Category Archives: Financial Information

Financial Information

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Saxo Bank Re-Launches ForexTrading.com

Saxo Bank, the specialist in online trading and investment, has re-launched its website www.ForexTrading.com to provide a simple entry point to anyone looking to become a forex trader and to be a useful resource for foreign exchange traders, or others, interested in the trading of currencies.

The redesigned ForexTrading.com website will focus on providing visitors with all the information necessary for traders like topical forex market information, news and analysis from Saxo Bank and third parties, and on forex education using Saxo Bank’s TradeMentor program and comprehensive financial glossary. The ever-popular free forex charting widget will also remain on the website too.

“ForexTrading.com is already a successful domain, attracting large numbers of new and returning visitors. The new version of ForexTrading.com augments the popular forex trading information and analysis of the old site with much more content from Saxo Bank and third parties,” said Hugh Taggart, head of research & analysis tools at Saxo Bank.”

“Visitors to ForexTrading.com are often there just to learn how to trade forex or to see the latest forex quotes, news and analysis. This version of the website answers those needs concisely and provides a link to opening a trial or live account with Saxo Bank,” he added.

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Saxo Bank Celebrates Success Of Its Sponsorship During Tour De France

With Andy Schleck as team leader, the Saxo Bank team won four stages, the youth competition and finished in second place overall. Saxo Bank remained front and centre as the cycling drama unfolded, from Fabian Cancellara’s time trial win in the Rotterdam prologue and Andy Schleck’s seventeenth stage victory in the Pyrenees Mountains to the finale on Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Bringing Saxo Bank fans together to support the team during this year’s Tour de France was an important goal for Saxo Bank in its third season as sponsor of the team. The online bank organised on-site events that let fans and clients experience the race closer than ever before. In Rotterdam, Bruxelles, Avoriaz and Paris, hundreds of guests were given a chance to watch the race as VIPs, meet the riders for autographs and photos and see the mechanics working on the bikes.

Saxo Bank also provided exclusive online coverage on its website, Saxobanktakingthelead.com, including incredible behind-the-scenes looks at Team Saxo Bank’s tactics, training and, of course, the bikes. In addition to the website, Saxo Bank knit the community of cycling enthusiasts and Saxo Bank fans together with real-time race updates and the latest Tour de France developments directly on their computer or mobile phones via Twitter and other social media activities.

Saxo Bank’s Tour de France facts and figures:

– Searches for the Saxo Bank brand on Google doubled over the course of the Tour. – The saxobanktakingthelead.com website had an increase of 459.79% growth in absolute Unique Visitors during the Tour.
– The Saxobank Twitter feed received a record 4,678 followers.

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Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services

Aetna Life Insurance Offers New Services

The LifeInsurance.org News Center reported today that Aetna Life Insurance recently announced some new company service additions. One added option includes a process for expediting claim payments when a loved one passes. The life insurance company has also put into place a method for making funeral planning available to policy holders and their beneficiaries.

What To Expect From The New Services
The new funeral planning services include allowing customers 24/7 access to specialists for advice and suggestions, extensive coordination resources and other services that should help defray costs for individuals dealing with a loss. During such difficult times, members as well as their beneficiaries can get useful assistance to make the best and most appropriate decisions for what can often be a costly experience. To further assist with absorbing some of the expense, Aetna has also implemented a service for speeding along claims for payment to help pay for the funeral beforehand. Such increased value of services help Aetna tailor life insurance policies specifically to customer needs.

The company has also announced its offering of a new program, Aetna Life Essentials. This plan gives members invaluable access to various financial and legal services. The program also provides incentives for clients to maintain their health by offering discounts on gym memberships, exercise equipment and hearing and vision resources. Customers and beneficiaries can also visit licensed social workers for counseling on disabilities or other serious medical conditions.

Scott Beeman, head of Aetna Life Insurance, spoke about the new services. “Our customers are looking to us to provide value-added services aimed at protecting and rewarding talented employees.” He went on to say, “Life insurance is an important part of the benefits package our customers offer their employees, so providing more than just benefit payouts is critical. Our offerings provide information and access to resources on avariety of issues including funeral costs, financial advice, estate planning and legal services. These services can truly make a difference for consumers at a time when they need it most.”

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LV= Warns Of £264m Repair Bill For Alcohol-Fuelled Home Accidents

LV= is warning that accidents caused by Brits drinking and partying at home this summer is predicted to leave UK homeowners with a total repair bill of £264 million*.

