Monthly Archives: November 2010

Banks, Financial, Financial Education, Financial Management, Insurance Services, Investment, Money

Not All NAIC Suitability Training Solutions Are Created Equal

With the Iowa Suitability Requirement becoming active on January 1, 2010 there is no doubt that insurance carriers are scrambling to find the best solution. While most solutions are similar in that they will offer State Specific Training and Carrier Specific Training the means and methods in which they deliver the training will differ from provider to provider. Quest is proud to offer the industry’s most comprehensive, user friendly and cost effective solution to the NAIC Suitability Regulation.

Using proprietary technology, Quest has the ability to meet each individual carrier’s NAIC Suitability Training needs. While most carriers will opt for a Single Suitability Platform, there are some carriers with captivate agents that would prefer a private label solution. Quest has built their reputation on providing innovative solutions and advanced custom technologies. This custom technology addresses the needs of the carrier wishing to have an NAIC Training portal branded specifically for their company and their producers. A private label solution will match the carriers’ look and feel providing an effective marketing tool and sense of good will with the carrier’s producers. Custom reporting, in addition to daily PGP encrypted data feeds are standard with all of Quest’s learning platforms and will serve as an integral function in both private label solutions and the Single Source Solution.

While other NAIC Suitability Training Providers have turned to their old, outdated technologies to address the growing demand of training required of producers, Quest has specifically designed their NAIC Suitability Training Portals with the users in mind. Quest’s simple three step process allows producers to either self-register for their training or be loaded in on the front end by their carriers. The first step requires the producer to select the State Specific Training required by the NAIC. Currently the only state with a requirement in place is Iowa. The second step asks the producer to select the insurance carriers that they sell for so they can select their Carrier/Product Specific Training at step three. The process is intuitive and seamless. The producer will easily be able to create their user profile loaded with all of the training they need to continue to sell their carriers’ products.

Quest’s system puts control in the hands of the producers. The logic behind this method is that the producer knows better than anyone else which carriers they sell for and which state and product specific training they need to complete. Other vendors trust complicated and incomplete databases which rely on each carriers list of producers to be correct and constantly updated. Quest’s solution allows for flexibility and intelligence so producers are able to use the training portal as a way of updating their own records with the carriers they represent. On demand reporting and daily data feeds will ensure that producers are compliant with their requirements and able to place business with the carriers they represent as soon as possible.

Via EPR Network
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Financial, Financial Services, Money

Cash for Gold Company

The past few holiday shopping seasons have been lackluster as retailers worked to boost sales in a faltering economy. Once again, the holiday promotions are rolling in to be greeted by skeptical consumers. As stores scramble to boost sales, there is now a pain-free way to get more cash into consumers’ pockets, thereby boosting our economy – sell gold. Selling gold for cash is a great way to improve cash flow, proclaim analysts. If consumers would sell their gold, they would receive cash for gold just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Getting cash for gold benefits all involved parties. Consumers appreciate the widened budget they now have for holiday shopping, or just some splurging without a guilty conscience. Retailers see greater interest in the promotions and sales, and more willingness to spend. This goes right up to wholesalers who are also influenced when consumers sell gold. Wholesalers also see an increase in sales.

Major economists are now working at a frenzied pace, crunching numbers in an effort to forecast the impact this holiday season will have on the economy. Studies have shown that consumer spending rose less than forecast in September as incomes dropped for the first time in more than a year, a sign Americans may keep rebuilding savings and paring debt as the economy is slow to recover. Getting cash for gold is ever more enticing to those trying to save.”While consumers have shown they are once again willing to spend on what’s important to them, they will still be very conscientious about price,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “Retailers are expected to compensate for this fundamental shift in shopper mentality by offering significant promotions throughout the holiday season and emphasizing value throughout their marketing efforts.”

Now is the time for consumers to sell gold. This method of earning extra cash is helpful to all sectors because it is not an option solely available for those with extra capital; everyone has old gold jewelry, cash, chains, and the like, to sell. Selling cash for gold also means extra cash without the stress of working longer hours or taking on more work.

