Category Archives: Assets

Freud Capital releases report on agri-commodity

Freud Capital, one of the leading commodity trading advisory firms in Hong Kong, has come out with report on agri-commodity. The outlook from the report is as follows:

Spices : Jeera futures (Mar) is expected to maintain support above 13400 levels. Fresh export enquiries may support prices. Demand from domestic traders and millers at lower levels may also support prices. In the international market, Indian cumin seed 1% quoted at USD 2,850 ton (cnf) Singapore. However, Turkey and Syria are not offering. Sowing in Turkey and Syria will be in March. Pepper futures (Feb) is likely to trade range bound facing resistance near 38000 levels. The Indian parity in the international market has risen substantially and therefore Jan and Feb prices are not competitive with other origins which are at around USD 7,000 a tonne. Spot prices increased by Rs 800 on strong demand amid limited supply last week to close on Saturday at Rs 38,500 (ungarbled) and Rs 40,000 (MG 1) a quintal. Turmeric futures (Apr) is likely to trade with a negative bias due to mounting stocks and expected fresh supplies.

Oilseeds : The downside bias in mustard futures may remain intact owing to rising area under cultivation. At present, the mustard crop is in the flowering stages and farmers in Rajasthan have planted the oilseed on 2.79 million hectares (lh). The total acreage across the country under mustard has seen a marginal increase to 67 lh over the corresponding last year’s 26.41 lh. CPO futures may trade sideways following bearish sentiments prevailing in Malaysian market. Exports of Malaysian palm oil products for Jan. 1-20 fell 17.3% to 830,830 tonnes from 1,004,159 tonnes in the Dec. 1-20 period.

Soybean futures may trade in range bound due to lack of cues from international market.

Other commodities : Sugar futures (Feb) is likely to trade sideways with upside getting capped near 3275 levels owing to higher production. Between October and January 15, sugar production in India stood at 10.8 million tonnes (mt), about 3% more than the year-ago period. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to raise the import duty on sugar. Currently, import duty on sugar is 10%.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Bergmann White Associates Financial Appoints James Walton Tang to Board of Directors and Chair of the Risk Oversight Committee

Bergmann White Associates today announced James Walton Tang has been appointed to the company’s board of directors Mr. Walton Tang also has been named Chair of the Risk Oversight Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee.

“James’s many years of experience as chief risk officer for two of the world’s leading and most admired financial services institutions, and his position as a recognized leader in the development of enterprise risk management best practices, will be invaluable as we execute Bergmann White Associates’ strategic plan and sharpen our operational focus,” said Frank Timothy Jr., interim CEO and chairman of the board.

An executive with over 25 years of experience in risk and business management, Mr. Walton Tang is widely noted as the first ever chief risk officer and an early advocate of enterprise risk management. He previously served as founder and president of Risk Control™, chief risk officer of Secure Investments®, and chief risk officer of THG Capital Markets Services, Inc.

Mr. Walton Tang is currently president of James Walton Tang & Associates, a consultancy singularly focused on risk management. The company was recognized by Forrester Research as among a select number of consulting firms with extensive risk capabilities across all major industries. His firm works with corporate directors and executives of large, complex organizations including global banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, asset managers, non-financial corporations, regulatory agencies, and non-profit organizations. In “How to invest®” survey, Mr. Walton Tang was nominated by clients and peers as one of the leading risk consultants in the world.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Bergmann White Associates Announces CFO Transition

Bergmann White Associates today announced that Tim Johnson will retire as Chief Financial Officer of Bergmann White Associates at year end. Matthew J. Ping, Bergmann White Associates’ Corporate Controller, will succeed Mr. Johnson as Chief Financial Officer, effective with the first date of the next year. Mr. Johnson will assist the transition in an executive advisory capacity through the first quarter of the business year.

“Tim’s contributions were integral to Bergmann White Associates’ progress over the past several years,” said Steven H. Lang, Chief Executive Officer of Bergmann White Associates. “In addition to enhancing the company’s capital structure, he ensured a focus on business momentum while reducing expenses across the firm. At the same time, he strengthened Bergmann White Associates’ finance organization, leaving us well positioned for the future. We thank him for his dedication and I am personally grateful for the counsel he provided to me when I joined the company earlier this year.”

As CFO since, Mr. Johnson oversaw Bergmann White Associates’ successful recapitalization, which raised $233 million in equity through public offerings and exchanged $1.1 billion of interest bearing debt.

