Category Archives: Financial

Financial

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

Umbrella Company Tarpon Comment On The Recent Announcement That MSC Investigations Have Risen Significantly

Under the freedom of information rules, it has been confirmed that the government are clamping down on tax avoidance arrangements through the use of Managed Service Companies (MSCs) legislation. The legislation enables the government to recover tax and National Insurance Contributions, and has caused investigations to treble in a short period of time. The news will no doubt be of interest to those working within both employment and financial industries, including UK umbrella companies such as Tarpon UK Ltd.

The company which submitted the Freedom of information requests to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was recruitment law specialist, Lawspeed. The information revealed that the number of MSC tax avoidance arrangement enquiries had risen from 216 to 860, in the space of 7 months.

Lawspeed make it clear that since there has been 142 debt transfer notices issued since April 2011, recruitment supply companies that work with service providers should be very cautious.

The MSCs legislation defines Managed Service Companies as any contractor company that pays its worker more than employed levels of income. If HMRC discovers recruiters using companies that chose to avoid tax and National Insurance, this may result in the outstanding tax and National Insurance debt being transferred to them.

The director of Lawspeed, Adrian Marlowe, explains that the the law in this area is very complex and technical. He also stated that, “agencies should be careful to independently check the service providers they work with to assess the level of exposure to tax and national insurance transfer.”

A spokesperson from leading UK umbrella company Tarpon commented on the recent discovery:

“Although the number of investigations has risen dramatically, it’s vital that freelancers who are umbrella company employees do not panic. This news will only affect those who continue to avoid paying tax.

“Tarpon are proud to be 100% compliant to all tax legislation, which ensures safety not only to contractors and freelancers, but also clients and agencies.”

“Because there are numerous laws and regulations that must be followed when freelancing and contracting in the UK, we believe that it is up to umbrella companies to provide a genuine employment solution that helps create peace of mind for all employees.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Pinstripes For Banksters And Justice For All. It’s Only Right.

Peaceful restoration of our freedoms and justice for all is what all of us want. Over two hundred years ago when we fought against tyranny for our independence, many lives were lost, some of those were innocent people but in that instance it was necessary, today we hope that our govenrmnet comes to it’s senses and realizes that they can’t and mustn’t favor one class of people over others and justice should be doled out equally to all if a law has been broken-we must not just tolerate crime and look the other way for certain people.

Turn off the TV, don’t let them divert your attention any longer, wake up because your freedoms are slowly and surely being stripped from you. It won’t be long before they knock on the door to your home, they tell you to surrender your guns and issue a decree that you are no longer authorized to protest in any way against the government. This will also include postings online, speech and that your opinions and dissent must be kept to yourself or you will be imprisoned for inciting violence against the government or should I say, the monarchy.

The banks and the government created this financial mess but the citizens, taxpayers and homeowners have had to take the brunt of it and it’s now weighing so much on our shoulders that we can’t tolerate in any further. Stop the insanity now, these people have the misconception that they are Gods, perfect in every way and they put it across to all of us in an arrogant and belittling way. All of us deserve better, we deserve a media that reports the truth, not what the government authorizes or we aren’t any better than Venezuela, where Hugo Chaves controls the media in every way and tries to keep the people uninformed and preoccupied with news and reports of a mundane nature so no one will catch on that he’s fattening his vault just as the leaders of all of the countries in the Middle East that have fallen already to the uprising of the people. If you recall when you read the bible last that Jesus only got angry with one group of people-they were the moneychangers and he cast them out, this is what we must do without hesitation.

The people of this country fought the second World War and defeated two dictatorships that wanted to control the world, but the U.S. men and women of that generation got the job done, everyone worked together, over 20 million men joined the armed forces, while the women took their places in the factories and that’s how it’s done. A peaceful resolution is what we all want but we must leave all options on the table as the government and the banks have already bought the police and they will be utilizing the returning troops to stand guard over all of us but we have hopes that they would not shoot us down like dogs as they may be killing their own loved ones, friends and co-workers at the behest of the real animals that are threatening the values, democracy and economic structure of this country.

If we are going to restore the freedoms and stop the fraudulent bankers from pilfering and betting on our economy and threatening our futures than we deserve what we get, otherwise, let’s get together and demand a stop to his treachery and debauchery orchestrated and implemented by Washington D.C. and Wall Street elitists. Their plan is simple, financial destruction of the multitudes.