Getting cash for gold can be virtually effortless. Between pawn shops, jewelers, and online gold buyers, experts agree that the best way to sell cash for gold is through the web. Online gold buyers have much less overhead costs than a business with a storefront. They can therefore offer a much greater payout. The actual process is fast and easy. Sellers need just request a CashPak online, and one is mailed out promptly. After the seller sends in a short form along with the gold in a FedEx insured envelope, a check is returned within twenty-four hours. If the seller is not happy with the amount, he may return the check for a full refund of his gold. Economists and gold experts alike agree that with gold hitting all-time highs, and the economy struggling out of record lows, now is the time to sell gold for cash.

Via EPR Network
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Debts, Financial, Financial Services, Loans, Money, Personal Finance

Couple’s Horror Story With Bank Charges Highlights A Need For Other Short-Term Credit Options

Payday loans are often given negative attention in the media because they’re viewed as a form of high cost credit. However, while banks are clamping down ever harder on customers who don’t stick to the terms of their overdrafts, and inadvertently pushing some customers into unmanageable debts, a leading payday loan company says payday loans offer consumers another option when faced with a need for emergency credit. It also advocates the simplicity and transparency of this option, especially when compared with unauthorised credit charges.

A national newspaper recently highlighted the plight of a young couple who found themselves being expected to pay out a staggering £1,700 to a high street bank – all because they went overdrawn by eight pence.

Angela Hannibal, from Essex, had an account with a high street bank on which she was charged a monthly administration fee. When, one month, that fee took her overdrawn by just 8p, her bank immediately demanded a £170 administration charge.

Angela, who had a young son with her partner, Wayne Green, could not understand how they were continually paying back money to the bank and then getting charged again every couple of months, which kept the debt spiralling out of their control.

Payday Express maintains that their instant payday loans offer consumers a choice in the short-term credit market; an alternative to being at the whim of fees imposed for unauthorised credit. Angela could potentially have avoided those extra charges had she taken out an emergency loan to clear the debt initially or, better still, to avoid going into unarranged overdraft in the first place.

Via EPR Network
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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Money

Irevna Achieves Milestone as Argentina Crosses 50 Employees

Irevna continues to expand as its Buenos Aires, Argentina research center crossed the milestone of 50 permanent employees. Irevna Argentina currently now has a head count of 51 after three analysts were hired in April. Irevna has hired 15 new employees so far this year.

“We at Irevna strive to offer the best solutions to fit the specific needs of our clients. This includes the capability to provide our customers around-the-clock service with research centers across geographies and time zones in countries such as Argentina, Poland, and India,” says Mani G. V. Mani, Senior Director, Offshoring Business – Irevna. “We continue to prioritize the needs of our clients first, which is the reason Irevna continues to experience such strong growth.

Irevna has been ramping up its hiring in Argentina as clients want the benefits of offshoring, such as labor arbitrage with highly qualified resources, while maintaining a high level of interaction with the offshore analyst. Many clients based in the US and Canada require real-time support during earnings season or periods of market volatility Outsourcing to Argentina, which is only one hour ahead of New York during most of the year, is a solution that many clients have been requesting.

“The increase in employees in Argentina is also the result of an internal strategic decision. Growth is a primary objective for 2010 and we are actively recruiting new analysts,” says Gustavo Araujo, Group Lead of Irevna Argentina.

Irevna was the first KPO to open a Western Hemisphere Deliver Center in Argentina in November 2006. Irevna has started a research center in Wroclaw, Poland to satisfy the demand for similar services in Europe. Irevna is the world’s top-ranked research, analytical and financial services offshoring firm with a global workforce of close to 1,300 analysts.

Via EPR Network
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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Money

CRISIL-Irevna Buys Pipal Research

CRISIL-Irevna, the world’s top-ranked financial services and investment Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) firm, today announced the acquisition of Pipal Research (Pipal), a large player in the KPO Industry. Pipal is headquartered in Chicago. The combination of CRISIL-Irevna and Pipal will be uniquely positioned in the high-end analytical offshoring space with the widest range of services, geographic locations, and customer diversity. Pipal’s operations are complementary to CRISIL-Irevna’s, enabling the combine to strengthen its leadership in the KPO industry. CRISIL Irevna has consistently been ranked the No.1 financial services and investment KPO firm by the Datamonitor Black Book of Outsourcing.