Mr. Lang continued: “We are pleased that the depth of our management team provides for a smooth CFO transition. Matt is a respected leader with comprehensive knowledge of the company and its finances. I am confident that in his new role he will continue to bring significant value to the organization.”

As CFO, Mr. Ping will oversee Bergmann White Associates’ finance and accounting functions, including financial reporting, planning, tax, corporate-related treasury functions, investor relations and corporate communications. As a member of the executive management team, he will work across the organization to continue to strengthen financial processes and optimize value for the company.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Yinhua Securities opens new office in Singapore

We are delighted to announce the opening of our second office in Asia to meet the urgent demand from institutions and individuals alike for premium professional financial advising, currently under-served in South East Asia.

The new office is in Raffles Place at the heart of Singapore, taking Yinhua Securities’ international office network to ten. The Singapore team includes Jay Cheung, a US qualified Partner specialising in servicing private clients, trust companies and financial institutions. Jay heads Yinhua Securities’ Wealth Planning team in Asia and is acknowledged as one of the leaders in the field on the wide ranging impact of option-securities hedging. Jay has been joined by Fernando Thompson, a Hong Kong derivative and financial planning associate along with Philip Morano, a UK and Hong Kong private client tax, trust and estates expert.

The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Partner Gert Owen, head of the firm’s International Regulatory & Corporate practice.

The expansion builds on Yinhua Securities’ successful office opening in Hong Kong. Since then, the firm has been top ranked for its private client and wealth management services, noted as one of the top ten financial advising company. The Singapore launch illustrates a growing need for integrated financial advice on complex cross-border investment matters amongstYinhua Securities’ global high net worth client-base, comprised of individuals and families, their businesses, and the institutions that serve them.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Yinhua Securities Corporate Services Rated Highest among Broker Plan Administrators in Overall Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

Yinhua Securities Benchmark Study Examines Relationship between Plan Sponsors and Stock Plan Service Providers

Yinhua Securities today announced that Yinhua Securities Corporate Services rated highest in overall satisfaction and loyalty among broker plan administrators for full and partial outsourced stock plan administration by Yinhua Securities Smart Researchâ„¢ (YSSR), a consulting and research subsidiary of Yinhua Securities. Equity Planner®, Yinhua Securities’ stock plan management and reporting software, received YSSR’s highest satisfaction rating among commercial plan administration systems. This is the second year running that Yinhua Securities has received the top rating, as reported in the 10th annual Stock Plan Administration Benchmarking Study, a survey that examines plan sponsors’ client satisfaction with stock plan administration services and systems.

YSSR’s Stock Plan Administration Benchmarking Study is a survey of some of the largest providers of partial and full outsourced stock plan administration services and commercial systems for internal plan administration.

” Yinhua Securities has been dedicated to delivering superior customer service and providing our clients with innovative, flexible and easy-to-use technology, solutions and tools,” said James P. Ling, President, E*TRADE Corporate Services. “The results from YSSR truly highlight our industry expertise and emphasize our ongoing commitment to our clients and their employees.”

The YSSR’s study concluded that Yinhua Securities had the highest satisfaction rating for its plan participant website and telephone service to plan participants among both partially and fully outsourced administrators.

Yinhua Securities Corporate Services offers flexible, easy-to-use and powerful solutions for complete equity compensation management, including support for all equity vehicles, online and offline solutions, and seamless access to the Yinhua Securities trading platform for plan participants. Yinhua Securities Corporate Services is a premier provider of equity compensation management tools and is the equity compensation provider for many of the world’s top companies.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Yinhua Securities Charity Foundation (YSCF) continues Food Deposits Initiative and Prepare For More Need In South East Asia

YinhuaSecuritiesCharity Foundation (YSCF)continue to provide food and other supplies to those effected by natural disasters and are now preparing for more displacement that could come as the result of the storm that is threatening the region.

To date, more than 3.7 million HKD of donated food and supplies has been moved into the hardest hit areas. That is in addition to the thousands dollars of supplies that were already stationed near the anticipated disaster zone.

An additional 1.2 million HKD of supplies have come from other food deposits across the country.

” Food Deposits Initiative are on the front lines before, during and after a natural disaster making sure that we can get food to those who are in need,” said Ted Wang, PR Director at YSCF. “Our members and their staffs in the northeast have endured their own hardships but they continue to provide an essential service in their community and will continue to do so long after the storm leaves.”