New research by LV= home insurance suggests that the explosive combination of the football world cup and hot weather has fuelled a boom in alcohol-related accidents, as Brits increasingly hold parties at home. Based on last year’s breakages, 73,000 TV/computer/games console accidents, 686,000 stains on carpets, and 955,500 breakages have already happened this summer.

Of last year’s accidents 56% admitted that alcohol was involved and 31% stated the guest who did the damage was ‘quite drunk’ when the accident happened. A further 44% admitted they were ‘a bit tipsy’ at the time. The most common accident was broken glass or crockery (29%), followed by spillages causing damage to furniture (22%) or stained and damaged carpets (20%).

LV= is warning homeowners to ensure they opt for accidental damage cover as part of their home contents insurance, so that if any serous mishaps occur they are not left out of pocket paying to put the damage right.

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Debts, Financial, Financial Information, IVA, Loans, Money, Personal Finance

Debt Solutions Company Scottish Trust Deed Welcomes The Bank Of England’s Decision To Keep The Interest Rate On Hold

The company backed the Bank of England’s decision saying this will restore some faith to consumer doubts over the fragile state of the economy.

The company also said this is at least one positive that can be taken f r o m the downturn of the economy, and added that this indicates the central banks Monetary Policy Committee is more concerned about protecting the recovery of the economy than increasing fears of a double dipped recession.

Last month, for the first time since November, the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision was split.

This current base rate marks a point in history as being the seventeenth straight month in which the rate has remained at a low of 0.5%. In a move which may create more controversy, the Bank of England also decided to put a hold on its quantitative easing programme, which is designed to filter newly created money into the economy.

An expert at Debt Solutions company Scottish Trust Deed commented: “The banks decision to hold the interest rate will be welcome news to families on a low income as this is the sector that feels the brunt of the recession more than any of us”.

“The average family in the UK needs an annual income of around £29,000 just to afford life’s basics. Inflation has risen but salaries haven’t. An average person ten years ago with a basic wage, whose salary has increased with inflation cannot afford to live in today’s current financial climate”.

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Saxo Bank Launches New Suite Of Free Forex Widgets

Saxo Bank, the specialist in online trading and investment, is launching a new Forex Content Sharing Program, with a suite of freshly-designed Forex widgets that bring real-time FX prices, charts and commentary, to any website or blog.

Saxo Bank Launches New Suite Of Free Forex Widgets

Forex Trading widgets are ‘mini web pages’ which add live, continually updating FX content to a website. Seven customisable web widgets, including a Forex Quote List, Currency Converter, Forex Ticker, real-time Forex Chart, Economic Calendar, Price Alert and Market Call videos, are now available to webmasters and bloggers who register as Content Sharing Partners. Each widget is based on Flash components, making it simple to add them to any platform, including Facebook, WordPress and Blogger.

“Widgets are becoming increasingly popular as internet tools. Ours allow users to add live Forex content to any website, whether it’s a financial site, an FX trading blog or a travel site offering its customers real-time currency conversions,” said Adrian Coxon, Saxo Bank’s head of Online Marketing.”With our Content Sharing Program, Saxo Bank is making it easier than ever for a variety of websites to add Forex information that will be relevant and useful to their visitors.”

“All of our widgets have been re-designed for today’s blogs and websites,” Coxon added, “And we’re particularly excited to be adding streaming video with Market Call, which delivers video updates from Saxo Bank’s renowned Forex analysts directly to our Partner’s websites.”

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LV Reports Holidaymakers Ignoring Vital Vaccinations

LV= has reported that holidaymakers are putting themselves at risk of serious illness by not having recommended travel vaccinations, as GPs report a rise in the cost of jabs.

According to travel insurer LV=, more than a quarter (26%) of holidaymakers travelling in the past 12 months went without the recommended vaccinations for illnesses such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Diphtheria.

The LV= report found that most of the holidaymakers who didn’t have jabs (19%) simply didn’t bother to seek medical advice and so were unaware of the health risks they could potentially face and one in fifteen (7%) actually ignored medical advice to be vaccinated.

