The FCA has imposed restrictions on independent financial adviser Advantage Wealth Management Ltd (AWM), which means it must not dispose of any assets or conduct any regulated activities without the written consent of the FCA. The action follows concerns that AWM is not being managed in a way that ensures that its affairs are conducted in a sound and prudent manner. We issued a First Supervisory Notice (PDF)on 22 December 2025, outlining further details about our concerns and the basis for imposing the restrictions:Treatment of customers– the FCA has concerns about the circumstances in which several AWM customers had their investments moved into cash holdings.Appropriate financial resources– the FCA is not satisfied that AWM has or will have appropriate financial resources.Levels of cooperation– AWM has not been open and cooperative with us.The firm must not conduct any regulated activities without the FCA’s prior written consent and, as a result, can no longer act as an independent financial adviser or provide financial advice. Customers of AWM should seek to find a new financial adviser – there is information on finding an adviser on theMoney Helper website.
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