, nearly a quarter of women (23%) reported feeling they have “very little control”, with only 16% of men feeling the same.
Quote Of The Day
Although it is undoubtedly considered to be low-hanging fruit, the return of rumours around a tax grab on tax-free cash withdrawals is a little surprising
– Damon Hopkins, head of DC workplace savings at Broadstone, comments on reports that the Treasury may reduce the tax-free pensions cash allowance in the Budget
Stat Attack
Many people in the UK are concerned about their family’s financial security if they were no longer able to provide for them. These worries are particularly strong regarding a partner’s ability to cope alone, a new study found:
72%
of Brits fear their loved ones would not be financially secure for more than a year without them.
38%
of UK adults ‘often’ think about what would happen to their loved ones if they were no longer around.
16%
of Brits say the financial security of their family after their death is a constant worry.
11%
believe their loved ones would not cope financially at all.
37%
estimate their partner would only manage for three months or less without them.
51%
of Brits believe their family would need more than £1,000 a month to cover basic expenses.
Source: Tesco Insurance
In Other News
The Institute for Financial Wellbeing (IFW) has appointed Martin Ruskin as its new chair.
Ruskin, a director at financial planning firm Paradigm Norton, has been a long-time supporter of the IFW.
IFW CEO Nick Marsh said he was “delighted” to have Ruskin at the helm as the organisation plans for its first international event.
Ruskin, a certified financial planner with over 30 years of experience, said he was excited to join at such a pivotal time.
He noted the profession’s positive shift towards a more holistic approach that considers how money impacts overall well-being.
Philippa Hann, CEO of Paradigm Norton, highlighted that the appointment is a “reflection of Martin’s deep commitment to helping people live better lives” through financial planning.
Hoxton Wealth has unveiled a three-year, four-stage Financial Planner Pathway Programme to train the next generation of advisers and tackle a looming skills gap in the profession.
The programme begins at Hoxton’s Dubai headquarters and combines technical knowledge with client relationship and business development skills.
Trainees are mentored by experienced planners and supported with inbound leads to build early success.
Hoxton has recruited four British trainees this year and plans to take on another four in autumn.
Trainees start on £24,000, with earning potential of up to £120,000 by the end of the programme.
Unlike commission-only roles, Pathway offers full employment, a clear career framework and long-term growth opportunities.
UK retailers say Budget tax hikes risk hitting living standards (Reuters)
EU speeds up plans for digital euro after US stablecoin law (Financial Times)
US stocks fall for fifth day in a row ahead of key Fed speech (Sky News)
Did You See?
Many small firms lack an official policy on bullying and harassment. This not only lets down staff but may expose employers to regulatory risk once the FCA’s rule change kicks in, writes Laura Purkess.
From next September, bullying and harassment will be treated as misconduct across all regulated financial firms.
The regulator says that, in the past, it has often been unclear when these types of behaviour would amount to a conduct rules breach in a firm other than a bank, so this change aims to bring consistency across financial services.