Suitability of Advice in the Wealth Management Sector
The Problem
A large Wealth Management provider found themselves at risk from Regulatory intervention, as they needed to improve the Suitability of Advice their Investment Managers provided to the customer base. With some 400 individuals providing services to clients, there was a clear need for a more robust method of managing the competence of individuals.
The way in which the team operated was to provide a “Discretionary and Advisory Service” for high net worth individuals who needed an Investment Manager to oversee their portfolios.
The Solution
CTP undertook a review of the whole business and the way in which competence was structured, managed and evidenced. Discussions were undertaken with the management teams responsible for the Investment Managers to identify the current position with regards to the provision of Suitable Advice. It was identified that, while the Investment Managers were expert in dealing with their client needs, they and the management teams were not as focused as they could have been in dealing with managing and developing their own competence.
As a result, the CTP team worked with the business to develop a Competence Framework. This consisted of introducing a performance measurement process in order to help assess Suitability that included links to key business KPIs such as Complaint Handling, Investment Performance (Portfolio Management) and Annual Competence Assessments. In addition, in preparation for RDR Compliance, CTP worked with the senior management team to implement a formal CPD programme that will take the Investment Managers through to the 2012 deadline with Gap Fill and beyond in conjunction with the new SPS requirements.
The Results
- Senior Management actively driving the “quality & suitability” culture within the organisations
- Greater levels of competence demonstrated across the business
- Key KPI’s established and measured for all individuals within the “Discretionary and Advisory” role
- Improved level of Suitability of Advice evidenced across the business
- RDR ready in terms of developing evidence for CPD Gap Fill
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this case study please email enquiries@ctp.uk.com or call 020 3170 5779.