The research found that cost is contributing to holidaymakers’ reticence to have the appropriate vaccinations, with more than one in ten (12%) who didn’t have vaccinations doing so for financial reasons. As part of the LV= report, GP practices were also questioned about their vaccination prices and close to half (43%) reported a rise in the cost of vaccinations over the past five years. The cost of Malaria tablets has increased most steeply, increasing by more than 11%.

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Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Insurance, Investment, Money, Personal Finance

The Children’s Mutual Reveals Dads Are Number One Hero For Kids

The Children’s Mutual has revealed that Dads, and not footballers or pop stars, are the number one hero for kids aged between five and seven for the second year running.

The annual UK poll by The Children’s Mutual has revealed that although Dads have topped the list of heroes, mums will be disappointed as they have fallen from the number two spot last year, to number three in 2010.

However if Dads want to top the list again next year, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels just yet. They face strong competition from fictional characters such as Ben 10, Spiderman and Hannah Montana. Interestingly, there are four new entries in the top 10 this year, with teachers coming in at number five, the ever-popular Cheryl Cole at number six and Granddad at number nine. Those to fall out of favour in 2010’s top 10 include Gabriella from High School Musical, Power Rangers, Dora the Explorer and Sporticus.

Tony Anderson, Marketing Director at The Children’s Mutual, said: “Since last year, Dads have continued to inspire their children and have held on to the top spot to be their number one hero. Dads have beaten off stiff competition from great fictional characters such as Doctor Who and Ben 10 which is a huge achievement.”

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Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, IRA, Money, Personal Finance, Retirement

Prudential Reports Over A Third Of Women Face Retirement Poverty

Prudential has revealed new research that shows more than a third of women (35 per cent) planning to retire in 2010 will receive an income which is below the poverty line* – £14,000 a year or less – according to the latest findings** from Prudential’s Class of 2010 retirement survey.

Prudential Reports Over A Third Of Women Face Retirement Poverty

By comparison 29 per cent of men will face their retirement on an income of less than £14,000 a year.

The gender gap becomes even starker over the age of 65 where 42 per cent of women over 65 will have incomes below the poverty line compared with 33 per cent of men. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a single person in Britain needs to earn at least £13,900 a year before tax** in order to afford a basic, but acceptable standard of living.

Overall nearly a third (32 per cent) of people planning to retire in 2010 will have an income that falls below the poverty line.

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LV= Discovers Wealthy Young Brits Make Easy Target For Thieves

Research from LV= Streetwise has revealed that many young brits are making themselves easy targets for thieves as 92% of 13-15 year olds carry a mobile phone on them whilst out and about with their friends, 74% carry cash and 42% leave the house with an iPod.

The clothes and gadgets carried by the average young teen on Britain’s streets are worth £246*, singling them out as targets for thieves, while 21% of 5-8 year olds carry a mobile phone** and 17% carry cash when they’re out and about with friends.

Many young people carry valuable items like a mobile phone because their parents want to keep them safe. Among 5-15 year olds, as many as 62% said their parents ask them to keep a mobile phone with them. But mums’ and dads’ attempts to protect their children when they’re out on their own may be inadvertently increasing the risk of theft, as 11-16 years olds make up a third of all mugging victims***.

Furthermore, by focusing their concerns on outside threats such as stranger danger, parents could be blinkered with regard to their children’s safety knowledge in and around the home. The LV= Streetwise research shows that 38% of 5-15 year olds would not know how to leave the house safely in the event of a fire, and 15% don’t feel they are able to cross the road safely.

The LV= Streetwise research findings also reveal parental confusion over when it’s right to give their children more independence. 49% of parents**** said they are so unsure about what is the right age to allow certain freedoms to their kids, that they make up the rules as they go along.

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The Children’s Mutual Reveals Cost Of Top Career Aspirations Set To Soar

The Children’s Mutual, the leading Child Trust Fund provider, has revealed new research* that suggests parents could be facing a bill in excess of £100,000 if their children grow up to fulfil their career ambitions.

The annual ‘What I Want to Be’ poll revealed that among five, six and seven year-olds, becoming a teacher, doctor or vet are the jobs of choice. The Children’s Mutual warned parents to start saving now as the latter two could cost £116,000 and £117,000 respectively in 18 years time.

