Majority of Advisers Expect Significant Changes to Processes for Compliance with Consumer Duty, Says Aviva

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Majority of Advisers Expect Significant Changes to Processes for Compliance with Consumer Duty, Says Aviva

(IN BRIEF) A new survey by Aviva has found that over 80% of advisers in the UK believe that the upcoming Consumer Duty regulation feels like a rebranded version of TCF (Treating Customers Fairly). However, the Consumer Duty ranks low on a list of adviser concerns, with inflation, the cost of living, and the energy crisis taking the top spots. Additionally, one in three advisers said their firm had not appointed a Consumer Duty champion, despite it being a requirement by October 31, 2022. The majority of advisers said that complying with the Consumer Duty will require significant changes to their processes, including carrying out fresh due diligence on platforms they use.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 25-Mar-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —With less than 150 days to go until the launch date of 31st July, new research from Aviva1 shows advisers in relaxed mood about the impending implementation of the Consumer Duty.

When asked, over 8 in 10 (84%) agreed with the statement ‘Consumer Duty feels like a rebranded TCF’. 41% said they have started their preparations, with a further 26% saying they had not started but are clear about what they need to do. 17% said they had no concerns.

Consumer Duty also appeared low down on a list of adviser concerns – ranking 11th out of 14.  By contrast, the main concerns were listed as being inflation (mentioned by 39%), cost of living and the energy crisis (34%) and recession (32%).

One in three said their firm hasn’t appointed a Consumer Duty champion – despite this being a requirement by October 31st last year – casting doubt on whether all obligations are truly appreciated.

Al Ward, Head of Aviva’s adviser platform, commented: “The Consumer Duty arguably represents the biggest shift in the regulation of financial services in more than a decade. It puts customers at the heart of all our businesses. It would be misguided to see it as a rebranding of TCF. The change is much more fundamental than that.

“In the words of the FCA, the Consumer Duty “raises the bar”. I agree. It is demanding a cultural shift that truly places the customer at the heart of everything we do. And, crucially, it will measure us against outcomes, not just actions.”

A majority of advisers said that compliance with the Consumer Duty will demand significant changes in their processes.

In a change that will have implications for platform providers, two-thirds (67%) of advisers said they will be carrying out fresh due diligence on the platforms they use, and 60% thought that their due diligence processes will change.

Al Ward added: “One of the most important changes that the Consumer Duty will demand of us is that we must provide evidence that we are delivering good outcomes. Whilst it’s encouraging to see a majority of advisers anticipating significant changes in their customer processes, I would invite advisers who feel no change is necessary to reconsider.”

Aviva hosts a dedicated Consumer Duty hub on its adviser website to support advisers.

Summary: ten reasons why the Consumer Duty is not just a rebranded TCF

1. From fair to good: The Consumer Duty expects us to support ‘good’ outcomes for those we serve, not just ‘fair’ outcomes. The bar is higher.

2. From actions to outcomes: The Consumer Duty shifts the focus from the actions we are taking to the outcomes we are delivering. We will be judged against these outcomes, not just against our ability to comply with a tick-box list of obligations.

3. From words to evidence: The Consumer Duty demands that we evidence how we are supporting good outcomes. Warm words, or even an absence of complaints, will not pass this test.

4. From understandable to understood: It remains a requirement that our communications are “fair, clear and not misleading”. The Consumer Duty demands evidence that our communications are understandable and understood by those who receive them.

5. For vulnerable customers: Millions of people in the UK will carry vulnerabilities at any one time, be they related to health, life events, financial resilience, or personal capability. The Consumer Duty requires us to give these needs renewed consideration.

6. For fair value: The Consumer Duty demands that we put in writing why we believe our products and services represent value today, and on an ongoing basis.

7. Focus on inaction, as well as action: The Consumer Duty will judge us against actions we may not be taking, as well as those we are, in our responsibility to support good outcomes.

8. From one end of the chain to the other: Many in the distribution chain are involved in the delivery of good customer outcomes. The Consumer Duty will not allow us to observe poor practice but say “it’s nothing to do with me”. We’re all in this together.

9. For the good of those we serve: The FCA is not driving this change for fun. It sees a need to change, and it is using the Consumer Duty to get us there. We can expect the FCA to check we’re all playing our part.

10. Forever: The Consumer Duty is not a once-and-done exercise. Each business must complete an annual review of its compliance. This one is not going away.

Notes to editors:

  • We are one of the UK’s leading Insurance, Wealth & Retirement businesses and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in India, China and Singapore.
  • We help our 18.7 million customers make the most out of life, plan for the future, and have the confidence that if things go wrong we’ll be there to put it right.
  • We have been taking care of people for more than 325 years, in line with our purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2022, we paid £23.2 billion in claims and benefits to our customers.
  • Aviva is a market leader in sustainability. In 2021, we announced our plan to become Net Zero by 2040, the first major insurance company in the world to do so. This plan means Net Zero carbon emissions from our investments by 2040; setting out a clear pathway to get there with a cut of 25% in the carbon intensity of our investments by 2025 and of 60% by 2030; and Net Zero carbon emissions from our own operations and supply chain by 2030.  Find out more about our climate goals at www.aviva.com/climate-goals and our sustainability ambition and action at www.aviva.com/sustainability
  • While we are working towards our sustainability ambitions, we acknowledge that we have relationships with businesses and existing assets that may be associated with significant emissions. More information can be found at www.aviva.com/sustainability/climate/
  • Aviva is a Living Wage and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at https://www.aviva.com/about-us/our-people/
  • As at 31 December 2022, total Group assets under management at Aviva Group were £352 billion and our estimated Solvency II shareholder surplus is £8.7 billion. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.
  • For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us
  • The Aviva newsroom at www.aviva.com/newsroom includes links to our spokespeople images,  podcasts, research reports and our news release archive. Sign up to get the latest news from Aviva by email.
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Media Contact:

Catherine Comben
UK Insurance Media Relations
Phone: +44 (0) 7800 692 087
Email:

SOURCE: Aviva

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