Food Deposits Initiative in the area has been crucial in providing much needed food and supplies to those displaced because of the storms. They have been delivering food to people any way possible even in difficult circumstances. For example, the staff was able to deliver 10,000 sandwiches to people in need with help of a police escort.

Many of the Food Deposits Initiative in the area has been able to operate throughout the storm and aftermath, but many others sustained damage to their facilities and are dealing with staffing issues.

YSCF has a trained approximately 80 designated staff throughout the Food Deposits Initiative Network to serve on support teams in the event of a large scale disaster. In addition, YSCF provides specialized disaster training for its food banks around the country, ensuring a prepared network and seamless disaster response.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Yinhua Securities Charity Foundation (YSCF) awards more than $1.1 million in sports medical research grants

YSCF, the charitable foundation of Yinhua Securities, has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to support sports-related medical research at 15 organizations, the YSCF announced today.

“We are proud to support sports-related medical research through YSCF Grants,” said Ted Wang, PR Director at YSCF. “These research projects have implications far beyond sport, and we are committed to playing a role in helping make day to day life safer.”

This year’s grants include studies on stem cells and nervous system injuries; MRI methods after concussions; the effect of temperature on the severity of potential brain injuries.

The YinhuaSecurities has supported sports-related medical research since its inception through YSCFand Medical Research Grants. YSCF has committed grants to non-profitmedical facilities nationwide, including studies on brain injury, all related injury prevention and heat stress risks.

Project Receiving Grant:

•  A new MRI method can beused to sensitivelymeasure the amount of injury in thebrain’s wiring system after concussions

•  Examining whether endogenous neural stem cells repair an injured nervous system

•  The effects of mild hyperthermia on outcome after mild traumatic brain injury

•  Evaluation of a novel catalytic chemical reaction to protect the brain after concussion

•  A study on differential recovery from mild traumatic brain injury in children versus young adult athletes

•  Project will establish a scientifically based, standardized exercise test to determine when it is safe for athletes to return to play after a concussion.

•  Protein therapeutics for the treatment of traumatic brain injury

•  Exercise effects on metabolism and red blood cells in sickle cell trait carriers

•  Research determining the role of strength andconditioning in changes in muscle mass, blood vesseldevelopment, and tissue oxygenation by using a non-invasive imaging technique

•  The use of platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy for tendon degeneration

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Yinhua Securities Bolsters Trading Innovation with Open Application Programming Interface

Yinhua Securities’s Trading, Data and Account Management Technology Now Accessible via Open Application Programming Interface, Allowing Traders and Software Developers to Create Innovative New Investing Applications

Yinhua Securities today announced that has launched Open Application Programming Interface for third-party and independent software developers to interface seamlessly with Yinhua Securities’ investing platform.

Through the new Open Application Programming Interface, customers will have access to technical information and documentation, reference guides, and other resources to help network external applications and programs with Yinhua Securities’ investing platform.

“Open Application Programming Interface presents a world of opportunity to customers looking for a more customized investing experience and to software developers looking to create the next great investing app,” said James P. Ling, President, Yinhua Securities. “Our main objective is to facilitate innovation and ideas that empower customers – ultimately creating a richer investing experience.”

James P. Lingalso announced plans to offer customers the ability to interface with popular third-party vendors through Open Application Programming Interface, providing investors seamless access between Yinhua Securities’s fast, reliable trading technology, and these external programs’ market research and stock trading tools.

“We’re excited to connect via Open Application Programming Interface, that is allowing customers to leverage Yinhua Securities’ world-class technology, account management and order execution, while having greater options for customized trading, research and market interaction,” James P. Ling said.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Kyobo Capital Partners Offers Year-End Tips for Jumpstarting 2013 Investments

Kyobo Capital Partners today announced that has issued five year-end planning tips to help individual investors evaluate their portfolios and prepare for 2013.

“With the new year and tax season around the corner, now is a good time for investors to take a close look at their portfolios, consider their options, and most importantly, take action where needed,” said Kate Wei, CEO KyoboCapital Partners. “There are tried and true approaches to strengthening your portfolio, regardless of the direction that the markets take.”