Tony Anderson, Marketing Director of The Children’s Mutual, said: “Parents tell us their young children are highly ambitious and that they, as parents, fully intend to help them fund their futures. But the sums of money the top careers command could cause financial nightmares for families who don’t plan ahead. While the Coalition Government has announced its plan to significantly reduce payments into Child Trust Funds from 1 August 2010 and to abolish the scheme altogether for new babies born from 1 January 2011, the reality is that the cost of children’s futures hasn’t changed. We believe that the only way for parents to financially manage these costs is by saving regularly over the long term and are urging them to continue doing so.”

The Children’s Mutual questioned over a thousand parents about what their children said they wanted to be when they grew up and found that the majority of today’s children are looking for a career which requires further training and education. The top careers of doctor, teacher and vet have featured in the ‘What I Want to Be’ poll for the last three years, demonstrating that children consistently aspire to careers that will need higher education.

According to The Children’s Mutual, 93% of parents of today’s young adults are still funding their children, and the expert in long-term savings for children does not anticipate this changing. The Children’s Mutual is urging parents to continue saving regularly over the long term rather than having to face finding such large sums of money in the future.

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LV Launches Innovative Recruitment Advertising Campaign

LV=, the insurance, investment and pensions group, has announced the launch of a ground-breaking recruitment advertising campaign. The campaign uses unique technology that enables jobseekers to interact with existing LV= staff and find out about the jobs on offer before even applying.

The poster and taxi campaign includes five different poster designs each featuring a different LV= employee who has their own story to tell. The campaign invites jobseekers to take a photo of the poster with their mobile phone and send the image to LV= via MMS or email, using short code 67777 and adding the keyword ‘LV’. Using image recognition software, LV= will then identify which employee was on the poster, and make a pre-recorded call to the jobseeker in which that actual employee says what they do at LV= and what it’s like to work there.

The campaign features imagery around LV=’s iconic green heart and uses a wide range of media including online, social media, outdoor and the innovative poster and taxi campaign. The innovation is continued on LV Careers where jobseekers can interact with existing staff as well as hear from Mike Rogers, group chief executive and apply for jobs online.

There is also a charitable element to the campaign, as for every text received through the campaign LV= will donate 10p to its nominated charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital.

LV= is currently recruiting for staff in many of its 28 offices across the UK. Locations of particular focus include its head office in Bournemouth plus LV= offices in Bristol, Croydon and Huddersfield. The majority of jobs on offer are within LV=’s general insurance division.

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Saxo Bank Launches Forex Education Programme On Facebook

Saxo Bank has announced the addition of a Forex Trading Education tab to its Saxo Forex fan page on Facebook, allowing traders of all experience levels to enhance their Forex trading knowledge and gain new insights into the psychology of trading.

Facebook has over 400 million users worldwide, and a growing number of companies are moving to the platform to educate and communicate with customers. The Saxo Forex Facebook page has seen a rapid growth in number of ‘fans’, Facebook’s term for users who show interest in the company and automatically receive all updates of the page. Since its launch in February the page has attracted over 5,500 fans, a large percentage of whom read new posts and follow discussions on a daily basis. The page enables users to participate in Forex trading discussions and stay informed of upcoming events, such as seminars.

Many Facebook users with little trading background discovered the page as well, and asked for ways to improve their Forex Trading knowledge. Saxo Bank formulated an education application that is useful for traders of all experience levels. The programme consists of beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert sections. The application will soon be recieving an update, giving visitors the opportunity to test their knowledge beforehand in order to help them decide at which level to start learning. The update will also give users the option to post their progress in the education section on their wall, which will be visible to this person’s contacts.

Educating clients has always been one of Saxo Bank’s strengths. TradeMentor, its existing education programme, offers online and offline course materials on both Forex Trading and CFD Trading and the company aims to reach a broader audience with the Facebook application, giving users the opportunity to discuss the topics with other traders.

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LVAM To Be Offered By Verbatim

LV= Asset Management (LVAM), the fund management arm of mutual insurance and investment group LV=, has reached an agreement to offer the LV= Managed Portfolio fund range via Verbatim Asset Management, the investment firm launched by The SimplyBiz Group in February 2010.

LV= Managed Portfolios are global, unfettered, multi manager funds that are managed to reflect client risk profiles 4 to 7 within Dynamic Planner, the leading client risk profiling tool used by some 18,000 advisers in the UK. Verbatim is offering SimplyBiz Member Firms and Compliance First Clients use of its own risk a s s e s s m e n t tool – powered by Dynamic Planner – to better match product solutions to clients’ risk profiles completely free of charge.

