Category Archives: Financial

Financial

Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Home Equity, Investment, Loans, Money, Mortgage

Michael Leary Will Manage Merger Talks Between AFG And Apex Investment Services

On 05/15/2010 Peter Cennamo announced their plans to take The Alternative Funding Group (AFG) public in 2011 and their new merger with Apex Investment Services this week in Sydney. The Alternative Funding Group serves as a Hard Money Lender for Non Owner Occupied Investment Properties. Apex Investment Services is one of the leading Investment Firms in Australia.

Peter Cennamo says their partnership with Apex Investment Services will provide them with a dominate partner in the markets as well as provide them with an in house expert in currency trading.

“Having a partner like Apex Investment Services will allow us to benefits from investments made in the currency markets while continuing to acquire as much investment property as we can within the US Markets” says Peter Cennamo CFO of The Alternative Funding Group.

Hard Money lenders assume the majority of the risk in real estate investing by only investing in properties at a profitable LTV (Loan to Value) Percentage. The actual investment property is used as collateral therefore there is no need to use the investor’s money or in most cases their credit. Hard Money Lenders are simply looking for really good deals, and to establish a profitable relationship with investors based on their ability to eventually sell the investment property.

Thomas Rothstein of the Real Estate New Network ( www.thomasrothstein.org ) says “the sweetest deals going right now for investors are currently offered by The Alternative Funding Group.” Despite the fact that AFG will only fund deals within certain states, there are no requirements that you actually live in one of their servicing states. The basic requirement is that you have at least a 680 FICO (credit score), and at least four months of monthly mortgage payments in the bank in case the home does not sale within the allot time frame you requested.”

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Money

Bigmouthmedia Finance Summit Warns That Change To Online Sales Is Urgently Needed

The founder and CEO of Money Dashboard is set to tell the bigmouthmedia Finance Summit that his sector urgently needs to address the way financial products are sold online.

According to Gavin Littlejohn, who launched the open beta phase of the company’s new offering at TechCrunch Edinburgh event this week, there is a widening gulf between the FSA’s requirements for providing consumers with straightforward information and the financial sector’s ability to provide it. He will tell an audience of finance sector executives at the 2nd annual bigmouthmedia Finance Summit that:

“In many ways the financial industry has been left trailing in the digital revolution’s wake. Despite the fact that online should be a channel ideally suited to selling products based on hard facts and reliable data, we have yet to see the sector develop a consistent, credible approach to selling financial services,” said Littlejohn.

“Set against a background where regulators have consistently pushed providers towards more professional practices, this situation is simply untenable.”

Money Dashboard’s personal finance software links consumers with their online banks and credit cards, showing all of their spending in one place, helping them understand where their money is going and making it much easier to manage their finances. Speaking in the wake of to the service’s open beta launch, Littlejohn will discuss the ethical, legal and practical issues arising from the move online in a session entitled “Moving from Face-to-face to Online Distribution”.

He will be joined by a panel of industry-leading online finance experts speaking on a range of themes including the development and history of online financial marketing and the issues surrounding best-practice in selling savings products via digital channels. Taking the podium at the bigmouthmedia Financial Summit will be Thisismoney.co.uk editor Andrew Oxlade and Colin Tomkinson, head of digital marketing at Barclaycard. Google senior head of Financial Services Ian Morgan will also lead a session.

Continuing the compliance theme, bigmouthmedia senior finance strategist Chris Cathcart will also unveil the findings of the company’s latest survey into buying financial services online.

“Despite the degree to which the digital channel has impacted upon every business sector, the world of finance has been lamentably slow in coming to terms with the online marketplace,” said Cathcart.

The bigmouthmedia Finance Summit takes place in London on May 26th and is a free event aimed at senior marketing and ecommerce executives. Places are limited, but those wishing to attend the bigmouthmedia event can register online for an invitation.