Justice for all, no exceptions and If the bankers commit fraud, they must be treated as any other citizen no matter what, including prison sentences if the crime is serious enough to warrant it.

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

Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation Awards $1.2 Million to The Health Research Institute

Three-year grant extension will support programs to reduce childhood obesity

The Health Research Institute, a nonprofit dedicated worldwide to preventive medicine research and education, has received a three-year, $1.2 million grant extension fromKyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation, the charitable foundation of the Kyobo Capital. The grant will continue Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation’s commitment to fund The Health Research Institute’s FITNESS FOR LIFE program, which reaches more than 22 million children in all 40countries. In addition, the grant will support more than 1,100 schools across Asia taking part in a Health Research Institute evaluation study.

Developed in 1982 by The Health Research Institute, FITNESS FOR LIFE is a physical fitness assessment tool that not only measures student health-related fitness levels in schools but alsoprovides reports to parents to further behavior change.

“We’re proud to collaborate with the Kyobo Capital Partners Aid Foundation to find solutions to childhood obesity by tracking health-related fitness results and analyzing how to intervene.” says Kenneth Cheung. Health Research, MD, MPH, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Health Research Institute. “I firmly believe that before we can make improvements to our health we need a good assessment of the situation. That’s what FITNESS FOR LIFE is designed to do.”

Last weekthe President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutritionannounced the adoption of FITNESS FOR LIFE as a key component of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, a new school-based program that promotes health and regular physical activity for children.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with The Health Research Institute as part of our campaign,” says Kyobo Capital Partners Aid FoundationPR Director Roger Hunter. “We are pleased to see the President’s Council join in recognizing the important role that the FITNESS FOR LIFE program can play in our children’s health.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

SpeedyLoansearch.com Improved Its Online Payday Loan Processing

Speedy Loan Search offers short term lending service to its consumers around the United States. Quick payday loans online are one of the leading financial services that enable people to apply for some cash. It goes without saying that there are a lot of websites that offer this service on the Internet, but SpeedyLoanSearch.com has an edge over them, because of easy and secure application form, and a lot of trustful and interesting information about short-term personal loans.

The fast approval and simple eligibility criteria make this service a great option in comparison with traditional banks and credit unions. “Almost every person of more than 18 years old is familiar with monetary difficulties which occur sometimes. There is no surprise that some additional funds can be really helpful in such cases, especially if the desired amount can be obtained within 24 hours! With the help of SpeedyLoanSearch website the extra cash can be taken out with no delays” – says the loans manager at the company.

Actually, online personal loans gained their popularity as they can be fulfilled without leaving cozy chair at home or workplace at office. Besides, they are convenient, quick and require least time and efforts to be completed. No fax cash advance online turn out to be a really good choice for individuals in urgent need of additional money.

There are almost no reasons which can prevent a consumer from getting payday loans with SpeedyLoanSearch.com, of course, if he or she is a legal citizen of the United States of at least 18 years old (the available amount depends on the terms of the direct payday lender dealing with your request and varies from one state to another). Besides, current employment or stable monthly income is required. The requested amount will be transferred directly into the borrower’s bank account that must be valid and active. Any individual interested in this fast service via SpeedyLoanSearch may get more info on the website.

Well, it is obvious that payday lending service that was created to satisfy the needs of the consumers in financial emergencies. That’s why, the service is fast and provided with quick approval. The process of borrowing takes minimum time, usually several hours, as everything is simplified for consumers’ convenience.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Another £400m Into RBS’ PPI Compensation Fund, Says Missoldppiclaims.info

The Royal Bank of Scotland has earmarked an additional £400m to cover the cost of compensation and refunds relating to mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI), says leading PPI Claims Company Missoldppiclaims.info.

The nationalised bank has released figures for the last quarter showing a pre-tax loss of£1.26bn, a proportion of which is due to the allocation of a further £400m to its PPIcompensation fund. In a move echoed around the banking industry in recent months, RBS now has increased its total PPI allocation to now stand at £1.7bn. However, it is unlikely to be the end of the compensation claims for the beleaguered bank.

Its recent computer problems resulted in significant numbers of RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank customers being locked out of their accounts for days, a mistake which has cost£175million so far with a further £50m of compensation put aside.

