Vintage Investment Services was the subject of FCA enforcement action following a 97% DB pension transfer rate in 2016–17 — a statistic the FCA described as highly anomalous and indicative of systemic unsuitable advice. Directors were subsequently banned. If you were advised by Vintage, FSCS and FOS routes may be available.
Start your free assessment →Vintage Investment Services was a regulated financial adviser that came to FCA attention following an extraordinary 97% defined benefit pension transfer recommendation rate during 2016–17. In a market where the FCA expects the vast majority of DB transfers to be unsuitable for clients, a 97% transfer rate is statistically impossible to justify on suitability grounds and indicates systemic advice failure.
The FCA took enforcement action against Vintage and its directors were subsequently banned from working in financial services. This enforcement history is directly relevant to any suitability complaint against Vintage — FCA enforcement findings provide strong corroborating evidence that the advice model was systematically flawed.
Following FCA enforcement action and the directors' banning, the FSCS may provide a compensation route if Vintage is in default. Check the FSCS failed firms register for current status.
Up to £85,000Where Vintage is still within FOS jurisdiction, an individual complaint on suitability grounds remains available. FCA enforcement findings will support the complaint.
Vintage's advice was given primarily in 2016–17. The six-year FOS absolute clock on this advice has now expired for many claimants. However, the three-year awareness clock runs from when you first discovered the extent of your loss — and FSCS routes may have different limitation rules. An urgent assessment is essential. See redressadvisory.com/time-limits for the full limitation framework.
A 97% DB transfer recommendation rate is statistically incompatible with genuine individual suitability assessment. The FCA itself states that for most consumers, transferring out of a DB pension is unlikely to be in their best interests. A rate of 97% indicates that Vintage was recommending transfers as a matter of course, not based on individual client circumstances — which is the definition of unsuitable advice.
Following FCA enforcement action, Vintage is likely no longer operating. Check the FCA register for current status. If Vintage has failed, FSCS compensation routes apply.
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You can complain directly to the firm, refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service or apply to the FSCS — all completely free. If you use the free routes, you keep 100% of any compensation.
| Redress received | Max % | Max fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £1,499 | 30% | £420 |
| £1,500–£9,999 | 28% | £2,500 |
| £10,000–£24,999 | 25% | £5,000 |
| £25,000–£49,999 | 20% | £7,500 |
| £50,000 and above | 15% | £10,000 |
Compensation is paid directly to you. We invoice after you receive your compensation. You pay nothing if unsuccessful. Source: FCA PS21/18 (Chapter 2, Table 1) & CMCOB 5.2. Excl. VAT.
Compensation is paid directly to you. We invoice after you receive your compensation. You pay nothing if unsuccessful. Source: FCA PS21/18 (Chapter 2, Table 1) and CMCOB 5.2. Excl. VAT.
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Contact complaints@redressadvisory.com. If unresolved, refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge within 6 months of our final response.