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, Money, Personal Finance

Trade in Gold – Risk Free

Is it really possible to invest in the gold market completely risk free? Well according to Best Invest in Gold the answer to that is a resounding yes. In conjunction with the launch of their new website, www.bestinvestingold.com, they are offering an incredible incentive to attract new investors.

With international offices in Milano, Italy, and Frankfurt, Germany, Bestinvestingold.com has been professionally branded for the retail investor in almost any country, be it the United States or the United Kingdom, to have access to information and trading platforms dealing in gold futures contracts not typically available through their brokerage accounts. In addition to the company’s new logo, it has selected as its tagline, “Trading Your Gold Futures”, to indicate not only its known expertise in trading the gold futures and gold options contracts, but also to communicate its message that in today’s economic environment, commodity and other type investors can look at gold trading as another alternative investment vehicle to build their future portfolios.

A spokesman for the company said that with gold currently trading in the US$1,200 area, and having tripled over the past eight years, he sees no reason for this trend to end. However, f r o m a trading perspective, it does not really matter which direction gold is moving as the company uses sophisticated trading models to lever up the investment for maximum returns by following short-term trends occurring on different exchanges in response to fast moving market conditions as they happen.

“It may not be uncommon for a U.S. based gold commodity investor to be familiar with The Chicago Board Of Trade or The Chicago Mercantile Exchange, but, just as an example, how many have taken advantage of the opportunities on the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchanges which has historically been an international hub for the physical trade of not only gold, but also many other commodities? Being specialists based in Europe, we have been making these platforms available to American and European investors since 2005.”

In addition to receiving newsletters and updates regularly, Bestinvestingold.com has their unique first trade strategy for new clients. The firm will match you dollar for dollar in your investment and guarantee to absorb any loss through its tightly controlled risk management trading strategies. If the market moves in the planned direction, through the use of futures and options contracts, each dollar invested becomes more valuable by $1,000. Should the market move against you, the traders will sell out the position and send you back your investment plus ten percent (10%).

Thus, as the company boasts, “You really do have nothing to lose. When introducing a new client, we want them to know we are confident in our ability to make money for them as they deploy risk capital,” In conjunction with the release of the Bestinvestingold.com video website, the company is currently offering a free downloadable report titled, “The Five Reasons Gold Will Hit $5,000”.

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

Prudential Finds Brits Fear Outliving Pensions

Prudential research findings show that more than half (59%) of British adults fear they will outlive their pension savings, as increasing longevity means workers are having to save more money to fund a longer life in retirement.

The findings from the new research* commissioned by Prudential also revealed that 55% of British adults are creating ‘second pensions’ and supplementing retirement income with additional savings and investments in order to make ends meet.

Almost one in three (31%) of British adults have or are looking to boost pension savings and create second pensions with Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) which have the same or better tax breaks as a regular pension. 36% said they intend supplementing their pension with additional cash savings, 17% are looking to boost pension income using stocks and shares and 15% plan to downsize their homes and release equity.

In addition 19% of British workers would consider using paid employment to help fund their retirement over and above their expected pension income.

Despite this, more than one in three (36%) of British adults still intend taking a lump sum from their pension at point of retirement, reducing their retirement income, with the average British worker looking to take around 17% of the fund from their pension as a single tax-free payment.

Richard Harrison, Corporate Pensions Director at Prudential, said: “Increasing longevity means workers are having to accept that pensions will be stretched over a longer period and will therefore deliver a lower income than they might expect. Today, a 30-year old man can expect to live until he is 86 years old**.

“This is a scary proposition for people considering how to fund their retirement but there are plenty of options for boosting savings, including tax-efficient Additional Voluntary Contributions. We believe everyone should see an independent financial adviser to ensure they are saving enough to fund their life in retirement.

“For many people, taking a lump sum and also having a pension that provides sufficient income to live a comfortable retirement will not be possible unless they save more or retire later.”

