Sesame Bankhall

Industry insiders have confirmed Friend's Life is touting for bidders for Sesame Bankhall Group as the insurer continues its broader cost-cutting and restructuring plans.

Royal London has joined Sesame Bankhall's restricted advice panel to provide personal and business protection through Bright Grey, and pensions and retirement products through Scottish Life.

Protection is seen as a key growth area by IFAs with almost two thirds optimistic about increasing business in the sector this year.

Advisers are at risk of further FSA action as miscommunication between AIFA and the ABI means many are not aware of critical illness (CI) sales guidelines released last year.

Mortgage advisers are more efficient at selling protection than IFAs, John Cupis tells Paul Robertson, while IFAs have decisions to make

Protection products will be ‘pivotal' to adviser firms' future prosperity, according to Sesame Bankhall.