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Should SIPPs be opened up to include alternative finance?
This is a short survey of Financial Advisers views on alternative finance in SIPPs

Your Experience

The UK Alternative Finance market recently passed the £10bn mark, and with the launch this year of the new Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) for peer to peer and debt-based crowdfunding, it is becoming increasingly mainstream. The FCA has also made advising on peer to peer loans a regulated activity. Advising on debt-based securities was already covered by existing advice permissions

This short survey aims to find out if you, as a Financial Adviser, feel peer to peer loans (loans) and debt-based securities (bonds), which HMRC allows into IFISAs, should also be allowed in SIPPs.
1.How familiar are you with peer to peer lending?
2.How familiar are you with debt-based securities?
3.Are you aware which of the following products can be held in the Innovative Finance ISA?
Yes
No
Don't know
Debt based securities (bonds)
Invoice finance
Peer to peer lending
Peer to business lending
Equity crowdfunding
4.Have your clients asked you for advice regarding peer to peer loans or debt-based securities?
5.Have you ever discussed peer-to-peer loans or debt-based securities with your clients?
6.Have you ever recommended or advised clients on peer-to-peer loans or debt-based securities?
7.Have you heard of the new Innovative Finance ISA?
8.How suitable do you feel peer-to-peer loans or debt-based securities might be for SIPP investors?
9.If peer-to-peer loans or debt-based securities could be held in a SIPP would this make them more or less attractive to you?
10.Do you think SIPP holders would be interested in using their pensions pot to lend?
11.Which of these are barriers to your clients using their SIPP for peer-to-peer loans or debt-based securities?
Significant issue
A more minor issue
Not an issue
I don't know
They are non standard assets which means most SIPPs don't allow them
I am not confident about advising on peer-to-peer loans or debt-based securities, whether inside or outside a tax wrapper
I can't use my usual platforms
The fees are higher on the SIPPs that allow this, and that eats into returns
12.If peer-to-peer loans / debt-based securities were reclassified as standard assets for SIPPs would you be more likely to advise on holding these investments in a client’s SIPP:
13.Would you be interested in attending a short CPD accredited educational event to better inform yourself about Alternative Finance and the IFISA:
14.If you have particular SIPPs you would like to use for peer-to-peer loans/debt based securities, or have any experience to share we would love to hear more.
Thank you for your time, it is much appreciated.