20/01/2012 - Legacy Commission Ban Will Hit Ongoing Service

Legacy Commission Ban Will Hit Ongoing ServiceLegacy Commission Ban Will Hit Ongoing Service.

The Financial Services Authority’s (FSA’s) consultation last November on the treatment of legacy assets confirmed its intention to ban legacy commission, but this ban will penalise advisers focused on providing ongoing advice and will undermine the aims of the RDR.

The FSA defines legacy commission as additional commission that may become payable on legacy assets where there has been a change or addition to the product or investment after the RDR.

According to Steven Cameron, head of regulatory strategy at Aegon, there has been an increase in advisers looking to build a sustainable business model which remunerates them for ongoing services to their customers. If the FSA were to require future commission on existing assets to be switched off, these advisers will be particularly penalised.