The Luxembourg financial services regulator has appointed a 'provisional administrator' to work with Lifemark, a company whose secure income bonds were distributed by Keydata. This appointment is not an insolvency procedure under Luxembourg law and the provisional administrator will work closely with the firm's management to improve its business.

The Freedom SIPP Limited, the operator of The Freedom SIPP, was wound up for non payment of tax in October 2009. Mattioli Woods plc has been appointed by the liquidators to ensure an orderly wind up of The Freedom SIPP.

Northern Rock has restructured to create two separate companies, both authorised and regulated by the FSA. Customers do not need to take any action and will receive a letter from Northern Rock during early January to confirm these arrangements.