Verbatim offers member firms a compliant and robust process that stretches f r o m the a s s e s s m e n t of client needs, through the determination of the right investment mix to meet those needs, and the selection of high quality products appropriate to the client’s a s s e t allocation. Clients will benefit f r o m suitable product matching, while advisers can be confident that TCF and RDR considerations will have been addressed.

About LV=
LV= is a registered trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) and a trading style of the Liverpool Victoria group of companies. LV= offer a range of insurance products including home insurance policies, motor insurance, life insurance, pet insurance and 50 plus life cover.

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The Children’s Mutual Finds Parents Of Younger Children Being Warned To Start Saving

According to research by The Children’s Mutual, a leading Child Trust Fund provider, parents of 18 to 30-year-olds are warning families of younger children to start saving now to fund the future, with nearly a 28% saying that they have either remortgaged or are planning to remortgage to fund their child’s adulthood. The research also revealed that many parents of adult children said that if they had their time again they would have saved more.

The Children's Mutual Finds Parents Of Younger Children Being Warned To Start Saving

As the coalition Government threatens to cut the Child Trust Fund (CTF), The Children’s Mutual is urging parents whose children are eligible for the accounts to make the most of them while they can.

David White, Chief Executive of The Children’s Mutual, said: “Saving for your child is a ‘necessity’ not a ‘nice-to-have’. Parents of today’s 18 to 30-year-olds are having to find an average of £30,000 to fund their adult children the hard way – by remortgaging or borrowing further. We believe the only way that most families will be able to help fund children to fulfil their potential going forward is by saving regularly over the long term.”

Parents of CTF holding children should not be disheartened or confused by the coalition’s proposal. The Government has confirmed that for existing customers, the accounts will remain as they are; meaning that the families of the five million CTF holding children across the UK can continue to save up to £1,200 a year tax efficiently to help give their child a much needed springboard into adulthood.

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The Children’s Mutual Reports Saving For Children Is Still Crucial

The Children’s Mutual, a leading Child Trust Fund provider, reports that saving for children is crucial and urges the 5 million families whose children hold Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts to continue saving for their children into CTFs.

The Children's Mutual Reports Saving For Children Is Still Crucial

David White, Chief Executive of The Children’s Mutual, said: “The CTF has changed the nation’s savings habits and we congratulate families across the UK for recognising the critical importance of saving for their children’s futures.”

According to The Children’s Mutual, today’s parents are paying out an average of£30,000 to fund their children between the ages of 18 to 30 and these costs are only expected to rise for families of tomorrow.

The Children’s Mutual urges families to not be disheartened by the Government’s announcement to stop all payments to Child Trust Funds by January 2011, but to continue to help their children fulfil their future potential by saving regularly over the long term. CTF holding children now have a unique asset that others will not.

The Children’s Mutual also revealed that the Child Trust Fund is the single most successful savings policy to date and that this sort of short term cut does not address the pressing need for families to save or recognise the significant benefit to society that the CTF will bring from 2020 as maturing funds return an anticipated £2.96bn each year to the economy.

David White continued: “We also reassure our current and existing customers that having been in existence for the last 129 years, we have been providing long-term savings accounts for children and helping support families throughout our history. We are committed to continuing to do so in the future.”

Launched in 2005, Child Trust Funds were designed to provide a tax efficient, long term savings vehicle for all eligible children. Newborn children (born on or after 1 September 2002) received a £250 Child Trust Fund voucher (£500 for low income families) from the government when their parents registered for Child Benefit. The government then makes a second contribution of £250 (£500 for low income families) when the child reaches seven. Parents, family and friends can all then add to this account up to a maximum value of £1,200 each year. The proposed changes to the CTF will mean that for existing customers the accounts remain as before, with an annual tax-efficient top up allowance of £1,200, albeit without government’s additional contributions from 1 August 2010.

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LV= Announces Improvements To Its Protection Range

LV= has announced that it has improved its term rates for higher sums assured, re-priced its FPP Term Assurance, Family Income Benefit and Gift Inter Vivos products, as well as cut prices on its accident and sickness cover under its Mortgage & Lifestyle Protection product.

The changes to the term rates for higher sums assured, typically between £150,000 and £300,000, come soon after LV= re-priced its critical illness cover, meaning LV= is now leading the way on price for many term assurance contracts.