RBS is also part of an investigation by regulators in the UK, US and Asia – including the fraud division of the US justice department – over the part it played in the manipulation of the LIBOR inter-bank lending rate. With settlement negotiations imminent, the fines that could potentially be applied RBS believe could have a “material” impact on the company.

Despite the problems, RBS showed operating profits for the third quarter increased from£650m to £1bn, while bad debt fell by £159m and staff costs were 5% lower due to a 7% reduction in staff.

Stephen Hester, chief executive of RBS, said: “The extraordinary challenges which RBS faced following the financial crisis are being worked through successfully. The five year restructuring plan is now in its later stages with important work still to do, including an emphasis on dealing with reputational issues now that the bank’s safety and soundness has advanced so well.”

A spokesperson for leading PPI Claims Management Company, Missoldppiclaims.info said: “It’s good to see RBS recognising its responsibilities towards customers that were mis-sold PPI policies, in particular the responsibility to put customers first and treat them fairly. This can be seen in its decision to increase lending to its business customers even though there was a downturn in loan applications, but it would be good to see a similar helpful response to borrowing for its non-business customers with personal loans and residential mortgages.

The reputational issues Mr Hester refers to are likely to be industry criticisms that RBS customers play second fiddle to the short-term interests of shareholders and staff. As a result, RBS has relaxed its lending position towards its small and medium (SMEs)businesses, which has led to a an increase of new lending by 3% since the second quarter despite a 25% drop in SME loan applications due to the Olympics and doubts over the stability of the UK economy.

Analyst Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “There is no doubting the immensity of the task RBS has faced in executing its turnaround plan, nor indeed the progress made so far.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Experian Reveals Mortgage Fraud Set To Surge In 2013

Experian predicts there will be a dramatic increase in attempted mortgage fraud in the UK next year, bringing the number of people fraudulently trying to obtain home loans to the highest level since records began in 2009.

A total of 43 out of every 10,000 mortgage applications are expected to be identified as fraudulent in 2013 – marking a rise of 13 per cent on 2012 figures and 26 per cent on 2011. The majority of attacks are likely to continue to come from first party fraudsters – essentially individuals misrepresenting their own financial circumstances and employment statuses or attempting to hide adverse credit histories.

Meanwhile, Experian’s latest Fraud Index*, which highlights the evolving nature of the fraud threat facing the UK’s financial services sector, also revealed that attempted mortgage fraud in the third quarter of this year was up six per cent on the same period in 2011, with 38 in every 10,000 applications deemed fraudulent – compared to 36 in every 10,000 12 months ago. It is also the first time within the past year that mortgage fraud has overtaken current account fraud as the area targeted most frequently by fraudsters.

Overall, 17 in every 10,000 applications received by financial institutions in Q3 of this year were detected to be fraudulent – seven per cent more than the same time last year, with savings accounts seeing a rise of 58 per cent. However, attempted fraud in the automotive finance sector fell for the sixth consecutive quarter, with 15 in every 10,000 fraudulent applications discovered between July and September 2012 – down 29 per cent when compared with 2011.

Nick Mothershaw, Director of Identity & Fraud Services at Experian in the UK and Ireland, said: “Almost 90 per cent of mortgage fraud tends to originate from genuine individuals misrepresenting their financial situations attempting to buy property that would ordinarily be out of reach. With tougher rules on UK mortgage lending set to come into force in 2014, where lenders will have to put a borrower’s ability to repay under greater scrutiny, it important that they have the correct tools in place to do this, especially as attempted fraud in this industry is set to increase significantly over the next 12 months.

“Increased fraud levels in specific industries mean that it has never been more important to ensure that applications for new credit facilities are analysed for signs of fraudulent activity. Simple steps organisations can take to mitigate risk include robust checking of new applications for credit using tools that reveal first party fraud and organised fraud rings, continually reassessing fraud risk across existing accounts and introducing true identity authentication using facts only a genuine applicant will know on all products, not just the higher risk ones.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Prudential reveals more than 2 million couples have never discussed finances together

Prudential reports that many British couples are burying their hands in the sand over their financial situations. One in seven* (14 per cent) couples over the age of 40 – or around 4.2** million people – admit they have never discussed their finances.

