Category Archives: Financial

Financial

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

How Underwriters Shape Insurance Quotes

Not many people know that all the factors that go into determining how high or low insurance quotes will be are determined by underwriters. Although they’re aided by a computer program, underwriters must analyze all applications the insurance company they work for and determine whether the applicant will yield high quotes, low quotes, or is just altogether uninsurable.

According to an article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, underwriters are the life force of any insurance company. “Their opinions play an integral role in the success of a company because if an underwriter is too conservative, the company will most likely lose customers to competitors,” states the article, titled ‘Understanding the Significance of Underwriters. “On the other hand, if an underwriter makes too liberal of decisions, the company will have to pay an excessive amount in claims.”

Underwriters don’t do it alone though. They are placed with the huge burden of keeping the insurance company they work for afloat and have the assistance of computer applications to determine how to manage risk more efficiently. With the help of the program, underwriters determine how risky the applicants are and can thus determine how high or low their quotes will be or if they are just too risky to insure.

It is important to know what factors go into determining risk. Whether it is auto, health, home, or life insurance, there are a different set of factors for each type of insurance. “As an individual looking to obtain an insurance policy, it is imperative you familiarize yourself with some of the factors that underwriters use to judge potential policyholders before applying,” the InsuranceAgents.com article states.

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

Barclaycard Has Becomes The First Provider In The UK To Launch A Credit Card Pre-Application Check

The simple, one step, online facility allows potential and existing customers to establish their likelihood of being eligible for a Barclaycard, without the need to complete a full application.

The new service leaves a search ‘footprint’ on the customer’s credit file, to show their information has been accessed, but it isn’t a formal credit application and it will not affect their ability to get credit in the future. The pre-application check takes a couple of minutes and is available on the Barclaycard website.

This unique new service will not impact the applicant’s credit rating. Amer Sajed, chief executive of Barclaycard UK, explained: “Consumers currently need to apply in full for a credit card UK, without knowing whether they are likely to be accepted or not, leaving a search on their credit file which can potentially have a negative impact on their credit rating. This unique pre-application check solves this problem. The check can be completed in a few minutes and gives consumers a good indication of whether their application will be accepted.”

Since its launch, 4000 potential customers have used the pre-application check to determine whether they would be accepted for a Barclaycard, giving them a better idea of whether or not they would be successful in an application for a credit card.

As of August 2009, Barclaycard had 11.9m UK customers and a further 11.8m international customers, with 88,000 retailer/merchant relationships.

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Banks, Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Money, Security

Experian Payments Gateway Achieves Approval Under The Faster Payments Approved Software Scheme, Operated By Bacs

Experian, the global information company, has announced that its payment processing product, Experian Payments Gateway, has achieved approval under the Faster Payments Approved Software Scheme, operated by Bacs. As the first software to receive approval for unattended use with Direct Corporate Access (DCA), it will enable users to fully automate their Faster Payments and participate in the Barclays launch of DCA to Faster Payments in September.

Originally developed to enable payments originators to process Bacs Payments, Experian Payments Gateway has been extended, tested and approved for use with Smartcards and Hardware Security Modules (HSM) in both attended and unattended modes. It supports Faster Payments DCA via Secure-IP, the secure channel for corporates to initiate Faster Payments.

James Hilliard, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Experian Payments, said, “Many of our large customers use automated payments systems to help increase efficiency and reduce their risk and costs. Recognising their need to automate their Faster Payments securely, we have worked closely with the Faster Payments Approved Bacs Software Scheme to ensure they are able to gain maximum benefit from the new Faster Payments Service.”

Gareth Lodge, Regional Research Director, TowerGroup, said, “Automating payments has always been a key priority for corporates as it has multiple benefits, from cost reduction to improved risk management. But in the current economic environment, it probably is even more important than it has ever been, with working capital benefiting in particular. And of course, the deeper that SEPA Payments are integrated into the end-to-end process, the greater the benefits.”

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

Accidental Death Life Insurance

Death is one of the most unpredictable aspects of life so it should be no surprise that the insurance industry have formulated a special kind of life insurance known as accidental death life insurance. According to an article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, accidental death life insurance provides coverage in the event of a sudden accidental death.

