Advisers provided suitable advice in 93.1 percent of cases, the Financial Conduct Authority said in a review of the sector.

"These are positive results," the FCA said.

The clean bill of health for advisers contrasts with other areas of the financial services industry such as the sale of annuities, where the FCA has found evidence of misselling.

But advisers provided "unacceptable disclosure" in 41.7 percent of cases, the FCA added, particularly around giving customers information about their costs and services.

The FCA will discuss the review findings with advisers over the next two years, and carry out another review in 2019, it said.

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

Stocks treated in this article : Hargreaves Lansdown PLC, St. James's Place plc