Advisers will be able to access extensive insight into global investing at the conference, which is taking place on 15 September in Hemel Hempstead. The event will explore whether global investing can help advisers stand out from the crowd.

Speakers also include Tony Wickenden from Technical Connection, who will be looking to guide advisers through the tax wilderness with an overview of how to get the most out of the post budget landscape for clients.

There will also be an interactive workshop, run by JPMorgan Asset Management, providing a practical and thought provoking look at how changes in legislation can work in advisers’ favour focusing on business development, including engendering professional connections, the art of referrals and introductions and how to segment client books intelligently.

Alastair Conway, Sales & Marketing Director at Cofunds said: “The idea of the event is to give advisers the chance to hear the latest views and opportunities on investing globally from leaders in the market, as well as how to make the tax landscape work for them and their clients.

“For those that cannot make it on the day we have collated a range of independent views that are available here (http://www.cofunds.co.uk/Platform/home.aspx), focusing on global investing and the role it plays in successful portfolio planning.  The event will also be recorded and streamed on our website afterwards”

Other speakers at the event include OBSR, BlackRock, BNY Mellon AM, Henderson Global Investors, L&G, Martin Currie and Schroders.

If you would like to register for the platform conference please click here.

- RADAR maintains overweight equities position at 86.5 per cent

- Highest sector allocation to European equities at +40.9 per cent

Barclays Capital Fund Solutions, the fund management arm of Barclays Capital, made no changes to the portfolio of its Research Analysis Driven (RADAR) Fund in July.

The fund, which is a long short macro tactical asset allocation fund, maintained an overweight position on equities, which accounted for 86.5 per cent. European equities took the highest allocation with +40.9 per cent.

RADAR, which draws on the considerable resources of Barclays Capital’s 800-strong research team for its asset allocation decisions, returned 4.5 percent in July. The fund has outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500 by 2.7 per cent in the last quarter and in July outperformed the HFRX Macro Index by more than 5 per cent.

The fund posted its largest gains from investments in the SPX futures and European Metals and Mining equities. DAX futures and US Technology stocks positions also contributed positively to the performance.

Nathan Bance, Director in UK Investor Solutions at Barclays Capital, said: “We remain confident in our overweight position in European equities, which reflects our preference for European stocks where valuations remain attractive.  Recent numbers in Europe have surprised to the upside whilst in the US the Fed adopted a subdued tone following some disappointing economic data.”

The 15 UK events, which kick off on 7 September in Belfast and finish on 1 October in London, include interactive workshops run by Bankhall, Aviva, MetLife, M&G Investments, Standard Life, Investec Asset Management and Sun Life Financial of Canada. 

The range of topics covered will provide a valuable insight for advisers by examining: 

• The causes of the current poor performance of certain investment areas and where to look for better returns over the coming months;
• Guidance for clients who need their income to last longer in retirement;
• Impact of the removal of compulsory annuity purchase at age 75 and the potential advantages for clients;
• The concept of Behavioural Investment Counselling and understand how this can bring greater certainty to financial planning;
• Understand the latest type of guarantees in order to gauge when and where they might be appropriate for clients. 

Nick Kelly, Managing Director, Distribution for Sesame Bankhall Group said: “These forums are an ideal opportunity for IFA business owners, advisers and paraplanners to understand the latest developments in the wealth management arena. The events will help on a practical day-to-day level, whilst also providing a timely update on important long-term issues such as the impact of the RDR, to ensure that IFAs’ long term plans and preparation are on the right track.”

Bankhall’s professional development forums are open to all IFA firms. For more information please email seminars@bankhall.co.uk or visit www.bankhall.co.uk 

The online matrix includes details of the approved Retail Distribution Review (RDR) qualifications announced by the FSA in its consultation paper 10/14. It has been created to enable advisers to compare ‘at a glance’ the range of options available, along with the total cost and amount of study hours recommended to achieve them.