The article, titled ‘Accidental Death Life Insurance: Stare Death in the Eyes’ states, “Illnesses, accidents and sudden deaths occur everyday, leaving families with only memories. On top of the mourning, they also have to deal with high death expenses. Accidental death life insurance, however, can take care of that.”

Your typical accidental death life insurance policy should cover accidental/sudden death, illness, and loss of bodily functions such as hearing and sight.

Visit InsuranceAgents.com to compare life insurance rates based on your lifestyle and speak with a life insurance agent about what this specific type of life insurance has to offer you and your loved ones.

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Banks, Checks, Financial, SME

Consumers Who Are Looking For An Alternative To The Traditional Method Of Ordering Checks Are Turning To Carousel Checks For Their Needs

The company offers online checks in a variety of styles. Customers who choose to deal with Carousel Checks can have their order shipped directly to their door by the shipping method of their choice.

Personal Checks are available in a number of styles. The customer can choose checks with images that reflect their work, hobbies or interests. Choices include firefighter and farm themes. Customers can also choose f r o m various sports themes, including bowling, basketball, billiards, football, golf and fishing. Other images available on checks f r o m Carousel represent flowers, different ethnic groups, flowers, food, religious images, and more.

Once a customer has selected the theme they are most interested in, the process for ordering checks is quick and convenient. Rather than having to travel to the bank during regular business hours to place an order, Carousel offers customers a secure server where they can order products f r o m their computer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Carousel keeps information about the correct spacing for banking information in a database. If a customer has questions about whether the company has up-to-date information on their bank’s specifications, they can call 1-888-422-6122 to confirm. If the records aren’t current, the customer can request a form to provide the required information to Carousel Checks.

Customers who order online checks can place their order in varying quantities, ranging f r o m 150 and 960 checks. Each order includes a number of deposit tickets and a transaction register. Carousel Customers can select a typeset and add a monogram to their checks, if desired.

Other products offered by Carousel Checks include address labels. The customer can choose to add coordinating labels to their order when they place the order for their checks. Ink stamps with up to four lines of type are available, along with check book covers.

Customers who choose to order online checks f r o m Carousel have the option of personalizing them with their phone number and/or Driver’s License information if they wish. They also have the option of providing their own image to the company to have custom checks printed.

The company allows customers to submit their own image to have custom checks printed. Before the order is run, the image is examined by a photo professional, who can use their expertise to improve its quality. The image is forwarded to the customer by e-mail for their approval before their order is printed. The custom image can also be used for address labels.

Carousel Checks Inc. is a company that offers custom Checks to individuals and business owners alike. The company’s online checks can be ordered quickly and conveniently. Along with an extensive line of checks, Carousel also offers address labels, check book covers, and other accessories.

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

According To The Prudential’s Equity Release Index, Homeowners In England And Wales Own £654 Billion Property Equity

According to the Prudential’s Equity Release Index, Homeowners in England and Wales aged 65 and over have retained £611billion of equity in their property – with a further £43bn held in Scotland – as the housing market begins to show signs of stabilising following two years of decline.

Prudential’s Equity Release index tracks the amount of equity held in property by people over 65 years old in England and Wales. Figures are based on Prudential’s analysis of data from the ONS Family Spending Report (2006), the Land Registry House Price Index (August 2008) and GfK NOP (2007). Specifically, weighted number of households data is taken from the ONS Family Spending Report 2006. Home ownership data is taken from the NOP data. Average house price per region is taken from the Land Registry Index.

The Index also shows modest gains for homeowners aged over 65 in Wales, the West Midlands, London and the North West.

In Wales, the over-65s saw values rise by £3448, followed by London’s over-65s who gained £3296, while in the West Midlands retired homeowners gained £2789 and the North West saw increases of £818.

Homeowners in Scotland aged 65 and over have retained £43billion of property equity and saw modest gains in the second quarter of 2009, with an average increase in property values of £5235 since March, although the total value of property equity for the over-65s is still more than £3 billion lower than it was a year ago.

The Prudential Equity Release Index shows that, in the second quarter of 2009, Scottish over-65s saw the value of the equity in their homes increase by 3.7%. Over the same period, the equity in homes owned by over-65s in England and Wales remained almost level, decreasing by just 0.03%.