Speaking of the acquisition, Roopa Kudva, Managing Director and CEO of CRISIL Ltd, said “This is an important milestone in the CRISIL-Irevna journey, enabling us to further strengthen our leadership position in the high-end KPO space. Pipal’s deeply embedded client relationships provide a strong platform for growth. The two organisations have complementary strengths, which will enable us to serve our clients better. We look forward to working with Pipal’s talented employees and providing them exciting career growth paths.”

Mr. G.V. Mani, Senior Director, Irevna, added, “The acquisition of Pipal Research not only gives us an opportunity to expand our spectrum of offerings but also presents us a strong customer base, partner franchise and most importantly talented employees, who will enrich our service capabilities.”

Pipal provides business research and investment research services. Its clients include leading global firms in the telecommunications, technology, consumer packaged goods, and industrial sectors, and in the financial services space. Pipal has three research centres in India (Gurgaon, Noida and Bangalore), and an office in Chicago. Majority-owned by Firstsource Solutions Ltd, Pipal reported USD8.1 million of revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2010.

Via EPR Network
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Banks, Financial, Financial Education, Financial Management, Insurance Services, Investment, Money

Quest CE Introduces the 2010 NAIC Suitability Regulation Solution

Quest Continuing Education Solutions (Quest CE) is proud to announce the solution to the 2010 NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation. Quest’s simple two-tiered approach will provide an “All-In-One” Solution for Insurers, Distributors and Producers that fall under the NAIC’s new regulation.

Quest’s 4-hour annuity course in Iowa has been approved by the state and meets the Iowa Administrative Rule 191-15.72 for a one-time, four (4) hour annuity training course requirement. In addition, this course is approved for resident CE credit. Per the new NAIC Suitability Regulation, Quest will also provide insurer-product specific training in their Industry Leading Learning Management System, Renaissance.

NAIC Suitability Regulation Training through Quest allows for automated encrypted data and completion feeds. Feeds can be sent on a daily basis or as often as the program administrator desires. Quest’s system also allows for participants in the program to be bulk loaded into the training platform. Ensure your programs compliance with Quest so beginning January 1, 2011 your producers are able to sell your annuities in Iowa.

The NAIC Suitability Regulation Training platform will provide:

• A dedicated location where a producer can complete all of their required training requirements and view the status of each requirement within the Model Regulation;
• Updated training posted to the site subsequent to initial training including additional State Specific Annuity Requirements as they become effective;
• A company specific branded web portal where insurers can comply with the new regulation and update their product-specific training courses in their student profiles;
• The ability to print completion certificates online 24/7;
• An automatic e-mail notification system allowing insurers to instantly notify producers of new or updated product specific training requirements;
• Automated and PGP encrypted customized data feeds with real-time search tools for insurers and Broker/Dealers to satisfy compliance requirements and training.

Quest’s NAIC Suitability Regulation Training Solution is available now and ready for demonstration or implementation. Contact Quest at 877-593-3366 or e-mail Quest at sales@questce.com to speak with one of our dedicated Sales Team Members about guaranteeing your 2010 NAIC Suitability Regulation Training today.

Via EPR Network
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Credit Cards, Debts, Financial, Insurance, Insurance Services

Media Ingenuity 14th in Sunday Times Tech Track

Media Ingenuity is delighted to announce that it has ranked 14th in the 2010 Sunday Times Tech Track. Media Ingenuity is mostly known for its consumer facing brand TotallyMoney.com which is an online price comparison website that specialises in comparing financial products. Media Ingenuity has recently released granite its own brand credit card. The league table ranks Britain’s one hundred privately-owned technology, media and telecoms (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over the last three years.

Commenting on the result, managing director Adam Quint said, ‘This truly is a momentous result for Media ingenuity and represents its emergence as one of the UK’s foremost online marketing businesses. We are absolutely delighted to have come 14th from the thousands of qualifying businesses in the UK. The result reflects the wealth of talent we have in our team and confirms the strength of our business model’.

Despite typically turning over less than £50m, many Tech Track 100 companies develop technology behind global brands. For example, Mobica develops apps for the iPhone, Mobile Interactive Group provides digital interactive services for O2 and The Foundry developed software for digital-effect sequences on Avatar.

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401K, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, IRA, Money, Personal Finance, Retirement

Financial Planners: Three Questions To Ask For The Current Market

Especially in today’s economic climate, many people are reassessing their financial planners. A large amount of people have been losing money in the market, so clients should not be unnecessarily harsh with their planner; however, individuals must find out if their planner is using this widespread downturn to cover personal mistakes. Here are three questions clients should ask their financial planners.