Fears about having awkward conversations drives this behaviour, with 15 per cent of those surveyed admitting they feel uncomfortable talking to their partners about financial planning.

A concern that these conversations will boil over into arguments is another reason that couples avoid talking about their finances – money is the third most likely subject to cause arguments among couples, with nearly one in four (23 per cent) claiming that they fight over finances, ahead of work (10 per cent), and politics and religion (5 per cent). Only household chores (27 per cent) and disputes about family (30 per cent) are more likely to cause disagreements.

Even for the majority of couples who do discuss their retirement plans, long-term issues are likely to be side-lined, as short-term everyday expenses take priority. Daily living costs and household bills are regularly discussed by the majority of couples (60 per cent and 52 per cent respectively), and one in three couples (34 per cent) speak about the costs of home improvements, large purchases and luxuries.

However, discussions about long-term planning are far less prevalent, with only 16 per cent of couples claiming to regularly talk about retirement income and pension planning. Only 3 per cent of couples claim they have had conversations about inheritance planning and tax.

Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement expert at Prudential said: “Money can be a tough topic to discuss at the best of times. Many couples prefer to steer clear of conversations about finances, and especially discussions about longer-term issues like retirement which might feel light-years away. Yet it really pays to be honest about your financial situation. Being open about discussing long-term financial planning as early as possible will help couples to ensure they can enjoy a comfortable retirement together.”

Only 13 per cent of respondents said they had seen a financial adviser with their partners in the past five years. A further 13 per cent say they or their partner has seen an adviser separately within this timeframe and 8 per cent have seen an adviser but not within the past five years. The vast majority (66 per cent) have never seen a financial adviser to discuss retirement or pension planning.

Vince Smith-Hughes continued: “Websites like www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk andwww.moneyadviceservice.org.uk can help with some in-depth information about retirement options. A joint conversation with a financial adviser should help couples to make the right pension savings decisions during their working lives, so that they’ll have the right income to support their lifestyles in retirement.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Confused.com reveals that barking mad Brits leave homes unprotected

New research from home insurance expert, Confused.com has revealed that UK homes are woefully unprotected against intruders with more than three in five (61%) having absolutely no security systems set up.

Latest statistics from The Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that in the past year (2011-12), the UK has been subjected to 677,000 burglaries, yet Brits are still failing to protect their homes against unwanted intruders.

With so many attacks on homes in just 12 months, it’s unsurprising that more than a third (38%) of Brits rarely or never feel safe in their own homes. Despite this, a worrying two fifths (42%) don’t have basic security systems such as motion sensors in place, while a third (33%) don’t even have security lights set up.

ONS figures reveal that flats in urban areas that have been lived in for less than a year are the most likely to be targeted by intruders and burglars. Houses with an annual income of less than £10,000 are also among the most tempting targets for pesky prowlers.

While Brits are woefully unprotected against unwanted visitors, they do believe that deterrents would help allay their fears. A quarter (25%) of UK homeowners believe that guard dogs make for the best intruder deterrents, and in fact nearly two thirds (61%) of dog owners admit to leaving their dogs at home while they’re away on short breaks to ward off would-be burglars. With almost nine in ten (88%) Brits admitting that just seeing an unchained dog on a property would be enough to stop them from entering, it’s undeniable that having a dog at home is an effective deterrent of burglars.

However, an ‘attack’ from a guard dog doesn’t need to be physical to be effective. Nearly a fifth (19%) of respondents admitted that the bark is the most unnerving thing about a dog. A Labrador’s bark is seen as the third scariest (7%), just behind Pit Bulls (9%), while German Shepherds (45%) are the clear winner. German Shepherds have a history of being effective guard dogs. Their size intimidates intruders, and the Guinness World Record holder for the World’s Loudest Bark is held by a German Shepherd as well.

World Record holder, Daz, of Clacton-on-Sea can bark at up to 108 decibels and has been instrumental in keeping his house safe.

With his in mind, Confused.com has launched a free-to-download audio recording of Daz which homeowners can leave playing in their home while they’re out and about. Daz barks intermittently on a reel to create the illusion that the house is occupied and to scare off would-be-intruders so that people across the country can go about their business, safe in the knowledge they’ve got a more secure home. The Doggie Deterrent audio file can be downloaded here - www.confused.com/home-insurance/dogs-prevent-burglaries-for-barking-mad-brits.