The picture across England and Wales as a whole is one of stabilisation, with property equity for the over-65s falling by less than £43 since February – the lowest fall recorded by the Prudential Equity release Index.

The recent fall of just £43 contrasts sharply with the period between October 2008 and February 2009 when property equity in England and Wales for homeowners aged 65 and above dropped by an average of £21,377.

Property equity can provide a valuable source of retirement funds, especially against a backdrop of low interest rates and equity price falls in the past two years which have hit pensioners’ non pension savings.

About Prudential
“Prudential” is a trading name of The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, which is registered in England and Wales. This name is also used by other companies within the Prudential Group, which between them provide a range of financial products including life assurance, equity release, annuities (including an income drawdown option), pension plan options and investment products like the unit trust and tools, such as the tax calculator. Registered Office at Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH. Registered number 15454.

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Banks, Checks, Financial, SME

Carousel Checks Offers Custom Products to Customers

Carousel Checks, based in Crestwood, IL, offers an extensive line of checks for personal use. Customers who need to order personalized checks can simply visit the web site at a convenient time. They can browse through Carousel Checks’ extensive product line to select the style of online checks that best meet their needs.

The checks are offered in a number of themes. The customer can choose f r o m themes ranging f r o m animals to transportation. Other offerings include sports, roller coasters, music, flowers, and food.

A customer who wants to use personalized Checks with the image of their choice can do so. The company also offers a line of checks that are printed with an image that the customer provides. Carousel also offers custom photo address labels. A four-line pre-inked stamp is another option for customers who want a solution for providing their return address on correspondence but who don’t want to include an image.

The company offers proofs at no charge to its customers who want to use custom images for their checks. They can even use a series of rotating images in their order. Before the order for the checks is run, the customer receives the proofs by e-mail. They know in advance what the image is going to look like on their custom checks.

Business customers can order three to a page accounts payable checks. A company logo can be added to the checks at no extra charge. All of Carousel Checks’ business products are printed on quality paper. Depending on the business owner’s needs, up to three signature lines can be included on the front of the checks. The company also provides double window envelopes for its line of business checks.

Carousel Checks also offers a line of computer checks that are compatible with Quickbooks, Quicken and Microsoft Money. These products are designed to meet or exceed regulations put in place by United States banks. As in the case of accounts payable checks, adding a company logo is free. Double window envelopes for the computer checks are included in the price.

Contact Details: Carousel Checks Inc. offers a complete line of checks that can be used for personal and business purposes. The company can provide its customer with online checks delivered straight to their door. Laser checks and accessories are also part of Carousel Checks’ product line.

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Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Security

Eight Million Chip And PIN Pals At Risk Of ID Fraud

New research from LV= home insurance has revealed that in the past 12 months, more than eight million adults have given their chip and PIN details to someone else to make a purchase on their behalf or get money from a cash machine for them – with a quarter (24%) of these falling victim to fraud. One in three Brits (34%) say they have been asked to pay for goods or take money out on someone else’s behalf.

According to the research, 20% of card holders have given out their card and pin number to someone else. 85% of these have done so in the past year. According to the Office of National Statistics, the resident population of the UK is 52,042,000. Therefore 52,042,000 x 0.20 = 10,408,400 and 10,408,400 x 0.85 = 8,847,140.

Experts warn that by sharing PIN numbers with others, card users are exposing themselves to fraud and seriously weakening the security of the chip and PIN system.

Businesses themselves need to pay closer attention as 98% of people who have used someone else’s card said they were not caught, leaving retailers open to being targeted by fraudsters.

To help assist the growing number of people affected by ID fraud, LV=’s home insurance policy now includes free access to an Identity Fraud Helpline, staffed by specially trained expert advisors who will explain what to do if you think you may have been a victim of identity fraud.

ID fraudsters can quickly clock up many thousands of pounds of purchases by cloning a card and banks may refuse any kind of refund if the card owner has shared their PIN with others.

This is because in the event of ID fraud, card users sharing details may be considered to have acted ‘without reasonable care’ by banks who will then refuse to pay out to cover stolen funds.