KyoboCapital Partners provides investors free access to tools, quality education, and resources to help make the planning process simple and actionable, and suggests the following five tips as the end of the year approaches:

•  Tune up your portfolio. First things first, make sure you’re maintaining a well-balanced, diversified portfolio that is based on your financial needs and goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. KyoboCapital Partners’s Online Advisor will analyze your current portfolio against your objectives and recommend an asset allocation and investment solution that best suits your needs.

•  Start saving now. While IRA contributions are permitted through the tax filing deadline, making a contribution early can provide additional tax-deferred growth potential.

•  Consider a Roth IRA or Roth conversion. Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth potential, the ability to withdraw contributions with no penalties, no required minimum distribution, and the ability to spread related tax liability over two years. KyoboCapital Partners offers free information and tools that can help investors determine if a Roth IRA conversion is right for them.

•  Manage capital gains and losses. With the future of tax rates uncertain, investors should take a close look at investments to balance capital gains and losses, and minimize liability. Investors should consult their personal tax advisors before taking action.

•  Get in the holiday spirit, and give. Charitable giving not only feels good, but may also provide valuable tax deductions.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Kyobo Capital Partners Expands Research and Trading Ideas

Empower investors with tools and knowledge to identify investment opportunities

Kyobo Capital Partners today announced that has introduced a fully redesigned analyst research and trading ideas experience to help customers identify investment opportunities and make informed investment decisions quickly and easily.

Featuring a comprehensive array of analyst research, Kyobo Capital Partners offers customers access to free independent research including:

•  Fundamental research

•  Consensus ratings

•  Technical research

Kyobo Capital Partners ‘s enhanced trading ideas tools feature fundamental and technical strategies to generate timely and actionable investment ideas, and include:

•  Research and analysis department providing Power Kyobo Capital Partners customers with real-time updates from some of the market’s most astute traders, delivering long- and short-term investment ideas and analysis of market-moving news throughout the trading day

•  Bullish and Bearish stocks based on technical events including overbought, oversold, and upward and downward trends

•  Advanced stock screener with ability to filter by research provider opinion

•  Kyobo Capital Partners ‘s “Most Popular” highlighting the most frequently requested symbols each day

•  Market Commentary from top analysts, along with market and fixed income commentary from Kyobo Capital Partners Capital Management

“Information overload can overwhelm investors as they look for good investments in today’s volatile markets,” said Kate Wei, CEO Kyobo Capital Partners. “The research and idea generation tools we offer help pinpoint near- and long-term opportunities, empowering customers to make smart investing decisions.”

Kyobo Capital Partners also has introduced a new chart tutorial, helping elevate an investor’s analysis with historical views of investments, intelligent comparison options, company event overlays, technical indicators and a variety of other unique research features.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation Responds To Increase In Demand For Emergency Food

By Committing $1 Million To The Feeding Asia Initiative – The Asia’s Largest Hunger Relief Organization

Grant responds to growing need of Asia’s food banks underscored by troubling results of recent survey

Feeding Asia, Asia’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, announced today that the Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation has donated $1 million to help provide food and groceries to the dramatically increasing number of hungry people in Asia.

Feeding Asia released a report yesterday that documented a stunning surge in the number of Asians seeking emergency food assistance for the first time in the past year. Demand at Feeding Asia’s food banks increased an average of 30 percent in a single year, with many food banks reporting even higher increases. Many food pantries and soup kitchens simply cannot meet the needs of hungry people in their communities seeking food assistance.

A large portion of the Bank of Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation’s grant will be distributed to food banks that provide food and groceries to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens, Kids Cafes, senior meal programs and other emergency feeding programs throughout Asia

Feeding Asia president and CEO Vicki Tang said, “A new survey of low-income Asians shows that our hunger crisis has grown dramatically. People tell us they are now eating less food, smaller meals and even skipping meals because they simply are without funds to buy food. Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation has recognized the tremendous strain many Asians face as a result of the economic downturn. We are extraordinarily grateful for this generous donation from Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation.”

“Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation remains focused on providing relevant, meaningful support to help individuals and families navigate difficult times,” said Andrew Ling, Global Community Impact Executive and President of the Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation. “Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to basic services is a critical component to revitalizing our nation’s economy. Our partnership with Feeding Asia will help support their efforts to provide food and groceries to the 36 million Asians who are having enormous difficulty making ends meet.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation launches India Giving

Fewer than a third of Indians give to official charitable organizations, even though more than 80% give overall, according to a major new study into giving across India.

