Money Marketing’s Weekly Must-Reads: Top 10 Stories
Every week brings its own set of challenges and opportunities in the financial services world, and the past seven days have been no different: from a £200m deal for intelliflo to a warning from former pensions minister Ros Altman that the government’s inheritance tax plan could cause chaos for pensions.
Here are the ten most-read stories on Money Marketing from the past week:
Ros Altmann: The Government’s IHT plan risks chaos for pensions
Former pensions minister Ros Altmann has warned that the government’s inheritance tax shake-up risks creating “chaos” for pensions.
She branded the 2027 proposals unworkable and likely to put people off saving altogether. The changes, she argued, could leave bereaved families tangled in legal wrangles, tax traps and unexpected financial liabilities.
Invesco sells intelliflo to Carlyle in deal worth up to $200m
There was a big shake-up in the world of financial technology this week, with investment firm Carlyle purchasing intelliflo from Invesco in a deal worth up to $200m.
The transaction saw intelliflo’s US subsidiaries become a separate business, allowing the UK-based company to focus on its home and Australian markets, while its US counterpart will concentrate on advisers there.
FNZ employees secure early court win in $4.6bn case
Employees pursuing a $4.6bn class-action lawsuit against FNZ Group and its directors scored an early win in a New Zealand court.
The judge, Justice Isac, dismissed FNZ’s attempt to halt the proceedings, which had included seven separate documents, saying that they had “fallen on the Registry like snow”.
This initial victory allowed the case, which alleges that directors intentionally moved wealth away from employee shareholders, to proceed.
Behind the Headlines: Will advice go the way of banking?
Following the banking sector’s lead, the financial advice industry has seen a wave of consolidation, with almost 1,000 fewer firms since 2022.
Laura Purkess explored how this trend, while sometimes offering benefits like reduced fees, can also create headaches. Clients are sometimes left with a decline in service, while the process can be “exhausting” for sellers.
Martin Lockyer: The importance of independence in financial advice
Martin Lockyer wrote that in today’s financial landscape, true independence is under threat as many firms are being sold to consolidators.
He argued that independence is crucial for objectivity, allowing advisers to recommend the best products for their clients without bias.
While acknowledging the challenges of regulatory burden, Lockyer maintained that independence remains valuable and ethically sound. He encouraged firms to “hold the line”.
MM Unpacked: Financial scams, pensions IHT U-turn & FCA culture clash
In the second episode of ‘MM Unpacked’, the team discussed the government’s surprising decision to include unused pensions in inheritance tax, examining the industry’s reaction.
They also explored the increasing prevalence of financial scams and the rise of apprenticeships as a new path into financial advice, while unpacking the Financial Conduct Authority’s ongoing efforts to tackle toxic workplace cultures.
FCA scam reports near 5,000 in six months
The FCA recently revealed that it received nearly 5,000 scam reports in the first half of 2025, with fraudsters impersonating the regulator to trick victims.
A concerning 480 people were duped into transferring money, often involving claims of recovered crypto funds or assistance for loan scam victims.
The FCA urged vigilance, advising people to be wary of unprompted contact and to never share sensitive personal details.
AIM will deliver exceptional growth, says Octopus Investments
In a new study, Octopus Investments argued that the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is poised for exceptional growth despite recent weakness.
The report highlighted that while AIM’s valuation has dropped, profits and earnings have risen by almost 60% since 2021.
This disconnect, according to Octopus, created a compelling buying opportunity, with the AIM junior index set to outperform both the Nasdaq and FTSE 100.
Mark Harries: The days of easy money are gone
Mark Harries argued that the era of effortless returns from US equities was over, as investor sentiment toward the market had begun to cool.
He emphasised that diversification is a crucial tool for protecting portfolios against an uncertain economic backdrop.
Harries explained that diversifying across asset classes, geographies and sectors — and not just between equities and bonds — could help minimise risk and smooth returns over the long term.
ValidPath’s CBO programme created due to ‘lack of options for advisers looking to retire’
Due to a “lack of options” for retiring financial advisers, ValidPath launched a new Client Buyout (CBO) programme.
The initiative was created to help older advisers sell their client books to younger ValidPath members, providing a comprehensive solution for succession and acquisition.
The programme offers a smooth transition, including matchmaking, valuation and finance management, giving sellers peace of mind that their clients will be well looked after.