The most common location for ‘borrowed’ cards to be used is at a cash machine. For those people passing on their card details for someone to buy something on their behalf almost one in ten (9%) have told someone the details over the phone, 7% have written them down, 6% have given them face to face in a public place and a few have even sent the details to someone in an e-mail or text message.

John O’Roarke, managing director of LV= home insurance, said: “It’s concerning to see the numbers of card-holders who are so lax with their card details, even if they are sharing them with their friends and family. We would strongly urge all card-users not to tell anyone their PIN number. Not only does it undermine the security of your account and increases the risk of ID fraud but also card holders could end up out of pocket if they are found to have shared their card details.

“We’d urge any customers who think they might have become a victim of identity fraud, to call our Identity Fraud Helpline for help and support.”

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

Guide to Home Insurance Deductibles

When choosing a home insurance deductible, many homeowners fall into the trap of wanting to secure the lowest of the low homeowners insurance quotes. This is all good and well but if you make the mistake of making your home insurance deductible too high then you risk financial devastation should you ever have to file a claim.

According to an article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, the key is to achieve a balance between your home insurance deductible and your homeowners insurance rates. The best way to find affordable policies, deductibles, and rates is to go online to compare homeowners insurance quotes.

The article, titled ‘Choosing Your Home Insurance Deductible’ states, “The higher the home insurance deductible, the more affordable your home insurance rates will be. However, the reverse is true as well: the lower your home insurance deductible is, the more expensive your premium will be,” informs the article. “Before assigning a home insurance deductible to your policy, you should first evaluate your budget.”

If you want to learn more about your home insurance deductible then don’t hesitate a second longer. Visit InsuranceAgents.com today to talk with an insurance agent about finding the right balance between your home insurance deductible and premium.

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

Report Says The Recession Will Have A Positive Impact On The Savings Habits Of Today’s Seven Year Olds

The Children’s Mutual’s ‘Turning Seven’ report has revealed that the recession will have a positive impact on the savings habits of today’s seven year olds. According to the leading Child Trust Fund provider, the current recession is developing a younger generation with a more responsible attitude towards money – the likes of which has not been seen since the end of the Second World War.

‘Turning Seven’, which delves into the financial attitudes of seven year olds and their parents, found that two thirds of parents polled insisted that their seven year old children were better informed about finances than they were at the same age. 47% also revealed their seven year olds have already saved up money for something specific, such as a computer game. The report highlights that the current generation of seven year olds will be much more pragmatic about money.

Two thirds of parents feel that their seven year olds now understand that money ‘does not grow on trees’ and are optimistic that the economic hardship currently being experienced is a positive for their children, with a third of parents believing it will make their child more astute and responsible with money. Indeed, 83% of UK parents now insist that their children ‘earn’ their pocket money.

David White, Chief Executive of The Children’s Mutual, said: “We are all acutely aware that the recession has put many people in difficult financial situations, but what is surprising is that there has been a positive impact through prompting reflection and encouraging a change in attitude and behaviour. We know that many families are feeling the squeeze, but encouragingly, our report demonstrates that parents and children are creating a ‘positive austerity’ and are using the downturn as an opportunity to educate their children about the value of money which ultimately could alter savings habits in the UK f r o m the ground up.”

The ‘Turning Seven’ report has been released today to coincide with the oldest members of the Child Trust Fund Generation turning seven, and as a result receiving an additional £250 top up payment f r o m the Government into their CTFs.

Child Trust Funds are designed to provide a tax efficient, long term savings vehicle for all eligible children. Each eligible newborn child (born on or after 1 September 2002) receives a £250 (£500 for low income families) Child Trust Fund voucher f r o m the Government when their parents register for Child Benefit. The Government will make a second contribution of £250 (£500 for low income families) when the child reaches seven and is considering a third in the child’s teenage years. Parents, family and friends can all then add to this account up to a maximum value of £1,200 each year.

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Debts, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Money, Personal Finance

Debt Recovery Specialist Red2Black Collections Limited Is Hoping To Maximise Recovery Rates For Its Prospective Clients By Launching An Innovative New Product To The Market

Debt recovery specialist Red2Black Collections Limited is hoping to maximise recovery rates for its prospective clients by launching an innovative new product to the market.