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

LV= Finds Dodgy DIY Improvements Damage House Values

New research by home insurer LV= has revealed that in the last few years as many as 4.05m homeowners have undertaken electrical jobs without professional help, 3.3m have attempted plumbing work and 1.35m have carried out structural work such as removing walls. 900,000 have undertaken major building works, such as loft conversions, and 450,000 have tackled potentially dangerous gas repairs.

According to the LV= survey, many homeowners admitted undertaking these works in an attempt to improve the resale value of their homes. However, the effects of doing these jobs badly can reduce the sale price of a property by more than 5% in some cases.

John O’Roarke, managing director of LV= home insurance, said: “With house prices falling or stagnating in some parts of the UK, it’s understandable that many homeowners should try to bump up the value of their properties through DIY home improvements.

“But although nine out of ten people in our survey (88%) recognised that jobs like gas work should only be left to the professionals, nearly 0.5m Brits are still prepared to give it a go. Not only could bungling these jobs be dangerous, and costly to put right, but if they caused a serious problem with the property it could invalidate the home insurance cover.”

The LV= report surveyed both homeowners and estate agents, and reveals a myriad of conflicting opinions when it comes to the impact of DIY improvements. 21% of home owners believe that redecorating adds the most value to a house, followed by kitchen refurbishment (14%), garden work (12%), and bathroom replacement (6%).

Meanwhile 69% of estate agents believe decorating will make no difference at all to the asking price of a property. 64% responded that garden landscaping won’t add value; whilst 22% said even a new kitchen won’t improve the price. Estate agents also believe that the sale price of a property could decrease by more than 5% in some cases, if ‘improvement’ work was done poorly.

Despite popular opinion, estate agents say that some of the most costly jobs are likely to have only a minimal impact on the asking price of a home. Those agents who believe that improvement work usually or always adds value reported that a new kitchen, if done well, can add around 2.5% to the price, while a good new bathroom or garden landscaping can each add 2.2%.

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Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Statements, Insurance, Insurance Services, Profits

LV= Reveals That Today’s Kids Have Less Freedom Than Previous Generation

According to new research from LV= Streetwise, a charity which educates children about safety, today’s parents don’t allow their kids the same liberties as they enjoyed when they were growing up.

24% of children aged 15 and under said they aren’t allowed to sleep over at a friend’s house, 60% are forbidden to use public transport on their own, and 43% can’t visit their closest park without a parent by their side. In contrast, just 4% of adults were banned from sleeping-over, 2% were forbidden to use public transport or go out on their own in familiar surroundings, like their local town or park.

The restriction on children’s outside activities appears to be a direct result of parents’ growing fears and anxieties. 65% of mums and 63% of dads believe the world is more dangerous now than it was when they were growing up. ‘Stranger danger’ is the biggest worry for 54% of parents, followed by bullying (47%), mugging (47%) and road danger (34%).

On average, children today can look forward to walking to school on their own by the age of 11, use public transport on their own at 12, and babysit their brother or sister by the time they’re 14, compared with the respective 9, 11 and 12 years of age of their parents generation. However many parents know they’re being tougher on their children with 36% feeling uneasy that their kids don’t get the same opportunities as they did to experience freedom as a youngster.

The new research findings mark the launch of the unique LV= Streetwise safety roadshow, which helps to educate children about safety in the home and outdoors using a converted ‘bendy bus’ featuring a life-size kitchen, lounge, and road and rail hazard simulators. The roadshow will be travelling round county fairs and other outdoor events across the UK this summer.

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Banks, Business, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Money

VocaLink Take Home Pay Index Reverses Recent Increase Hitting Record Low In April

The VocaLink Take Home Pay Index reflects the continuing uncertainty in the UK labour market as it drops to its lowest level on record of 0.9 per cent. The Index has now fallen below its previous lowest level of 1.0 per cent recorded in February this year. In March, the VocaLink Take Home Pay Index showed signs of recovery as it leapt up 0.5 percentage points to 1.5 per cent, but these gains have been reversed in April’s figures. As the Index continues to fluctuate between a low range of 0.9 per cent and 2.0 per cent, it indicates a fragile, sluggish economic recovery.

