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11 November 2020 | Comment | Article by Neil Stockdale

The latest from the FSCS


Between March and October the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) declared 45 firms in default, including two self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) and 30 advice firms.

The FSCS is the industry’s lifeboat fund or fund of last resort. It’s mission is to provide a trusted compensation service to the customers of financial service firms that are in default, which is a technical term used to describe a firm that has failed or is unable to satisfy claims brought against it.

The firms declared in default include two firms facing claims relating to advice on pension transfers.

The first firm, S&M Hughes Limited, trading as Crescent Financial was a Swansea based firm caught up in the British Steel transfers. Thousands of British Steel employees were advised to transfer their defined benefit, final salary pensions, sacrificing guaranteed benefits and in some cases, thousands of pounds of their retirement pot.

The other firm, Kingsway Wealth Management, based in Manchester was a firm that found itself in hot water as a result of the negligent advice rendered by its appointed representative, Pension Transfers Limited. As the principal firm, it was responsible for the actions of Pension Transfers Limited and their liabilities.

In addition, two providers of self-invested personal pension plans have been placed in default. Both firms were known to have been facing large numbers of Financial Ombudsman Service claims having accepted unregulated and high-risk investments into their SIPPs without carrying out appropriate due diligence.

  1. Guinness Mahon – Read more here
  2. Pointon York

If you think you might have received poor advice from a firm in default or transferred your pension into one of the SIPPs listed above, you may be entitled to seek compensation.

Hugh James’s Financial Mis-Selling team are experienced in the FSCS process having successfully represented hundreds of individuals in their FSCS claims and can help you too. Contact us today for a free, no obligation discussion.

Author bio

Neil Stockdale

Partner

Neil is head of the firm’s group actions and financial mis-selling teams, specialising in handling claims for financial mis-selling relating to energy contracts, pensions, investments and timeshares.

Disclaimer: The information on the Hugh James website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. If you would like to ensure the commentary reflects current legislation, case law or best practice, please contact the blog author.

 

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