I am delighted to introduce this first issue of ombudsman news. Each month we will bring you news from one of our three divisions – investment, banking and loans and – this month - our insurance division, headed by Tony Boorman.

ombudsman news is aimed primarily at firms and professionals working in the relevant areas of financial services, and at consumer advice agencies, but it may also be of more general interest. We hope you will find it a helpful source of information about our activities. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

We do not yet know from HM Treasury the exact date when the new single set of ombudsman rules under which we are to operate will come into effect. However the rules are now available. If you would like to find out more about them and how they will affect your firm, please email our technical advice desk. We provide a number of services to firms and professional advisers and will be happy to help you.