AMI is calling for the following action to support its members:
A freeze on regulatory fees, and regulatory dividends for AMI members
More free cases at the Financial Ombudsman Service
Ring fencing on banking bail outs so that members don't get caught paying FSCS levies
A reduction in corporation tax for small firms
• Extension of the special liquidity scheme, in the long awaited Crosby review report, to a wider group of lenders
Robert Sinclair, Director of the AMI, said: "We have seen a lot happen in the markets in just the last 6 months. Our industry has faced real challenges but we have been at the heart of the public policy debates looking for answers. AMI was the first body to publish its solutions to the credit crunch and have held discussions with the regulator, government and opposition parties. It is vital that the interest of intermediaries is represented at the very highest level.
"We have also tried to help members through this difficult period in a practical way. We have run a programme of successful Business Diversification workshops. We are also planning a series of sales skills courses.
"Being a member of AMI does appear to make it less likely you will get fined. If members follow our newsletters, newsflashes and good practice notes, they are more likely to be doing the right things and less likely to be falling foul of the regulator. For this reason we would like the regulator to recognise this by giving AMI members a regulatory dividend and believe that AMI membership should lead to reduced FSA fees."