VocaLink Take Home Pay Index Reverses Recent Increase Hitting Record Low In April

The gains made in manufacturing sector pay growth in March have been reversed in April with the VocaLink manufacturing index falling by 0.7 percentage points. Services sector pay growth has also contributed to the drop in the overall VocaLink Take Home Pay Indexfor April by decreasing 0.5 percentage points to hit just 1.0 per cent.

While the latest industry figures show that the UK economy has continued to grow in the first quarter of 2010, it has done so at a slower pace than in the final quarter of 2009. This fragile recovery means that 2010 is likely to remain tough for households as the recent spike in inflation is not being reflected in higher pay growth. As such, real income growth is weak, which is placing downward pressure on increases in consumer spending.

Marion King, Chief Executive Officer at VocaLink, said: “The drop in this month’s VocaLink Take Home Pay Index continues to show the long-term trend of depressed pay growth. The last 13 months have seen take home pay fluctuate between a range much lower than the 4.0 per cent pre-recession average. Firms are continuing to keep their labour costs contained as competitive pressures remain high and economic activity recovers only gradually. In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the impending General Election is likely to result in caution over major business decisions.”

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Assets, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Money

UK Finance Advice Reforms Essential, Says Life Insurance Comparison Site Quoteboffin.co.uk

The complexity of the many financial services in the UK has resulted in a knowledge gap that leaves some investors and consumers unsure of where they stand, claims insurance comparison site Quoteboffin.co.uk.

The company says that the current debates over financial matters that are taking place in the run up to the elections only serves to further confuse the general public. Quoteboffin believes this increase in the knowledge gap could lead to consumers making rash decisions or choosing to listen to biased or incorrect financial advice.

Financial correspondent Matthew Vincent reported in the Financial Times that the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and independent advisors agree that financial advice in the UK must be reformed. Quoteboffin is concerned that if reforms can’t be agreed on, investors will be at risk of losing out.

“Understanding of financial investments, deals and insurance policies is crucial to ensure that people are able to make an informed choice about the contracts they are agreeing to.

“False, biased or incomplete advice means that consumers could be putting their faith in the wrong person or company, and paying a high price for it.”

The FSA is also vocally backing reforms and is insisting that no matter what the UK elections hold, the government must hold fast to promises that the payment of upfront commission to financial advisors would be banned by 2013.

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Money

Bigmouthmedia Warns Online Finance Sector Set To Face New Challenges

Bigmouthmedia is to warn Britain’s financial services sector that the industry must adapt to a rapidly changing online marketplace or suffer far-reaching consequences.

Bigmouthmedia senior finance strategist Chris Cathcart will tell an audience of senior executives at the second annual bigmouthmedia Finance Summit next month that the online revolution is creating a new set of challenges which the industry must either meet head-on or risk losing ground to a raft of new players offering personal finance products. Revealing the results of a brand new survey into the sector’s approach to selling savings and insurance via digital channels, Cathcart will outline a shifting landscape to which businesses must adapt or face potentially far-reaching consequences.

“Even as most of the sector is beginning to dust itself off and recover from the effects of a disastrous few years, a new challenge is presenting itself that could have far-reaching consequences. Consumers are deeply suspicious of the industry as a whole, and if the UK’s finance organisations are to recover their reputation for probity and trustworthiness they are going to have to radically alter their approach to selling products online,” said Cathcart.

“With raft of new brands emerging to challenge existing players for consumers’ business, the internet is poised to become a key battleground in the finance sector’s fight for the future.”

Cathcart will be joined by a panel of industry-leading online finance experts speaking on a range of themes including the development and history of online financial marketing and the issues surrounding best-practice in selling savings products via digital channels.