1. How many personal investment have performed? Clients should find out how their own investments measure up to the Dow and use the current situation to benchmark performance. Find out how these investment compare to relevant indexes or funds with similar strategies. These should be examined over recent months and years, not day to day activity. If it is found that an advisor is doing much worse than benchmarks, they may have made bad decisions. If it is much better, examine whether they got lucky on risky investments. Clients should get detailed explanations.

2. How do the current investments meet with personal goals? One of the top advantages of working with financial planners is that they should be choosing investments that fall within an overall financial plan and time frame. This is to keep long-term funds mainly in stocks for future growth without the need to sell in order to cover expenses. An advisor should know how much in emergency funds a client should have, where it is invested and how liquid it is.

3. What adjustments are being made for the current market. The best financial planners have plans in place for such market downturns. An advisor should not make rash decisions in a market downturn. This is especially true for well-diversified and properly time framed investments. An investor should recommend caution when looking at additions to equity exposure during a downturn.

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Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, IRA, Money, Personal Finance, Retirement

Retirement Planning: Roth IRA Basics

A Roth IRA, or individual retirement account, is one of the most beneficially retirement planning opportunities available. They offer tax-free growth and are an ideal way to become financially independent by retirement. They are available to people who are not eligible for a 401(k) employer matching contribution and people who are able to save more money for retirement than the amount that their employer matches.

People can open a Roth IRA at the majority of bank and brokerage offices in person and online. The forms are basic and assistance is generally available. Typically all that is needed is a social security number and the social security numbers of any potential beneficiaries that may be placed on the account.

When creating a financial plan, an individual must consider their earned income when it comes to their Roth IRA. The contribution amount permitted is limited by the earned income, which includes wages and self-employed earnings. This, however, does not include interest or dividends. For people who are married, the contribution is limited to the total of the combined earned income.

The contributions limits for Roth IRA retirement planning accounts can vary from year to year. This can also vary by age. Generally, if you are under 50 years of age, you can contribute up to $5,000. If you are over 50 years of age, you can put in up to $6,000. These are the combined contribution amount. An applicant should obtain financial guidance to find out specifics.

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Business, Financial, Financial Services, Investment, Money, Personal Finance, Stocks, Trading

Everbrighter Financial – The Ones You Can Trust

Everbrighter financial Ltd. is pleased to announce the launch of its new website at www.ebfgroup.eu and hopes that this new interface will provide clients, both new and old, with all the information and help they require.

Everbrighter financial provides “turn-key” solutions of transfer agent, legal, EDGAR and other related services to public and private companies. We serve as Transfer Agent performing the functions of original issue, cancellation and reissuance of stock certificates and uncertificated shares. We are committed to delivering a complete package of products and services focused on today’s technology but never losing sight that service is our first priority. Expect to receive prompt attention to your needs as well as those of your shareholders.

For more than 12 years Everbrighter financial has been an industry leading stock transfer agent, helping companies from around the world with their stock transfer and registrar needs. In all that time, we have never lost a client to dissatisfaction — NEVER! With the new improved website we are determined to carry on with this tradition of excellence.

We are proud of this unequalled record of achievement and we remain dedicated to providing our clients with superlative stock transfer agent services. Everbrighter financial provides a complete array of worry-free corporate stock transfer and registrar services. Our professional stock transfer agent staff will provide you with complete assistance with any corporate stock actions and guide you through any transfer of stock ownership.

Among stock transfer agents, Everbrighter financial stands out. The biggest difference between us and our competitors is our uncompromising dedication to providing unmatched service. When you experience the way we fulfill all of the needs that you, your company and your shareholders have, you will understand what we mean when we say service is what matters most.

The proof of our dedication to service is illustrated by the fact that in our 12 plus years, Everbrighter financial has never lost a client due to dissatisfaction!

Every time you call us, a real live human being will actually answer the phone in three rings or less! No more spending ten minutes winding through a voice mail system, just to leave a message for someone who isn’t even there! Every member of Everbrighter financial will know you and be able to assist you.

We do not have the overhead of the mega-transfer agents and we pass the savings on to you. The efficiency of our expert stock transfer agent staff can also save you thousands of dollars as we help you eliminate costly mistakes.

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