Gareth Kloet, Head of home insurance at Confused.com, said: “There are plenty of simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of your home being burgled. Drawing the curtains at night when you’re out; installing security lights and fitting an alarm that’s working are just a few. What’s really stood out in this research is the positive impact having a dog at home has on home security; it helps deter intruders while reassuring the homeowner as well.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Experian strikes new three-year data and analytics deal with Hitachi Capital UK

Experian has announced a renewal of its strategic partnership with Hitachi Capital UK.

The partnership will see Experian continuing to provide a range of acquisition credit risk,customer management, affordability and ID verification products.

Hitachi Capital UK operates extensively in the retail finance sector and has opted to extend its use of Experian’s Detect and Hunter fraud prevention services, improving its control of credit and fraud risk and the efficiency of its application processing.

It will also use Experian’s Electronic Identity Authentication service for real-time validation and ID verification of customers.

Andrew Davies, Head of Risk at Hitachi Capital UK said: “Experian’s analytics and data expertise has given us far better control over both credit and fraud risk, and enables us to run a fast and efficient process at the point of application. This partnership extension will enable further improvements in these areas, extend the positive experience we provide to new customers across all areas of the business and to spot opportunities to strengthen and deepen relationships with our existing customers.”

Gary Wood, UK&I Managing Director for Experian Decision Analytics, said:
“Organisations that are serious about achieving sustained growth are increasingly turning to advanced analytics to drive improvements in their decision making strategies. We have worked closely with Hitachi Capital UK to enable them to make faster and more effective decisions on new customers, to improve their offering to existing customers and to provide more precise insight into credit and fraud risk.

“We are aware that for innovative organisations like Hitachi Capital UK, investing in a highly sophisticated infrastructure that enables it to control risk effectively while helping it grow its lending capabilities is absolutely crucial. This is a significant deal that will play a huge role in protecting the organisation’s asset quality.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Confused.com reveals that ‘Gender has never mattered less’

A new Confused.com report, entitled ‘UK caught in the gender blender’ anticipates new EU gender rules, which will come into force on 21 December 2012. The rules will mean that men and women will be treated identically when it comes to insurance, with no more gender-based discounts for women drivers. Cheaper life insurance for women will also become a thing of the past.

The report reveals that the rules of the gender battle between men and women have changed for good. The Future Laboratory, which compiled the research report on behalf of Confused.com, has identified that the ‘battle for gender-blindness’ will take over from the fight for equality, or feminism.

Other EU countries have already taken gender equality a lot further than the UK but Elise Claeson, who contributed to the Confused.com report, revealed that: “Gender neutrality has been a disaster in Sweden.”

Elise, who is a former equality expert at the Swedish Confederation of Professions, explains: “Gender neutrality has caused an epidemic of relationship breakdowns, because we are sexually attracted to the opposite, yet we have spent years trying to make men and women the same.”

But neuroscientist and author Lise Eliot argued in the report that people’s ability to drive well, to talk about emotions, and to read maps, are not set in stone by our genes or hormones. Instead, they are programmed to be girls and boys by the words and actions of parents and friends.

“Kids rise or fall according to what we believe about them,” she said. “Pre-schoolers are already aware of what’s acceptable to their peers and what’s not.”

She continued: “There is little solid evidence in human studies of sex differences in children’s brains. The idea that girl’s brains are wired for communication and boy’s for aggression is simply a fallacy.

“We still live in a clear two-gender culture. But rather than being something we are born with, our gender identity is set by the nurturing of our parents and the pressures of our peers.”

The report also examines the impact of the new EU gender rules, which will be enforced from 21 December 2012.

Matt Lloyd, Head of Life insurance from Confused.com feels that losing gender as a risk factor for insurance is a step backwards. He commented: “Gender is a stable and useful long term indicator of risk which cannot be replaced easily when the new law comes into effect on 21 December 2012. Women definitely have the most to lose through the changes relating to life insurance.

“It is likely that life insurers will be looking for a similar solution to telematics in the future and that the individual, not the group, will be rated.”

More than half (51%) of people in the UK think that women and men are equal when it comes to driving, sports (52%) and in the kitchen (52%). Tellingly, two thirds (66%) of people also say men and women are business equals.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases