News

25.11.2008
EQI Consultancy announce Price Freeze
For the third year running EQI Consultancy has decided to freeze prices across the whole product range. Speaking at the press launch of the 2009 Price Freeze, Managing Director Andrea Owen said, "The marketplace has been tough for Advisers this year and we believe that it is important to reflect this and to continue to give real value for money to our clients. This third successive Price Freeze means that at least until the end of 2009 our clients will still be paying 2006 prices".

20.06.2008
EQI Adopt a Charity
We have adopted the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace as our primary charity. Based in Warrington, the Foundation is dedicated to providing conflict resolution programmes and activities that benefit children, young people, adults, schools and communities everywhere. Each year approximately 4,000 people take part in their programmes covering issues of conflict resolution, citizenship, social and moral responsibility, peer mediation and mentoring. For more details click here

21.04.2008
EQI Consultancy expand Adviser Utility Service
As part of our ongoing commitment to improve our service we have expanded our Adviser Utility Service to include access to a Commissions Club for IFAs and Mortgage Advisers. The Commissions club provides market leading commission rates for Protection, Pensions and Investments. The Commission enhancements are available to clients on EQI Lite and Core product options. The rates quoted are the rates that you receive with no hidden charges or percentage pay away. For more information, please complete the enquiry form on our Commissions Club page.

08.04.2008
EQI Consultancy launches new RMAR Completion Service
The FSA has fined a firm based in Yorkshire for failing to maintain adequate capital and for providing misleading financial information. FSA inquiries found that the firm failed to ensure that it maintained adequate financial resources from the date it became authorised and, that its regulatory returns indicated that it had the required loans in place and provided the FSA with misleading loan agreements which did not match those countersigned and held on file by the regulator.
Jonathan Phelan, Head of Retail Enforcement stated that “the fine sends out a clear warning to the industry that the way in which firms conduct their business and the way they interact with the FSA are as important as ensuring that individual rules are not breached.”
Correct completion of your RMAR is vital as this can be the only regular contact that you have with the FSA. If you feel that you need a little extra help, why not talk to us about our RMAR completion service. The cost can be spread monthly. We complete the RMAR for you and submit it to the FSA every 6 months.

16.03.2008
FSA announce TCF Visits
Many Advisers have received a letter from the FSA entitled TCF Assessment and Roadshow Invitation. The letter is confirmation that the firm in question will receive a TCF visit later in the year along with an invitation to attend a TCF Roadshow.

This is part of the FSAs target to visit 25% of firms this year and should be used as an opportunity to demonstrate that The Firm has adopted robust management procedures with regard to TCF.

If you feel that a review would be helpful at this stage, please click on the link below and get in touch.
mail@eqionline.co.uk

We have included some useful hints and tips here to get things started.

Hints and Tips
Attend the FSA Roadshow – It is free and the FSA expect you to engage with them.
Review results of File Audits – This is an ideal way demonstrating quality of advice.
Identify areas of most risk – Then review your procedures in these areas.
Review Adviser Training Files – Check that these are up to date and relevant.
It is not only important to review these areas but also to react to the findings of a review. We are always happy to help so, give us a call.


16.03.2008
EQI Consultancy launch TCF Visit Drill
We have prepared a half day TCF Visit Drill which is designed to simulate an FSA TCF Visit. Don’t worry, there are no role plays, we will simply ask the questions that you are likely to be asked and talk through your responses. Clients who have already completed this have found it to be highly valuable and a great way to boost confidence and prepare for a visit.

TCF Visit Drills are charged at £250 +VAT and as they are proving very popular are available on a strictly first come first served basis.
If you would like to find out more please give us a call on 01925 751 501