The Financial Conduct Authority says its measures are aimed at better protecting but not preventing new investments.

The City regulator has announced new rules from April to better protect UK investors in the fast-growing crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending sectors. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed the move in the wake of a consultation on regulations. A key part of its plan was to increase transparency, the FCA said, leaving potential investors better informed about the companies or individuals seeking funds. Crowdfunding platforms had cited trust as a key reason behind a reluctance to make investments despite British investors providing £480m in loans and buying £28m in unlisted securities in 2013. That represented a rise of 150% on the previous year, with investors keen to seek alternative ways of making returns on their money amid volatile stock markets and poor savings rates.....Read more here