The FCA has published guidance to support firms seeking to provide simplified advice or sales without a recommendation. The guidance, which incorporates and replaces previous guidance, has been issued following ongoing FCA policy work and a thematic review into the growth of new advice models, including simplified advice. 

In particular, the FCA provides advice for firms interested in offering an automated advice service by clarifying when a personal recommendation is given and providing examples to illustrate the point. The guidance also contains information on the boundaries between a range of investment sales models and advice issued through different media, including social media.

Next steps. The deadline for comments is 10 October 2014.

Copies of the

Consultation paper; http://bit.ly/1mR8hm3

 Thematic review; and  http://bit.ly/W6JyQQ

 Related press release; http://bit.ly/1qrivci