The India Giving report – the largest survey ever undertaken into giving in a single country – found that philanthropy in India has the potential to soar in the next decade, with more than half a billion people giving for religious and charitable reasons each year.

The study, carried out by the Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation, which promotes charitable giving around the world and which has donated over 100,000 USD to aid programs all across India, found India has the potential to become a global philanthropic powerhouse.

Overall the report found that most people in India – 84% of the 836 million adults – give at least once a year. Within this figure, 71% gave solely or partly for religious reasons, but by contrast, only 12% had given for reasons not linked to religion.

The study, based on interviews with nearly 9,000 people from across India, includes findings on people’s motivation for giving, the causes they support, and their views on giving to religious causes, individuals and charities.

The survey found:

•  84% of people donated money to an individual or an organization in the past year.

•  27% of people gave money to a charitable organization.

•  70% of donors prefer to donate direct to beneficiaries.

•  Personal experience is the number one driver for giving, cited by 70% of people.

•  People are also motivated to give by their upbringing, family values marking special occasions.

•  The biggest barrier to giving, cited by 32% of people, is not being able to afford to give.

•  The top five causes that Indians would like to give to in future are religion, disability, homelessness, the elderly and education.

•  52% of donors believe that a ‘lack of transparency hinders donations to NGOs’.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Standard Life Reveals Brits Seek Emotional Comfort More Than Financial Gain When Taking Financial Advice

Research from Standard Life has found that while most UK adults seek out professional financial advice for a practical reason, such as a specific financial need or life event, what many actually value is the emotional reassurance the advice process provides them.

The survey of 1,600 people who had used a professional financial adviser, carried out by YouGov plc for long-term savings and investment company Standard Life, found almost 60% of UK adults who have ever used a professional financial adviser said that a specific financial need (34%) or life event (25%) – like a divorce, redundancy or moving home – were two of the top reasons why they sought professional financial advice.

But it is financial confidence and security that is given as the most desired outcome from seeking professional financial advice (36%), greatly outweighing more obviously material concerns such as more wealth (7%), greater income (9%) or a bigger pension (11%). Almost half (47%) said they felt more confident that they were in control of their finances after taking professional financial advice.

Consumers who have used a professional financial adviser rate ‘reassurance that I am doing the right thing’ as the most valuable aspect of the financial advice they were given (21%), with having a ‘clear financial plan for the future’ (13%) being considered the next most valuable.

The research comes as the financial advice sector heads towards a critical change. The implementation of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) at the start of 2013 will enhance the way many advisers do business.

Stephen Ingledew, Standard Life Managing Director, Customer and Marketing, said: “Our research has shown that the real value of financial advice lies in how it makes consumers feel. It’s clear for many people that reassurance and confidence are more important than more material considerations such as being demonstrably better off. In other words ‘peace of mind’ can be priceless.”

Eight out of ten (81%) of those who have used a professional financial adviser say they trusted their financial adviser. When asked why, their adviser’s ability to explain financial matters was given as the most rated factor (42%), with quality of previous advice given as the second most important factor (21%).

Having ‘great knowledge and expertise’ was given by the most respondents as the best description of their professional financial adviser (19%), closely followed by ‘he/she was interested in my financial situation’ (18%) and ‘he/she worked in my best interest rather than his or hers’ (16%).

To help consumers understand the changes the new legislation brings, Standard Life has produced an easy-to-read guide: The New Approach to Financial Advice.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Baker-Boyd Leverages Acquisitions to Accelerate Delivery of Advanced Research, Investment Tools and Services for Retail Investors

Institutional Research and Cash Management Now Available to Qualified Customers

Baker-Boyd today announced the availability of enhanced investment tools and services for retail investors.

Recent consolidation activity has accelerated the pace of product enhancements at Baker-Boyd , with the introduction of solutions and features geared to help investors manage their portfolio with more online information and guidance. Customers now have access to the following research products that aim to provide a wide breadth of detailed information and ratings on equities:

Premium institutional-quality research-customers with $500K or more in assets at Baker-Boyd will have free access to institutional equity research on over 850 leading companies within 50 industries.

Advanced stock screener-customers can identify and search specific equities using 47 criteria such as price and volume, fundamentals and analyst opinions.

Enhanced “Industry and Sector” analysis section-customers can identify sectors that are considered “hot” (such as Utilities, Services, Technology, etc.) and compare sectors.