Taking the podium at the bigmouthmedia Financial Summit will be Thisismoney.co.uk editor Andrew Oxlade and Colin Tomkinson, head of digital marketing at Barclaycard. Google senior head of financial services Ian Morgan and MoneyDashboard.com CEO Gavin Littlejohn will also lead sessions.

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Business, Currency, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Financial Statements, Forex, Investment, Money, Profits, Trading

OnlineFX Announce Relaunch Of Website

OnlineFX has announced the launch of its website which has recently been completely rebuilt and relaunched, offering customers even greater ease of use and more enhanced security features. The new site now features on a dot com domain which appeals to a wider market including the USA.

The OnlineFX website offers a convenient, secure and cost effective way to transfer money to bank accounts across 70 countries worldwide. The website now offers unique services to make ordering travel money even easier. Money transfers are carried out using the same systems as major banks, and OnlineFX dealers are committed to obtaining advantageous exchange rates for all transfers.

To celebrate the launch of the new site, OnlineFX, which was the first company to offer currency delivery online, is running special promotional offers including free international money transfers for all new customers and a free international money transfer for all existing customers who refer a friend.

The company has also just announced an exclusive new free same day travel moneydelivery service to all customers in Central London. This unique same day delivery service guarantees customers’ travel money will be delivered before 6.30pm if ordered for anywhere within the Zone 1 area of London. Orders for this new faster service must be between £3000 and £7000 – OnlineFX is the only UK company to offer this service.

OnlineFX has also introduced a more secure online Buyback Service, allowing customers wishing to sell leftover foreign currency to receive a buyback exchange rate upon receipt of foreign currency notes which is based on the very latest buy back rates.

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Financial, Financial Services, Home Equity, Loans, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance

UK Borrowers Paying Too Much For Life Insurance From Their Banks

Life Insurance for a man aged 30, covering a £150,000 mortgage, costs £17.05 a month from HSBC and £15.95 a month from RBS. The same cover from Legal and General costs £7.73 a month and from Aviva, £8. Savings would be more than £100 each year and in excess of £2,500 over the 25 year life of a mortgage.

Richard Morea, Technical Manager at L&C said, “Anyone who has bought life insurance from their bank should review whether it represents best value for money. The simplest way to see if they could save money is to use L&C’s minute Life Insurance Check calculator This will show them quickly if their current premium can be beaten for equivalent cover. Anyone currently applying for a mortgage via their bank should get independent quotes for life insurance – the savings could be substantial.’

For a free life insurance review, speak to one of L&C’s expert advisers on 0800 073 1932.

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Financial, Financial Services, Home Equity, Loans, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance

London and Country were named Best Mortgage Adviser at the prestigious Money Marketing awards at the end of March

This is the fifth time L&C have won this award in the past seven years; a feat achieved by no other mortgage broker, and reconfirms their position as the preeminent mortgage broker in the UK.

London and Country were named Best Mortgage Adviser at the prestigious Money Marketing awards at the end of March

The judges applauded L&C’s customer focus and excellent performance, despite the most challenging of market conditions. David Hollingworth, Head of Communication at L&C said, ‘we were delighted to win the Money Marketing Best Mortgage Adviser Award for the fifth time. It is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our staff. In the extremely difficult market conditions we are currently operating in, it is clear that our no fee, whole of market proposition is attractive to a growing number of consumers.’

London & Country (L&C) is the UK’s leading no-fee mortgage broker. Based in Bath, it provides whole of market advice via telephone and post to clients nationwide. As well as residential mortgages, it also specialises in the Buy-to-Let and adverse-credit sectors.

L&C is a Climate Neutral company and for the last seven years has invested in climate friendly projects and tree-planting to help offset its emissions and those of its customers. For more information, go to www.lcplc.co.uk/green.

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Debts, Financial, Financial Services, Loans, Money, Personal Finance, Security

Payday Loans Specialist Demonstrate Continued Success in the Battle Against Identity Fraud

Payday Loan Company, Payday Express continue to help thin the number of identity fraudsters operating online with successful fraud prevention and prosecution.

Payday Loans Specialist Demonstrate Continued Success in the Battle Against Identity Fraud

Payday Express, one of the UK’s leading Payday Loans specialists maintains continued success in the war against online identity theft and fraud thanks to their steps taken to help prevent and prosecute cases which may have led to wrongful loan payouts.

Payday Express is a provider of online cash advance loans. Customers can apply for a payday loan on their website and then receive an instant approval decision during the online application. While fraudsters may be attracted to online processes where they don’t have to provide falsified documentation to apply for a loan, Payday Express have mitigated this risk by utilising a number of identity verification and fraud prevention checks both on and off-line. These successfully prevent many criminals from being accepted for credit with misrepresented application details.

Fraud Liaison Officer, Hannah Waters said “We at Payday Express take fraud very seriously and understand how important it is for consumers to feel safe when applying for credit”.

“We investigate every case of suspected fraud, whether funds have been transferred or not”, Hannah went on to say with regards to how suspicious activity is handled at Payday Express.

This investigation process ultimately leads to reporting cases of known and suspected fraud to the Police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) to help bring scam artists to justice.

In a recent case in March 2010 Payday Express once again successfully charged a fraudster to court, in this case with five offences of fraud by false representation.

Hannah advised, “we liaise with a number of authorities on a regular basis to assist with investigations where the information we provide could be the missing piece of the puzzle to track the fraudster down. In the instances where the fraudsters are caught we will prosecute”.

With such detailed and thorough checks made for each application and such a serious approach to fraud prosecution Payday Express is proud to do its part in the fight against online identity fraud.

To apply for fast payday loans or learn any more about Payday Express’ services visit their website at: http://www.paydayexpress.co.uk/.

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

Elephant Auto Insurance Welcomes Two New Hires

Richmond, Virginia based Elephant Insurance Services (Elephant), a leading provider of auto insurance announced two important new hires today. John Carpenter has been named Operations Manager, and Greg Minkler has been named Marketing Manager.

Carpenter brings a strong track record in organizational change, operational management, personnel development and external vendor management with Fortune 200 companies. He joins Elephant from his most recent position as Site Director for Insurance Services at Bank of America. Prior to holding that position, Carpenter spent 5 years at Capital One in multiple leadership roles.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of a new organization with a forward thinking approach to providing auto insurance, and am eager to add my experience to such a well run business as it continues to grow and evolve. The operations area at Elephant has a proven ability to provide customers with multiple methods of securing high value auto insurance.”

Minkler joins Elephant from his most recent position at Affinion Loyalty Group as Director of Product Marketing. He brings a history of both B2B and B2C analytical marketing to Elephant. Before joining Elephant, Minkler also held positions with Fair Isaac, as well as Capital One. “I’m excited to help build on the analytical marketing strategy that Elephant is employing in the auto insurance industry. The ability to provide great auto insurance, multiple discounts, and a cheap alternative to high priced policies is dependent on matching the right product and message to the right customer. “

About Elephant
Elephant Insurance Services is a direct-to-consumer (web and phone) auto insurance company.

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Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Statements, Insurance, Insurance Services, Profits

LV=’s Annual Results For 2009 Shows Strong Growth Despite A Difficult Year

The latest figures show that LV= achieved a rise in its underlying profit across the year from £41.9m to £44.2m (2008: £2.3m) and a loss in 2006, with the general insurance business making a profit of £7.0m (2008: loss of £30.1m), meaning it went into profit one year ahead of plan.

LV='s Annual Results For 2009 Shows Strong Growth Despite A Difficult Year

Mike Rogers, LV= Group Chief Executive, said: “Despite another difficult year of continued recession and market turbulence, the turnaround of the LV= business continues according to plan. Our core mission of helping our members and customers to look after what they love has enabled us to do more business with more customers.”