Advisers have access to all the information they need to make the right choice in three easy steps:

1. Guidance on each qualification, including syllabus content and past papers with model answers; 
2. Information on how to obtain study materials and available discounts;
3. Details of how to book on to the examinations.

Detailed guidance is important given the greater flexibility that advisers now have, with future decisions not necessarily having to be determined by any legacy exams taken previously.

There are no easy options, but choosing a qualification that suits an individual’s existing skill base, knowledge and experience is key. Routes to consider include an option that is structured and time bound; one based on practical issues and ‘real life’ financial planning case studies; or one that concentrates mainly on technical knowledge.

Stephen Young, Chief Operating Officer for Sesame Bankhall Group, said: “Different examinations will suit different people and the key for advisers is to make an informed decision about which route is right for them. Our comprehensive qualifications matrix is a one-stop shop that guides advisers through the exam options available, whilst also enabling them to access revision support and take advantage of discounts negotiated by Sesame Bankhall Group.    

“The FSA has now published the list of approved qualifications and this means advisers have greater clarity and certainty over what is required. But that also means that the drive towards higher professional standards is here to stay, and the pressure on advisers to engage in this process, or risk running out of time, is intensifying.

“Choosing the right examination significantly increases the chances of passing first time. That is why we are committed to continually delivering expert insight, practical solutions and cost effective support.”

This latest development forms part of the comprehensive face-to-face, online and virtual training and development support offered by Sesame and Bankhall to help members with their examinations. The group also works closely with the UK’s leading product providers and professional bodies to deliver valuable support, as well as using its scale in the market to negotiate discounts for members, such as on study materials.

Recent initiatives include the launch of the interactive ‘My Qualifications’ service, which enables advisers following the CII route to build a personalised qualifications roadmap. Sesame also recently launched its RDR Forum to help IFAs prepare for life after 2012, such as moving to adviser charging.

Mark Bridge in The Times focused on the report highlighting that banks need to offer affordable short-term loans as alternatives and that concern over these types of loans has lead to some US states banning them.

Simon Read in The Independent warned consumers are turning to payday loans again and again rather than use them as a last resort as the government funded Consumer Focus calls for the industry to be reformed. In his comment for the Independent on Sunday he fully put the blame for consumers turning to these lenders on the banks shoulders and their ‘couldn’t give a damn attitude’.

In other news, there were oodles of investment stories in this weekend’s money sections, accounting for over a third of all PF stories. Although the range was expansive what caught our eye was the focus on emerging markets opportunities in the FT Money and Mail on Sunday.

Our one to watch this week will be the publication of the latest ONS figures on inflation, rumours are it’s not looking pretty…

Round up of topics was as follows:

Charity                  0%

Credit cards        4%

Fraud/scams      4%

IFAs                       0%

Insurance           9%

Investment       39%

Mortgages         12%

Pensions            7% 

Regulation         1%

Savings               8% 

Tax                       9%

Utilities               7%

The Group is now comprised of the largest mortgage club in the UK under the PMS brand, and Sesame, the leading network for financial advisers, which supports over 2,500 members writing mortgage and insurance business.

John Cupis, Managing Director, PMS said: “Since the merger of Sesame and PMS at the end of 2009, we have brought together two very strong mortgage brands and maintained our market share.  Our integration plans continue to be on track and we remain confident that we will be leading the mortgage market for years to come.”

He added, “We have been busy building propositions for advisers which offer unrivalled choice and value for the tough times ahead.  We have ambitious plans to grow PMS and the Sesame network, and have some major new initiatives in the pipeline for the second half of 2010 aimed at helping brokers grow their businesses beyond just mortgages.”

David Finlay, Intermediary Channel Director, Woolwich mortgages from Barclays said: “These are a great set of results and show the commitment the Sesame Bankhall Group has made to the intermediary mortgage market. They clearly demonstrate how well the recent merger between Sesame and PMS has worked out for both for the brokers and the lenders. Woolwich mortgages from Barclays are delighted to have such a progressive and forward thinking organisation as one of our key strategic partners and we look forward working with them in the challenging times ahead.”