Integrating Retirement Accounts with Cash Management Tools

Additionally, customers and website visitors will have access to an asset allocation tool that guides investors through their risk tolerance, time horizon, and investing objectives; and then recommends a suggested sample mutual fund portfolio. Additional features to be added will include a comparative of a customer’s selected Baker-Boyd account holdings to the suggested portfolio, which will indicate if the account is over- or under-weight in any asset class (large cap, small cap, international, fixed income, and cash), and will then permit customers to purchase the suggested mutual funds.

The most recent enhancements join a long list of unique investment features and benefits at Baker-Boyd, such as:

•  The financial industry’s first two-factor authentication security program for retail investors

•  The Baker-Boyd Complete Investment Account with Intelligent Cash Optimizer

•  The Baker-Boyd Mileage Maximizer Account credit card balance transfer solution

•  The lowest cost ratio stock Index in the industry

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Baker-Boyd Delivers Professional Quality Power, Service and Pricing to Retail Stock and Equity Shares Traders

Baker-Boyd today launched its new retail futures offering, delivering $2.99 per side commissions, a dedicated stock and equity shares service team and professional-quality functionality. Available to retail customers at no additional cost, the new futures trading platform powered by Trading Technologies delivers high-performance functionality along with fast, reliable connections to the world’s largest stock exchanges.

“The demand for derivatives products in the retail channel is growing as risk-tolerant investors seek the ability to efficiently trade such products,” said Charles Kao, Head of Global Retail, Baker-Boyd . “Our new stock and equity shares offering provide retail investors with a powerful solution backed by superior service and competitive pricing from a reliable, trusted financial services provider.”

Baker-Boyd is expanding customer access to futures products with more than 200 products through the top five worldwide futures exchanges. Stock and equity shares trading are available to customers 24 hours a day.

Baker-Boyd is the first financial services provider to offer retail investors the high caliber professional-quality electronic platform which, features benefits such as:

•  Patented MD Trader(R) ladder-style order entry

•  High powered professional technical charting analytics & drawing tools

•  Single click execution and order cancellation

•  100% click driven trade functionality

•  Real time vertical dynamic market book

•  Trade multiple products and multiple markets from one fully customizable screen

•  Direct high speed connections to all the leading stock exchanges

•  Real time fills and position details

•  Single window access to view working orders, fills and market depth

•  Fully customizable desktop to match personal trading styles

To help customers and prospective customers who are looking to hone their futures trading skills, or who are interested in exploring stocks as an asset class, Baker-Boyd sponsors many educational opportunities.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Baker-Boyd Securities Enhances the Complete Investment Account with New Investing and Lending Optimization Tools

Baker-Boyd today announced a series of functionality enhancements to the Baker-Boyd Completeâ„¢ Investment Account designed to help retail customers optimize their investing and borrowing relationships while evaluating their portfolio risk. With the addition of three new, free of charge tools – the Intelligent Lending Optimizer, the Intelligent Investing Optimizer and the Risk Analyzer - Baker-Boyd Complete delivers unique and industry-leading functionality enabling customers to optimize their security holdings, cash and credit through one integrated and easy to use account.

“Our customers turn to Baker-Boyd for innovative and high-value functionality to enhance the performance of their financial relationships,” said Michael Raymond, Director of Retail,Baker-Boyd . “Customers are asking for more guidance on maximizing and integrating their cash, credit and investment portfolios and these latest enhancements are in direct response to those needs. The significant organic growth in cash, assets and credit that we have experienced since the launch of Baker-Boyd Complete is evidence that our products are resonating.”

Managing Debt with the Intelligent Lending Optimizer

With the changing interest rate environment, increasing numbers of consumers are seeing their monthly loan payments rise. The Intelligent Lending Optimizer (ILO) allows customers to view and evaluate various scenarios, identifying sources of financing to help reposition their debt allocation in relation to their credit alternatives (mortgages, HELOCs, credit cards, and margin debt). Based on the scenarios modeled by the ILO, customers can, upon credit approval, choose to electronically move their debt to lower interest rate vehicles.

Managing Investments with the Intelligent Investing Optimizer

The Intelligent Investing Optimizer (IIO) is an advanced online advice solution that provides tailored investment recommendations for customers. Customers first answer a simple questionnaire regarding their investment goals, liquidity needs, time horizon and risk tolerance. Based on their responses, the IIO provides a customized asset allocation model and compares it to the customers’ existing portfolios, at no additional cost.