LV= customer satisfaction results for 2009 increased to 96% overall compared with 2008 and the number of customers and members grew by 12% to over 3.8m (2008: 3.4m). LV=’s financial strength demonstrated across the year enabled significant holdings in long term growth assets (around 74% of the fund at the year end), should also benefit members’ returns in the longer term.

Additionally LV= policyholders with a £50 a month 25 year savings endowment with-profits policy maturing on 1 March 2010 were at least 39% better-off than equivalent policyholders with four major proprietary companies. In fact the with-profits fund investment achieved a return of 15.4%, 2% above benchmark.

Mike observed, “Our strong investment performance underpins solid returns for our with-profits policyholders, ahead of most of the market, and we also remain strongly capitalised. In 2010, trading has begun strongly, with sales in the first quarter significantly up on the same period last year.

“A strong growth in underlying profit reflects our efforts in re-shaping the business and improving our organisational fitness. Improved awareness of the LV= brand, thanks to our distinctive marketing campaigns, has helped to support a strong sales performance across our life & pensions and general insurance businesses.”

2009 also provided LV with widespread industry award recognition for product quality across life & pensions, general insurance and asset management. These include a Moneywise ‘Most Trusted’ award for home insurance, several Which? recommendations and Defaqto 5 Star awards, plus a Best Lifetime Mortgage Lender award from What Mortgage?

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Statements, Money

UK Pre-Election Budget – More Political Than Economic?

The 2010 budget has been met with minimal reaction and is very much regarded as a pre-election buffer budget designed not to rock the boat and consequently lose votes. The last budget before the general election has come and gone – a budget, which it must be said, has generally left businesses with more questions than answers.

UK Pre-Election Budget – More Political Than Economic?

The overarching aim seems to be to increase borrowing, provide small businesses the best possible platform to maintain business and reduce anti-social behaviour through alcohol/tobacco tax increases.

Unsurprisingly, the budget – as they tend to be just prior to an election – contained a great deal of political rhetoric and not a great deal of financial detail.

As a result, businesses are left wondering how exactly the government – should it be re-elected – will tackle the UK’s massive deficit. Businesses are left wanting greater clarity on what public sector spending cuts are to come.

A strong indication of stability was required from the budget, so businesses can make decisions without worrying whether the rules are going to change. Businesses would also have been looking for signs of fiscal competitiveness for the UK.

Industry commentator Alex Miller shares his views on how this budget will affect your UK businesses.

For more information on finance recruitment and jobs offered by Reed Specialist Recruitment, please visit their website reedglobal.com.

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Banks, Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Education, Financial Services, Loans, Money

Free Financial Education Podcasts For Military

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April is Financial Literacy Month, but for more than a decade Pioneer Services has celebrated financial education every month, creating more than three dozen articles, two books, and in-office materials designed to help military families take control of their finances. These efforts have been recognized in recent years with four awards from industry and educational groups.

The company’s library of materials just got even better with the addition of the Pioneer Educational Podcast series’ “Financial PEP Talk,” released this Financial Literacy Month in order to give service members yet another way to access financial education. The podcasts, which last just six to 10 minutes, are available on the company’s website at www.PioneerServices.com/podcast, where users can listen or download an MP3 file. By the end of April, there will also be an iTunes feed to which users can subscribe and listen to at their convenience.

“These podcasts give us another way to share the financial knowledge we’ve gained from more than 77 years in the industry,” said Chief Marketing Officer Karen Von Der Bruegge . “Military families can now choose how they want to learn money management: reading an article or book, visiting our offices for one-on-one consultations, and now, listening online or on an MP3 player. Whatever their preference, we have an option.”

The first three episodes cover setting financial goals, developing a spending and savings plan, and the changes consumers will see due to the recently-implemented Credit CARD Act. A new Financial PEP Talk episode will be released regularly, with future topics to include how to prioritize debts, creating an emergency savings account, how to choose a bank, tips for online borrowing, and many more.

To listen to the Financial PEP Talk, visit PioneerServices.com/podcast.