Nigel Stockton, Sales Director – Mortgages, Lloyds Banking Group said: “These results show just how strongly Sesame Bankhall has performed in H1 2010. They are first class. A full 13% of all mortgages in the UK now go through Sesame Bankhall Group and they are by far the largest Intermediary operating in the UK.”

Adrian Whittaker, Key Account Director, Abbey for Intermediaries said: “Sesame Bankhall Group has continued to support the intermediary market throughout the tough market conditions and these results are testament to their continued strength as a mortgage club and network. Santander & Abbey for Intermediaries, look forward to further developing our close partnership with the Group going forward.”

Wealth managers and execution only clients also favoured Strategic Bond and Global Bonds. Indeed, Strategic Bond took first place amongst wealth manager clients and second with the execution only clients.

Product providers (namely underlying collectives supporting pension, bond and SIPP wrappers) were drawn to Corporate Bond funds and for the second month running, Cautious and Balanced Managed Funds made their top six selling sectors.

Christopher James, Director, Institutional Services at Cofunds said: “July saw UK All Companies establish itself as one of the top selling sectors, with M&G Recovery, Legal & General UK Index and M&G Recovery leading the way with wealth managers, execution only and product providers respectively. Two out of our three client bases also gave preference to Corporate Bond funds, so much so that our Product providers clients placed two Corporate Bond funds (M&G Strategic Corporate Bond and M&G High Yield Corporate Bond) , in their top five.”

Cautious Managed took an impressive 30 percent of net sales and 20 percent of gross sales, firmly placing the sector as the highest selling in July. However, despite its success the sector also saw net sales drop six percent from a high of 36 percent market share in May and June.

Corporate Bonds also enjoyed a successful month, accounting for six percent of net sales, up from an average of two percent over the last two months. Propelling Corporate Bond funds back into the top ten were, Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond and M&G Strategic Corporate Bond, which were the seventh and ninth highest selling funds respectively.

Michelle Woodburn, Manager, Fund Group Relations at Cofunds said: “July has been a predominantly positive month for the Cautious Managed sector. Whilst maintaining a strong lead as the highest selling sector, it also suffered a slight decline in net sales market share from the previous two months, suggesting that redemption levels have grown as advisers look to other types of funds and sectors.” 

“July also maintained a diversified theme from the previous month with multimanager funds continuing to flourish as investors looked for a return in uncertain times with broad flexible funds. Two new multi-manager funds in the Cautious Managed sector broke into the top selling list, placing just outside the top 10 at 11^th and 12^th (Aviva Cautious Fund of Funds and Aberdeen Multi Manager).”

Continuing the theme of providers gripping a little too tightly to their purse strings, Esther Shaw in the Express looked at the deluge of consumer complaints that have followed widespread rejections of PPI claims. This, of course, comes on the back of the FSA publishing new measures aimed at fairer treatment of customers buying PPI and the better handling of complaints.

In what is turning into a bad week for the insurance industry, the Mirror took the chance to highlight the problems of the elderly in attaining affordable cover, with Simon Read investigating the plight of those who found that their premiums suddenly shot up when they turned 65.

And, finally, we conclude with Esther Shaw’s expose of the scandal of certain websites charging £10 a time for European Health Insurance cards – which are actually free through official channels.

A round up of topics was as follows:

Charity                  0%

Credit cards        7%

Fraud/scams      16%

IFAs                       0%

Insurance            33%

Investment        0%

Mortgages          17%

Pensions              11%

Regulation          0%

Savings                 16%

Tax                         0%

Utilities                 0%

The 60% loan to value product is priced at 2.35% which is Natwest Base Rate + 1.85% until 30^th November 2012. There is a £999 arrangement fee and overpayments of up to 10% of the loan amount are allowed within the 2 years without penalty. 

Commenting Robert McCoy, Senior Product & Communications Manager at PMS® said “This is an excellent rate for 2 years which takes advantage of the low base rate for house purchase customers. Having secured  this true PMS/Sesame exclusive product, we expect this deal to be very popular.”