Red2Black Collections, which offers outsourced collections at every stage of the debt collection life cycle, has launched ‘Loss Prevention Plus’, a one-stop solution designed to make the debt collections process a quicker and easier process for many of its clients.

Nick Cherry, Director and General Manager of Red2Black Collections commented: “All customers will still have access to our full end-to-end service, but our new ‘Loss Prevention Plus’ product has been introduced as an off-the-shelf solution for clients, which combines as one offering the services which we receive the greatest demand for – early and late day collections, asset recovery and litigation.

“This tailored service has already proven to deliver results amongst our existing clients, emphasising how a seamless escalation through each of these important collections functions is a winning formula. In the current economic climate most creditors are facing increased volumes of impairment, increased roll rates and a change in demographic to their arrears portfolio. ‘Loss Prevention Plus’ provides the answer by maximising recovering performance.

“Most importantly, the product can be tailored to dovetail with the creditors’ own collections process to deliver and enhance performance.”

The launch of the new product follows a successful year for Red2Black Collections, who celebrated record growth this year, attracting an average of three new clients per month since its rebrand in early 2008.

The company has also recently become one of the first ever debt collection agencies in the UK to partner with the Samaritans to help train its workforce in becoming the industry’s most effective communicators.

Nick Cherry added: “By offering high quality solutions across the debt collection life cycle, our unique business model allows the client to choose one or all of our services to suit their needs and eliminates the need for them to maintain multiple servicer relationships, by providing one focal point for all client interaction.”

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, Money, SME

Commonwealth Capital Advisors Joins More Than 650 Organizations In The United States To Educate And Inspire The Next Generation Of Entrepreneurs Nov. 16 – 22

This November, young people around the globe will get together to change the world. To celebrate the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery, Commonwealth Capital Advisors is participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week on Nov. 16 – 22, 2009 to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young people.

Commonwealth Capital Advisors, an 11 year old American investment banking advisory firm serving entrepreneurs worldwide, will give away 1 million e-books explaining to aspiring entrepreneurs how to raise enough capital to start a business. It is the only resource available online that shows Entrepreneurs the whole process so they can successfully get the capital they need without wasting time or money where others fail.

Co-founded in 2008 by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in the United States and Make Your Mark, a business-led government-backed campaign in the United Kingdom, Global Entrepreneurship Week will connect young people through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. Students, educators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees, non-profit leaders, government officials and others will participate in a host of activities that include virtual and face-to-face events, large-scale competitions and intimate networking gatherings.

In 2009, the Week is estimated to exceed the 3 million people and 8,800 organizations around the globe that participated in the inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2008. Already, more than 650 organizations in more than 80 countries have signed up.

“Our primary purpose is to increase every entrepreneur’s probability of raising substantial amounts of capital to the highest degree possible at a mere fraction of the traditional cost without giving up any permanent equity or management control.” Timothy D. Hogan, Chairman & CEO, Commonwealth Capital Advisors.

“The world knows that entrepreneurship is the key to economic recovery, and the next generation of innovators holds that key,” said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “Now more than ever, we need to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of our youth by engaging them in the endless possibilities of entrepreneurship.”

Details

You can get started by reading the abridged version of the e-book “The Secrets of Wall Street – Raising Capital for Start-Up and Early Stage Companies” the most comprehensive guide to the world of raising capital. To download your personal copy, visit www.CommonwealthCapital.com and enter promotional code gew.

CCA has become the advocate for the entrepreneur by specializing in assisting start-up and early-stage companies raise seed, development and expansion capital through the issuance of securities. They have taken one of the most complex, arduous and expensive processes and reduced it to a simple, easy and inexpensive system. The amounts can range from $100,000 to $50 million for operating companies and up to $500 million for REITs, Film Production Companies, Oil & Gas projects or other Investment Funds. CCA has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the legal, accounting and investment banking work product, just to license it to its users and to enable them to have a shot at their dream.

About Global Entrepreneurship Week
With the goal to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, Global Entrepreneurship Week will encourage youth to think big, turn their ideas into reality, and make their mark. From Nov. 16-22, 2009, millions of young people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and seek better ways of doing things. Tens of thousands of activities are being planned in dozens of countries. Global Entrepreneurship Week is founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Make Your Mark campaign. For more information, visit www.unleashingideas.org, and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.

Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people’s eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo. and has approximately $2 billion in assets. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org, and follow @kauffmanfdn on Twitter.

Make Your Mark
Make Your Mark is the campaign to give young people in the UK the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising – to have ideas and make them happen. Run by Enterprise Insight, which was founded by the four leading UK business membership organisations – the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors. Their Director-Generals sit on our board, which is chaired by entrepreneur Peter Jones, from BBC’s Dragon’s Den. It is supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and endorsed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

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

UK Workers In State Of Pension Inertia

New research f r o m Prudential shows that nearly a third (30%) of Britain’s 8.8 million active occupational pension scheme members pay no attention to how their retirement savings are invested and 29% – more than 2.5 million scheme members – have never reviewed how their chosen pension fund is performing.

The pension provider’s study also shows that 48% of workers aged 25+ have their money invested in the ‘default’ fund of their company pension scheme.

Pension savers are failing to take an active role in managing their assets to produce the best possible retirement income. Around 29% admit they have never reviewed the progress of their selected pension funds.

Prudential warns that workers who do not regularly review the progress of their pension fund to deliver asset growth, or simply select the default fund offered by their employer without studying any other options available to them or seeking advice, could then risk limiting the value of their pension pot at retirement.

Andy Brown, director of investment funds at Prudential, said: “It’s worrying that so many people who pay into a company pension scheme appear to be in this state of inertia and aren’t taking an active role in the management of their pension savings.

“You routinely check your savings, utilities, insurance cover, mobile phone contract and broadband arrangements to make sure you’re getting the best f r o m them, and checking the performance of your pension should be no different.”

Prudential urges workers who have not reviewed their pension investments, especially during the stock market turbulence of the past two years, to review them now as a priority to ensure they are correctly positioned to take advantage of any market upturn.

Many pension scheme members are doing virtually nothing to ensure their pension funds are invested in the best place to maximise growth and maintain the right balance to protect fund values in the last few years before retirement.

When it comes to paying more money into company pension schemes, Prudential’s research found that 37% of people with a defined contribution pension have either made Additional Voluntary Contributions to their pension fund or increased the amount they pay in.

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Banks, Bonds, Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Statements, Investment, Money, Personal Finance

NS&I Finds The Luckiest Premium Bonds Regions

NS&I has released a list of the luckiest regions for winning Premium Bonds prizes showing that those firstly in the South West, and then in the East Midlands, win more Premium Bonds prizes of £1000 or more, than the rest of the UK. Ranking as third luckiest was Wales, while the North East of England emerged as the least lucky of all the regions.

Sally Swait, Premium Bonds manager at NS&I, commented: “Each month ERNIE randomly generates the winning Premium Bonds numbers from his home in Blackpool, where all eligible Bonds – regardless of their age – have an equal chance of winning.

“The last year has seen the South West region receive the greatest luck in having their numbers come up, though all other regions were not without their own significant wins. As the numbers are generated randomly each month, we may very well see a change in the rankings of the luckiest regions in the UK next year.”

NS&I also discovered that there are currently more than 599,000 unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes across the UK, worth over £35 million.

The good news is that there is no time limit for claiming prizes. Premium Bonds results can be found by using the Premium Bonds draw prize checker or writing in to NS&I.

Premium Bonds are an investment where, instead of interest payments, investors have the chance to win tax-free prizes. They were officially launched by Harold Macmillan, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his 1956 budget.

At the end of June 2009, more than 23 million people had a total of over £40 billion invested in Premium Bonds. There are currently more than one million tax-free prizes from £25 to £1 million being won each month.

Calculations for the luckiest regions data is based on the total value of prizes (£1000 and more) won by counties with at least 100,000 Premium Bond holdings. Information is for the period July 2008 – June 2009.

The current Premium Bonds prize fund rate is 1.0% tax-free. The current odds of each £1 Bond number winning any prize are 36,000 to 1, so with average luck, an investor with £30,000 in Premium Bonds could win 10 tax-free prizes a year.

All Premium Bonds prizes are free of UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax!

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Business, Career, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services

Health Initiatives Gaining Momentum With UK Firms, Report Says

PruHealth, private medical insurer, has revealed as part of its new Workplace Health Report into the impact of health and wellbeing measures and culture in the workplace, that 89% of larger firms in the UK and 33% of SMEs offer health incentives for their employees.

Senior executives (75% of larger firms and 55% of SMEs) believe fostering a healthy lifestyle in the workplace is part of their role as a responsible employer. Furthermore, 83% of employees stated that an employer’s attitudes to health and wellbeing are an important factor when looking for a new role, which means providing a health and wellbeing programme has never been more important to help attract and retain quality.

Firms also believe health initiatives can help increase staff morale, improve productivity and reduce absenteeism as a ‘halo’ effect of a healthier workforce. Additionally benefits of encouraging a healthy culture in the workplace are also evident, with 51% of larger firms and 38% of SMEs experiencing a drop in absenteeism since introducing wellbeing initiatives.

With sickness and absence costing UK plc £20 billion a year larger firms with over 250 employees are actively encouraging a healthier and happier workforce as part of their responsibility as employers. As well as introducing initiatives, 81% of senior management are leading by example and engaging in healthy behaviour in the workplace, like sponsoring employees’ charity fun runs (55%), taking part in exercise classes and sports teams at work (49%) or eating healthily in the office (35%).

With economies of scale proving a barrier for some companies, only 33% of SMEs offer health initiatives to staff. However, 47% of SME senior executives said they are setting a good example through healthy behavior and taking part in exercise classes and sports teams at work.

PruHealth’s Vitality incentive programme enables smaller companies to provide a full ‘blue-chip’ range of healthy activities for employees as part of their corporate private health insurance, enabling companies of all sizes to benefit from a healthier workforce.”

About PruHealth
PruHealth was launched in October 2004 as a joint venture between Prudential and Discovery Holdings from South Africa to provide private health insurance. Since launch, PruHealth has grown quickly. PruHealth medical insurance now covers over 190,000 lives and in a sample of its individual customers, one third said they had changed their behaviour for the better because of its Vitality reward scheme which encourages policyholders to look after their health.

Via EPR Network
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The Cost Of University For This Year’s Recent A-Level Graduates Could Be As High As £25 Billion – Almost £3 Billion More Than Last Year

The Children’s Mutual has reported the cost of university for this year’s recent A-level graduates could be as high as £25 billion – almost £3 billion more than last year. The Children’s Mutual warns that thousands of young adults celebrating their A-Level results and their parents may remain unaware of this rising cost.

The Cost Of University For This Year’s Recent A-Level Graduates Could Be As High As £25 Billion - Almost £3 Billion More Than Last Year

According to the leading Child Trust Fund provider, the average student needs to find about £42,000 to fund three years at university, but this doesn’t take into account the costs of any further training they might want to do after their degree. Currently 87% of young people in the UK are receiving financial help from their parents and help towards university costs is something many students expect and parents expect to give*. Increases in year-on-year university costs also mean this bill will rise in future years.

One way parents of future scholars can help mitigate the rising costs is by saving regularly from when their children are very small. The Child Trust Fund (CTF) was created by the Government to provide every eligible child with a nest egg when they turn 18, with parents, friends and family all encouraged to help save. Launched in 2002, more than 4.4 million children now have a CTF account. Topping up a child’s CTF on a monthly basis could result in a significant lump sum when the child turns 18, perfect for helping with university costs.

David White, Chief Executive of The Children’s Mutual, said: “University can be as much of a millstone as it is a milestone. While parents will be pleased about their children’s successes as they receive their A-level results and many look forward to university, the high costs involved can be a real financial strain to a huge number of students and their parents. For families planning to support their children through university, finding a lump sum to cover the costs can be very difficult. Often, parents are left with no other option but to dip into their savings or remortgage their house. This can have a serious impact on their own financial future.

“From 2020 all 18 year-olds will have access to their maturing Child Trust Funds as they enter adulthood and the money saved in these could make a real difference to both future university students and their parents.”

Via EPR Network
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Gold Recycling Service To Exchange Unwanted Jewellery For Cash

H.Samuel has announced the launch of its new Gold Recycling service. With over 140 years experience selling watches, jewellery and gifts, H.Samuel, is now offering consumers the opportunity to recycle their unwanted white, yellow and rose gold jewellery for cash through a reputable and secure retailer.

