This Financial Times article dated 8 Sep 08 discusses the potential for banks to break into the platform space post the RDR (Retail Distribution Review) - since the time of writing however one suspect

This week we have announced the deal between Tata Asset Management and New Star - see links for details

http://www.newstaram.com/uk/individual-investor/press-office/pr/tata_par...

See article in Investment Adviser 22 Nov 07

http://www.ftadviser.com/default.aspx?m=11173&amid=122964

See article in Money Marketing 22 Nov 07
http://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=154588&d=340&h=341&f...

Refer to this edition of FT FM for editorial on the recent report I have co-authored with Lipper FERI - The UK Fund Platform Report (Sep 07) or contact me for a pdf copy.

See link to a recent article in Cicero Consulting's Monthly Policy Briefer. Why is the whole industry so focussed on platforms merely as vehicles for the high net worth client and/or IFAs?

This recent paper advocates a largely principles-based approach to regulation and in the main I think is constructive and useful.

One question I get asked a lot by clients is how to structure and present fees on a wrap platform - should they be bundled or unbundled?

Otto Thorensen, the UK CEO of Aegon, has been appointed by the Treasury to produce recommendations on Generic Financial Advice, which is the currently rather dry way of describing affordable, personal

"The timing of Mifid coincides rather neatly with the FSA's review of wraps and how and to what extent these hybrid creatures should be regulated.