IFAonline catch-up: Top 10 most-read

You’d think, wouldn’t you, in a week of both the Budget and RDR, it’d be fairly easy to pick the most-read story on IFAonline? So get ready for a surprise…

Predictably, the Budget, coming two days before the release of the FSA's latest RDR papers on Wednesday, dominated last week's top 10.

But the RDR begins our countdown. Simply click on the headlines to read the stories in full.

10). Lots of RDR headlines...so what actually happened today?

As always on RDR day, advisers' inboxes are inundated with emails outlining every policy development. So, here, we decided to outline the FSA's main announcements.

9). RDR platform paper: FSA to target charging, incentives and re-reg

The FSA's Sheila Nicoll hinted, ahead of the release of a Discussion Paper on platforms, the regulator will hone in on rebates, transparency of charging and action the FSA can take to aid re-registration.

8). Budget 2010: Darling's key points

We decided to go all BBC and list the Chancellor's key messages as they were announced.

7). Advisers back plans for FSA mortgage suitability letters

Mortgage advisers have given their support to FSA proposals to introduce mortgage suitability letters. But this didn't go down all too well with IFAonline readers, who said they had been doing this "for years".

6). AWD to double adviser salaries in recruitment drive

AWD Chase de Vere is set to announce an overhaul of its remuneration strategy as the company seeks to boost its adviser base by 15%.
Advisers' base salaries will at least double while bonuses will be more closely linked to what it calls "assets under influence" (AUM) and recurring revenue business.

5). Budget 2010: CGT relief doubled for entrepreneurs

Alistair Darling has doubled the entrepreneurial relief for capital gains tax (CGT) in a bid to make it more attractive for what he called "wealth creators and innovators" to set up their own businesses.

4). Budget 2010: Good news for your clients?

There was good news for first-time buyers and the ISA allowance represents OK news for savers...but there wasn't much else. Advisers give their verdicts.

3). Budget 2010: Darling reveals lending targets for RBS and Lloyds

The Chancellor has announced new targets for lending for the state-aided banks, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

RBS, which is 84% owned by the taxpayer and Lloyds, which is 41% owned by the taxpayer, will now have to make £94bn available in loans to small businesses. At least half of this lending must be to small and medium-sized firms.

2). Budget 2010: Small business boost as rates slashed for a year

The Government will slash business rates for a year and create a £4bn support fund to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Business rates will be cut for one year from October, meaning a tax reduction for 500,000 small firms in England, Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in today's Budget.

And so to our number one

1). Pensioners found guilty of torturing financial adviser

A gang of pensioners has been found guilty of kidnapping and torturing their financial adviser.

Financial adviser James Amburn was kidnapped by two retired couples when investments they made in US property fell in value.

While the US sub-prime mortgage crisis was largely responsible for their losses, they instead chose to blame their adviser.

They had initially tried to recover their money through the courts, but when that failed they turned to kidnap.