Gold Recycling Service To Exchange Unwanted Jewellery For Cash

The popular high street jeweller’s Gold Recycling scheme offers competitive rates for precious gold jewellery from 9 carat up to 22 carat, free postage and free valuations combined with the assurance of security. All jewellery sent to the Gold Recycling service is insured to the value of £500, unpacked in a secure area, valued by trained jewellers and there is no obligation on the customer to accept any offers made.

This means that consumers can send their necklaces, bracelets, chains, pendants, lockets, crosses, crucifixes, etc to H.Samuel, safe in the knowledge that they will be offered competitive prices and receive swift payment or their goods will be returned to them for free.

The service is simple and easy to use. Any customer looking to recycle their gold simply has to visit the website and then follow four easy steps.

Customers simply fill in their details and a Gold Recycling pack will be sent to them for free. Customers who don’t have an internet connection can call the Gold Recycling helpline on 0845 609 2000 to request a pack.

When a customer receives their Gold Recycling Pack, they just have to complete the enclosed form and place the gold into the protective packaging provided. The items are then posted using the prepaid special delivery envelope. Postage is free and the package is insured for up to £500.

H.Samuel will then contact the customer with a valuation by phone or email. The customer can then either accept or reject the offer. If the customer accepts the valuation, a cheque will be sent to them within a few days.

H.Samuel will buy gold in any condition, even if it is tangled, broken or has missing stones. This even applies to rings (not stone-set), earrings (singles or pairs), loose earring backs and body jewellery, cufflinks, tie pins etc, hallmarked and un-hallmarked gold, and gold which has been purchased abroad. There is no need for customers to clean or sort items before sending.

Gold Recycling at H.Samuel is perfect for consumers who want to exchange gold for cash with a trustworthy and secure service.

The new H Samuel Gold Recycling service is unfortunately unable to accept: gold plated jewellery, platinum, silver, stone set jewellery (eg. diamond rings), coins, bars, ingots, sovereigns and kruggerands, watches, new items or items that appear new (eg, price tagged) or dental gold.

Via EPR Network
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MidCountry Bank Supports 2009 Effort To Save Eternal Flame At National WWI Museum

With the possibility that the National World War I Museum’s eternal flame could be extinguished due to government budget cuts, MidCountry Bank, through its military banking division, Pioneer Services, has stepped up for the second year in a row with a sizeable financial contribution to keep the flame burning atop the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo.

MidCountry Bank Supports 2009 Effort To Save Eternal Flame At National WWI Museum

“The eternal flame remains a symbol of our gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tom Holcom, president of Pioneer Services. “Since we work exclusively with the military community, we could not just sit back and let the flame be extinguished, especially after our organization’s successful efforts to save the flame last year,” said Holcom. “The WWI Museum is the only museum in America that preserves the legacy of those who served in the Great War and MidCountry Bank and Pioneer Services are committed to doing whatever we can to help ensure that legacy is honored.”

In 2008, budget cuts threatened to extinguish the eternal flame except on special holidays. At the time, MidCountry Bank and Pioneer Services initiated the “Save the Flame” campaign, an international awareness and fundraising effort that successfully raised more than $68,000 in just four weeks. The two organizations donated an initial $5,000 to keep the flame lit during the fundraising campaign from Memorial Day to July 4, 2008, contributing a total of $22,500 in matching funds to the widely-publicized campaign. The efforts were profiled in USA Today, Stars and Stripes, and through extensive broadcast coverage.

Since its dedication in 1926, the memorial has been a Kansas City and national monument, looking over the downtown skyline. The National World War I Museum, which opened in 2006, was built beneath the existing Liberty Memorial. It is designated by Congress as the nation’s official WWI Museum .

MidCountry Bank’s military banking division recently committed $5,000 to keep the WWI eternal flame burning through 2010. The companies continue to manage the campaign’s fundraising and awareness Web site, www.SaveTheFlame.org, promoting the need for continued assistance and to facilitate donations.

MidCountry Financial Corp. is a financial services holding company with subsidiaries that deliver high-quality and diversified financial services to targeted markets.

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