FSA 'dissatisfied' with Money Advice Service accountability

clock

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) board has expressed concerns about the accountability of the Money Advice Service (MAS).

Minutes of the board's June meeting show the issue was raised when discussing FSA chairman Lord Turner's recent (20 June) appearance before the Treasury Select Committee (TSC).

"The Board continued to be dissatisfied with the accountability arrangements and requested that this be discussed at the July Board," the minutes recount.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that the chair and CEO of the MAS, Gerard Lemos and Tony Hobman respectively, would attend the July meeting of the board.

Once it had received the MAS's annual report assessing the service's achievements against specified performance measures, it said it would then "provide [an] appropriate challenge" to the pair.

The MAS came under severe criticism during the recent TSC hearings, during which one MP described it as a 'playground bully'.

MPs also questioned the lack of detail in the service's annual plans, while Hoban's remuneration package came under scrutiny.

Embattled CEO Hobman has since announced his resignation from the organisation, which is aiming to find a successor by the autumn.

Launched in April 2011, the Money Advice Service is tasked with providing free and independent information to help consumers needing practical money advice, funded by FSA levy-payers, including financial advisers

It also has a separate debt advice coordination remit, although this is largely funded by lenders.

More on Regulation

Most firms unable to meet bereavement claims performance levels: FCA

Most firms unable to meet bereavement claims performance levels: FCA

Call for improved bereavement handling times

Cameron Roberts
clock 22 November 2024 • 3 min read
Record-high receipts for IPT and employer NICs

Record-high receipts for IPT and employer NICs

HMRC data

Cameron Roberts
clock 21 November 2024 • 2 min read
Chancellor targets FOS modernisation and FCA consultation

Chancellor targets FOS modernisation and FCA consultation

Consultation part of the advice guidance boundary review

Isabel Baxter
clock 15 November 2024 • 3 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read