On 13 May 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a press release announcing that it will review how consumer investment firms support bereaved customers.
Research prepared for the FCA reports that only 47% of bereaved customers felt they received the support needed from financial firms, and so has launched its review to assess the adequacy of the support being provided.
The review is set to focus on firms that advise, manage or administer investments, including platforms, advisers and wealth managers. The FCA will examine the experience customers have from initially being informed about a bereavement, through to settlement or transfer of investments, as well as assessing how firms communicate, support vulnerable customers, service standards and how fees are handled on bereaved accounts.
Next steps
From May 2026, the FCA will contact selected firms as part of the review, with the intention of publishing its findings, including good and poor practice, later this year.