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Banks, Checking & Savings, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Money, Personal Finance

Barclaycard Figures Show Increase In Easter Credit And Debit Card Spending

The latest figures from Barclaycard Global Payment Acceptance, which enables 87,000 retailers to accept debit and credit card payments, shows spending was up 8.5% this year compared to last Easter. The figures which cover businesses traditionally associated with the Easter Weekend and who use Barclaycard to process their credit and debit card transactions, shows shoppers spent £205.5m in 2010 compared to £189.4m over the same weekend in 2009.

Barclaycard Figures Show Increase In Easter Credit And Debit Card Spending

Eating out was a popular choice with restaurants seeing a 13% increase in turnover on debit and credit cards compared to 2009. Other winners over the weekend included furniture and floor covering stores with spending up at 16.5% and 21.6% respectively. However DIY stores, a traditional beneficiary of the Easter weekend saw card spending staying flat with a slight increase of 1.5% on card spend compared to 2009.

Commenting on the data, Stuart Neal, UK Director of Barclaycard Global Payment Acceptance said: “The increase in overall spend is testament to customers wanting to get away or treat themselves over the four day weekend – with a significant increase in restaurants and holiday related activity. Unfortunately, it looks like garden centres were a victim of the weather with debit and credit card spending down 16.8% compared to 2009”.

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Banks, Debts, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Home Equity, Interest Rate, Loans, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance

Are Secured Loans Improving As A Secured Loans Lender Reenters The Market?

Champion Finance, the Glasgow based finance broker, who have been arranging homeowner loans throughout the whole of the UK for twenty six years, now feel that a new glimmer of hope is being witnessed after what has been a very bleak time for the once so buoyant secured loans industry.

During the recession secured loans fell to less than 20% of their position at the start of 2007. Household names such as First Plus ceased trading. By the beginning of 2010 there was less than a handful of secured loan lenders compared to more than twenty before the recession.

Many homeowners who could have benefitted from these products especially for such purposes as debt consolidation could not obtain the homeowner loans they wanted The self employed were especially adversely affected as self certification of income was completely abolished for those requiring a mortgage or a remortgage and two years fully audited accounts are now required by mortgage lenders.

The good news is that Champion Finance can now offer homeowner loans to self employed without accounts, provided that they have been trading for at least six months, can provide three months bank statements and have a maximum LTV of 60% in their property. This is thanks to Link Loans reentering the secured loans sector and offering these loans through respected intermediaries such as Champion Finance who in addition to being in a position to offer a mortgage and a remortgage from the whole of the market also provide debt advice. Link Loans are now strongly funded by RBS and their reappearance must surely indicate the long awaited resurrection of homeowner secured loans.

Via EPR Network
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Lloyds TSB Is Searching For The The Weather Photographer of the Year

A leading panel of award-winning photographers and acclaimed meteorologists launched a major amateur weather photography competition – with a top prize of £10,000.

Lloyds TSB Is Searching For The The Weather Photographer of the Year

The Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year will run for six months, culminating in a public exhibition in London where the finalists’ entries will be on show ahead of the winner being announced in November.

The winner will be chosen by an expert panel featuring acclaimed weather photographers Roger Coulam and Mark Humpage – who will be looking for images that capture our love of the weather, demonstrate originality and creativity, and chart the ever changing British climate.

In addition, the public will also have the opportunity to vote on their favourite pictures online, with £100 going to the most popular photo uploaded each week.

Entrants can upload their photos at http://www.lloydstsb.com/weathercompetition.

The Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year has been organised by the leading insurer, which is proud to sponsor the Channel 4 weather.

Paula Llewellyn, Head of Marketing Services at Lloyds TSB Insurance said: “As a proud sponsor of the Channel 4 weather, we’ve launched the Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year Competition so Brits can show us what they love about the climate, and what ‘British Weather’ means to them.”

Lloyds TSB Home Insurance provides cover for a range of weather related problems such as windstorm and lightning damage.

Via EPR Network
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