We enter 2011 with a number of the regulatory themes we witnessed in 2010 coming closer to fruition. If you haven’t read it already, my article from last year on “20 things to do in the next 500 days” is instructive- though as the attached work in progress gridreports, new initiatives requiring your attention are coming forward on a regular basis, whilst the number of project days left to deliver them is rapidly reducing.
The Schoolteachers Friendly Society (SFS) has today announced plans to transfer engagements with the Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity Friendly Society (the Oddfellows), one of the largest and oldest friendly societies in the United Kingdom.
24 January 2011
John Reeve, Chief Executive of Family Investments, is the new Chair of AFM, following the announcement last year by Mike Yardley that he is stepping down as CEO of Royal London.
AFM has launched a new educational website, aimed at helping children aged 7 to 11 learn about money matters; get the full press release.
“While RDR is due for implementation at the end of next year, even if all the proposals had been finalised this would be a very tight timetable for providers, with significant costs and disruption to business.
“The mutual sector has always been the natural home of saving for children. AFM members worked hard to develop the Child Trust Fund market when banks and insurers largely ignored it, and our members have over half of all CTFs.
Insurers' use of gender as a factor in assessing risk is under threat from an opinion of Advocate General Juliane Kokott submitted to the European Court in September who believes that this goes against the fundamental principles of equality.
Fun to save, the website developed by the Association of Financial Mutuals has been formally accredited by pfeg- the government body responsible for helping schools plan and teach financial capability.
AFM was one of the sponsors of the Mutual Manifesto, which challenged all political parties to show they understand the mutual sector and proposed ways in which the government can better enable mutuals to compete more equally with shareholder-owned companies and protect the public interest. It was launched in early 2010, but the recommendations still hold true. Click here to download the Manifesto.