Mark Jones, head of protection at LV=, said: “These improvements will help us offer customers a combination of great experience, proven ability and competitive prices. We make no bones of the fact we are keen to expand our customer base for term assurance, especially at the higher sums assured end of the market.”

LV= has also improved all of its accident and sickness rates for lower risk occupations under its award winning Mortgage & Lifestyle protection product.

Mark Jones concluded: “The re-pricing of our accident and sickness rates within our Mortgage & Lifestyle Protection product for lower risk occupations is a clear demonstration of our strategy for marrying competitive pricing with market leading product innovation. We are very pleased to be able to reduce all of these premiums, as this further enhances an already top class proposition for mortgage advisers.”

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Prudential Research Shows Advisers Turn To With-Profits Investments

New research* from Prudential shows that up to a third of advisers expect to recommend with-profits products to clients this year with bonds the most popular.

Prudential Research Shows Advisers Turn To With-Profits Investments

30 per cent of financial advisers expect to advise clients to invest in with-profits products during 2010. Of those, 63 per cent say with-profits bonds are the most popular with clients, followed by with-profits pensions and then with-profits annuities.

Prudential, whose with-profits fund returned 18.9 per cent in 2009** and paid out £2 billion to policyholders, believes with-profits are increasing in popularity as advisers look for investment products which aim to deliver long-term and steady returns.

The research went on to show 82 per cent of advisers believe long-term performance is the most important attribute when recommending investment products which reflects the growing concern about stock market volatility – just 40 per cent of advisers say the majority of their clients are happy to be subject to market volatility when making investment decisions. Around 22 per cent of advisers say only a minority of their clients are now happy to be exposed to market volatility following recent stock market peaks and troughs.

Andy Brown, Director of Investment Funds at Prudential, said: “With-profits sales have strengthened in the past 18 months as investors have looked for more cautious alternatives to pure equity investment and the growing interest looks set to continue into 2010 despite the strong recovery in the stock market.

“Clearly not all advisers are convinced by the with-profits investment story, however not all with-profits funds are the same and it’s important that investors are not misled by generalisations about the performance of these products. Our consistent approach to smoothing and bonus setting has served our policyholders well, protecting them from the full impact of volatile investment conditions while giving them the confidence of knowing that their savings are invested in a financially strong and well-managed Fund.”

Of those advisers who would recommend with-profits to their clients, 53 per cent said that financial strength was the most important factor when considering a with-profits provider.

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International Figures Show UK Lagging When It Comes To Child Mortality Rate, Prompting Concern From Life Insurance Comparison Site Quoteboffin.co.uk

New research has shown that the UK has the highest child mortality rate in Western Europe. With a rate of 5.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, the UK is falling behind other rich countries when it comes to cutting the number of child mortalities.

International Figures Show UK Lagging When It Comes To Child Mortality Rate, Prompting Concern From Life Insurance Comparison Site Quoteboffin.co.uk

International figures have revealed that child death in the UK, along with the USA, New Zealand and South Korea, has not reduced the number of child deaths as quickly as expected.

The figures, from a team at the University of Washington in Seattle, have prompted life insurance comparison site Quoteboffin.co.uk to speak out about its concerns. A spokesperson for the company explained:

“It is extremely concerning to see that the UK is lagging behind its counterparts. As one of the most developed countries in the world, it seems shocking to think that we are not able to quickly and significantly cut the number of child mortalities.

“To receive this information at a time when the NHS is at the focus of attention makes us hope that ensuring everyone gets the care they need is at the top of the agenda for ministers.”

The UK’s mortality rate saw the country fall from 10th in the global chart to the 33rd and the research also found that the decline in deaths in the under fives is reducing more quickly in poorer countries, according to The Lancet.

However, the BBC reports that the global child mortality rate has dropped from 11·9 million deaths in 1990 to an estimated 7·7 million deaths in 2010 in children under five. While the UK has continued to reduce mortality rates, by three quarters since 1970, a large number of other European countries have overtaken it.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health highlighted the fact that infant mortality is at the lowest rate ever in the UK, but there are still calls for the country to have a close look at neonatal and child care.

Life insurance comparison site Quoteboffin.co.uk is among those calling for increased efforts in the coming years. It said: “While the number of deaths does continue to fall, we believe is it not falling fast enough and would like to see assurances that money will continue to go towards research and medical care for threats to the health of infants.

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