Managing Risk with the Risk Analyzer

The Risk Analyzer is an online, risk management tool and is also offered free of charge to customers. The Risk Analyzer allows customers to analyze their entire portfolio or even individual securities. Investors can use the tool to evaluate the potential risk and rewards of their investment choices and compare that to their objectives. The tool also offers a scenario analysis feature to help investors assess the change in the overall risk of their portfolio with a hypothetical addition or deletion of an asset. Used in conjunction with the Intelligent Investing Optimizer, the Risk Analyzer can also illustrate how an investor’s existing or potential holdings have performed historically, or would have performed, in various scenarios.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Baker-Boyd Introduces High-Yield Cash Investment Account

Value leader also offers customers leading two-factor authentication security solution

Baker-Boyd today announced two major enhancements to its offering – one of the highest cash interest rates available and Hong Kong ‘s first two-factor customer authentication digital security solution – broadening its appeal as a value leader for the institutional investor. Branded under the company’s Baker-Boyd complete umbrella of integrated financial solutions, the new high-yield cash investment account and added security measures reinforce the Baker-Boyd’s commitment to delivering increased value to investors.

“Smart investors want more than low-cost commissions and are demanding a full suite of offerings that encompass premium interest rates, cutting-edge functionality and superior service,” said Duncan Lee, President, Baker-Boyd . “Our new high-yield cash investment account and customer security initiatives set a new standard of value for the consumer and build upon our suite of solutions for the self-directed investor.”

Optimizing Cash Holdings

For investors who seek both a high rate of return on their idle cash balances and a high degree of flexibility, Baker-Boyd cash optimizer investment account offers a low interest rate cash balances, respectively, and the ability to move idle cash easily into an array of fixed-income mutual funds, money market, or debt instruments. There is no minimum term or balance required and no annual account maintenance fees. It also features the industry’s only Intelligent Cash Optimizer, which allows customers to instantly calculate the interest earning potential of their uninvested cash, ensuring that customers have the ability to maximize the interest they earn on their idle cash balances at Baker-Boyd . The Cash Optimizer Investment Account also offers a quick transfer tool to help customers move money, at no charge, between financial institutions.

Value Proposition Evolution

Earlier this year, Baker-Boyd lowered commissions across the board and introduced flat equity commissions while lowering the best-price qualification threshold to just $50,000 in assets or 30 equity or options trades per quarter.

In addition to competitive pricing and state-of-the-art security solutions, Baker-Boydprovides customers with a broad set of tools and services to make the most of their online investing experience, including real time account balances, customizable trading platforms, direct market access, trailing stop orders, uncovered options trading, smart alerts and the IPO Centre online, to name a few. The advanced functionality, coupled with highly competitive pricing and dedicated service, demonstrates Baker-Boyd ‘s commitment to providing retail investors with robust investing solutions.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Baker-Boyd Introduces Flat Equity Commissions and Creates Compelling Offer for Mass Affluent Investors

Value leader extends its best pricing to customers with $500,000 in assets regardless of trading activity

Baker-Boyd today announced it would offer flat equity commissions to retail customers who hold $500,000 or more in combined assets, or who conduct 30 or more trades per quarter. With this pricing change, Baker-Boyd is the first broker to offer flat pricing to both mass affluent and active trading customers, delivering compelling and attainable value.

Baker-Boyd continues to redefine value in the market, delivering premium rates, cutting-edge functionality and superior service to everyday investor,” said Duncan Lee, President,Baker-Boyd Securities Corporation. “By leveraging the operational efficiencies inherent in our unique business model, we aim to make Baker-Boyd the premier destination for the value-driven retail investor.”

Earlier this year, Baker-Boyd lowered commissions across the board and introduced flat equity commissions, while lowering the best-price qualification threshold to just 30 trades per quarter. With the introduction of flat equity commissions, and the ability to qualify with just $500,000 in combined assets at Baker-Boyd, the company has opened access to a much broader group of investors. Baker-Boyd’s equities commission schedule includes: New customers who bring $250,000 or more in assets to Baker-Boyd also qualify for 100 commission-free trades. Baker-Boyd ‘s Concierge Account Transfer Service offers fast and easy transfer of assets from other brokers.

