Amanda Newman Smith

London

Features Writer at Money Marketing

Tweets from Money Marketing feature writer Amanda Newman Smith

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Articles

In Focus: Do advisers need more training around vulnerability?

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

Having awareness of clients in vulnerable circumstances and giving them the support they need are part and parcel of being an adviser, due to regulatory requirements. The Financial Conduct Authority’s recent review found that, although there were many positives — such as firms offering flexible and tailored support to clients in vulnerable circumstances — improvements still needed to be made.
Is the way advisers communicate with clients hitting the mark?

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

One of the talking points within the financial advice profession is the ‘great wealth transfer’, whereby a huge amount of wealth is starting to pass from older to younger generations. It means advisers increasingly have to cater for clients of different generations, whose expectations may vary greatly. This is perhaps why different strands of the financial services industry are moving — or needing a slight nudge — in seemingly opposite directions.
What do changing perceptions of wealth mean for financial advice?

2 weeks ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

Most of us would describe people who earn an annual six-figure sum as ‘wealthy’, given that the average salary in the UK is just under £35,000 a year. But HSBC’s recent report, ‘Your Money’s Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025’, shows that just one in 10 people earning £100,000 or more would see themselves as wealthy.
In Focus: Are the days of the annual review numbered?

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

One of the things advisers need to do for their clients is provide them with annual reviews. This requirement was introduced by the Retail Distribution Review at the end of 2012, which created a contractual obligation for advisers to provide an ongoing service in return for the fee they charged. An annual review of investment portfolios is also a requirement under Mifid II, which came into effect in 2018.
Should wealthy clients act now ahead of the IHT pension changes?

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

Pensions are an excellent estate-planning tool for high-net-worth (HNW) clients because they usually fall outside someone’s estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes. This has meant wealthy clients have been able to save into pensions with the intention of passing their pots to loved ones free of IHT when they die. But this is set to change in April 2027, when pensions will form part of a deceased’s taxable estate.
Should female-run advice firms remain in female hands?

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is to ‘accelerate action’ around gender equality. But to what extent are female-run advice firms responsible for developing female talent? Is it important to keep their business in female hands, or does succession have to prioritise the right fit for clients regardless of gender?
FA2B: Could a financial adviser apprenticeship be right for you?

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith

A tried-and-tested pathway to becoming a financial adviser is to start in administration and move into paraplanning first. But some may prefer a direct route. From an advice firm’s perspective, training someone from scratch is perhaps the best way to ensure they fit with the values of the firm and with the existing team. However, many firms may be put off by assumptions around what they would need to invest in new talent.
Podcast: IWD stands for nothing unless certain attitudes change

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Kimberley Dondo |Momodou Musa Touray |Amanda Newman Smith

In this Weekend Essay, Dan Cooper examines why International Women’s Day risks becoming an empty gesture unless attitudes towards harassment and discrimination in financial services truly change. Progress has been made, but there is still much to do. Listen now:
How one retiree’s YouTube videos are helping clients through retirement

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Amanda Newman Smith |Cathi Harrison |Darius McQuaid

There is no shortage of information available for people who are at or near retirement. Pension providers, financial advisers, government services and organisations such as Age UK provide all kinds of help for people at this stage of their lives. Chatting with friends and family can also help retirees get to grips with retirement as everyone will have some thoughts.
Advice firms positive about revenue growth amid market turmoil

1 month ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Momodou Musa Touray |Kimberley Dondo |Amanda Newman Smith |Salome Asabre

Over two-thirds of UK financial planning firms have a positive outlook for growth in the coming 12 months, despite market turmoil impacting their businesses. The latest survey of 200 senior leaders of financial planning firms found that 70% are optimistic about the next year. While 47% were confident of growing their revenues, 23% said they were very confident about it. Additionally, 84% expect assets under management (AUM) to increase, with just 16% of firms expecting no growth.