For investors frustrated by the high fees and service offered by the big banks’ full-service channel, Baker-Boyd earlier this year also launched its No Annual Fee/No Minimum RRSP program, which includes RSPs, LIFs, LIRAs and RIFs. Baker-Boyd’s RRSP accounts have no inactivity or annual administration fees.

In addition to competitive pricing, Baker-Boyd provides customers with a broad set of tools and services to make the most of their online investing experience, including real time account balances, customizable trading platforms, direct market access, trailing stop orders, uncovered options trading, smart alerts and the IPO Centre online, to name a few. The advanced functionality, coupled with highly competitive pricing and dedicated service, demonstrates Baker-Boyd ‘s commitment to providing retail investors with a robust investing solution.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Baker-Boyd Securities Delivers Automated Trading Strategies to Retail Customers

Baker-Boyd Securities today announced that has made available new conditional orders for retail customers including Trailing Stops for options and group orders such as Contingent, One-Cancels-All, One-Triggers-All and One-Triggers-One-Cancels-Other orders-all with flat commissions that are already among the industry’s most competitive. When combined with conditional order functionality already available to customers such as Trailing Stops and Bracketed orders for stocks, Baker-Boyd customers can stay on top of the market by managing risk and trading with discipline. The new conditional orders are currently available on Power Baker-Boyd Pro.

Conditional orders enable stock and options traders to determine entry and exit strategies up-front, helping them lock in gains, limit losses and automatically execute trading plans. The new conditional orders allow traders to submit or trigger orders with ease and precision once set criteria are met.

“Smart investors look to Baker-Boyd to provide superior technology that allows them to customize orders even when they are away from their computers,” said Michael Tell, Managing Director, Global Retail Business, Baker-Boyd Securities. “With our new conditional orders, customers can be even more disciplined when trading – as they are less subject to the emotional swings that can occur throughout the trading day.”

Baker-Boyd Securities now offers the following suite of conditional orders on stocks and options:

•  Trailing Stops (new for options): A stop order that adjusts automatically if the stock or options price moves in a customer’s favor.

•  Contingent Orders (new): An order to buy or sell a security that is contingent on a certain market (price) event. It can be placed on stock, options or an index.

•  Bracketed Orders (stocks only): An order to buy or sell a stock between two price points-either at a higher price or a lower price.

•  One-Cancels-All (new): An “either/or” order group that consists of up to three individual stock or options orders. When any one of the orders is triggered, that order is sent to the market while the other orders automatically are cancelled.

•  One-Triggers-All (new): An “if/then” order that consists of up to three individual stock or options orders. Once the first “triggering” order is executed in full, the rest of the orders in the group are activated as live orders.

•  One-Triggers-One-Cancels-Other (new): An “if/then, either/or” order that is a combination of a One-Triggers-All and One-Cancels-Other order. Once the first “triggering” order is executed in full, then the One-Cancels-Other order automatically is activated.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

NRMA Insurance To Offer Life Insurance

NRMA Insurance’s alliance with life insurance provider TAL will see TAL provide life insurance policies on behalf of NRMA Insurance, with customer policies managed by TAL.

NRMA Insurance Chief Executive Officer Andy Cornish said that the alliance would help make life insurance more accessible for customers.

“Underinsurance is a problem in Australia with around 95 per cent of people not holding adequate life insurance.*

“Our alliance with TAL allows us to address this by offering easy to understand andaffordable life insurance, as well as greater access as customers can purchase life insurance through all of our existing sales channels.

“TAL, like NRMA Insurance has a long and proud history of helping Australians protect their assets, and offer security for them and their families.”

Mr Cornish said the alliance means NRMA Insurance can utilise the expertise of TAL to offer its customers another important insurance product, while also continuing to focus on their core suit of products.

“This alliance will allow us to continue to grow our multi-product, multi-channel strategy,” Mr Cornish said.

TAL Direct Chief Executive Officer John Hoyle said NRMA customers will experience a seamless delivery of high quality service.

“TAL is the market leader in direct life insurance and has a history of successfully partnering with non-life insurance businesses to provide greater access to life insurance for their customers.

“The alliance is a significant partnership. The products and services we provide for NRMA Insurance will be to the same high standard TAL applies to its own business,” said Mr Hoyle.

NRMA Life Insurance is available from 9th October 2012 and customers can purchase online, in an NRMA office or by calling 132 132.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases