Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Stocks, Trading

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

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

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

Managing Debt with the Intelligent Lending Optimizer

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

Managing Investments with the Intelligent Investing Optimizer

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

Managing Risk with the Risk Analyzer

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

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Stocks, Trading

Baker-Boyd Introduces High-Yield Cash Investment Account

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

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

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

Optimizing Cash Holdings

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

Value Proposition Evolution

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

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

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Stocks, Trading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Stocks, Trading

Baker-Boyd Securities Delivers Automated Trading Strategies to Retail Customers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Accounting, Business, Financial, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, SME

Red Wing Software Offers Accounting Software Data Transfer for New Customers

Red Wing Software, Inc. has announced the offering of data transfer service to its new customers from non-Red Wing software accounting software applications.

Customers who are new to Red Wing Software can rest easy, knowing the Red Wing Software support team will help them through the process of bringing in their master record files from their prior system into Red Wing Software’s CenterPoint Accounting Software application. This also includes vertical applications CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture, Nonprofits, and Municipals, and CenterPoint Payroll Software. The cost of data transfer service varies and is done at $125 per hour.

Red Wing Software’s current customers have always enjoyed the benefits of the support offered by Red Wing Software for transferring data between the company’s programs, and will continue to receive the option for this service.

For more information about Red Wing Software data transfer services or accounting software products, visit www.redwingsoftware.com, contact Red Wing Software at 800-732-9464 or e-mail info@redwingsoftware.com.

Red Wing Software, Inc., along with its nationwide network of business partners, offers industry-leading service, as well as training, on-site installation and implementation of the software. Their vision is to create the best management software experience through personal support and attention to customers’ business goals.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Financial, Financial Services, Insurance, Investment

ActiveQuote Launch New Life Insurance Comparison Service

ActiveQuote is delighted to announce the launch of its new life insurance comparison service, allowing users to compare life insurance quotes online from 11 leading UK insurers.

Since 2009, www.activequote.com has remained the leading health insurance comparison website in the UK, comparing more products than anyone else and offering the user greater control over tailoring their policy.

In April of this year ActiveQuote followed this up by successfully unveiling its income protection comparison service, giving customers the opportunity to compare short term and long term income protection products side by side for the first time.

Now, ActiveQuote has expanded its range to include a third product by launching its life insurance comparison tool. The new life insurance comparison system includes all the unique features customers have come to expect from ActiveQuote: online quotes that can be tailored to fit their budget and requirements, choice of leading UK insurers and the ability to buy their chosen policy online.

After the customer specifies the level of life insurance required, ActiveQuote search the leading UK life insurers including Legal & General, Aviva and Friends Life to find the best life insurance and critical illness quotes to suit their needs and budget.

The life insurance quotes can then be tailored online, with the customer able to amend the amount of cover, policy term and critical illness amount with instant updates to the price. After viewing the full details of each plan, unsuitable quotes can be removed at the click of a button and the selected policy purchased online.

Managing Director Dr Richard Theo said: “ActiveQuote has led the movement into online comparison for medical insurance and income protection. We are now delighted to add life insurance to our online portfolio.”

ActiveQuote’s life insurance comparison service is released at a timely moment, as many people will be reviewing or investing in a policy before the imminent EU Gender Directive. On 21st December insurers will no longer be allowed to base premiums on gender, so experts are predicting a 20% rise in life insurance premiums for women and a small increase for men.

Dr Theo said: “Now is the final chance for many customers to take advantage of the current life insurance rates, so people who are considering taking out cover or changing to a new insurer should compare life insurance as soon as possible.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Financial, Financial Education, Financial Information, Forex, Stocks, Trading

Former Professional Footballer Turned Trading Coach Launches New Forex Trading Video

Lee Sandford is an ex-professional UK footballer having played for teams such as Portsmouth, Stoke City and Sheffield United. These days, he generates his income through successful forex trading and teaching others how to emulate his trading triumph through the Trading College. The Trading College has released a new video where Lee shares his Traders Success Model.

Lee Sandford believes that if he can earn his living through forex trading, anyone can, “If a beginner trader can recognise and learn the market patterns that repeat themselves and put on the trade, they really can create additional monthly income for themselves with little effort. It’s all about becoming the master of your tools.”

Lee is the founder of Trading College, having 17 years of forex trading experience under his belt. “I was getting calls from my friends asking me to teach them how to trade or to watch me trade. Then it became friends of friends, and it really grew from there until there was such a high demand that I put on a group course.” explains Lee, “Now we hold regular group courses and our aim is to be the best company in the UK market place for customer service, quality and price.”

When Lee left the world of professional football and threw himself into mastering the trading markets, he quickly found that there were hardly any in depth and high quality courses available. “I ended up going to the Chicago Board of Trade and participated in the grains trading pit. It was an experience!” says Lee. Once the Traders College had been established, Lee was keen to avoid becoming just another insufficient trading course as he’d experience before. “The Trading College’s mission is to constantly monitor and improve our services. Our customers are at the heart of our business so we want to create a dynamic and reward experience for all of our students.”

All courses run by the Trading College are taught by professional and experienced traders, including Lee, “As we make our living through trading, myself and the other trading coaches know the real day-to-day challenges that our students will face. That’s why we’re the best people to teach them about every eventuality.” Trading College is open to traders of all levels, even if they’ve just started out. They teach via group courses, support webinars and offer IT support to all of their members.

“With my forex trading strategies, students can really earn some great extra income, or even become a full time trader. One of my clients earned over £100,000 in one year using the tactics I’d taught her.” says Lee.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Insurance

Confused.com reveals car insurance prices plummeted by 13.6% for drivers under 20

Confused.com has revealed car insurance has plummeted by £360 (13.6%) for drivers aged 17-20, but 2013 could see dramatic price rises after this December’s EU gender ruling. Experts have warned 17-20 year old drivers to take advantage of the current preferential rates and advised young drivers to avoid 2013’s predicted price hikes by shopping around.

Average comprehensive car insurance prices now stand at £757 as of Q3 2012, compared to £843 for Q3 of last year, a significant year-on-year fall of £87 (10.3%).

However, Confused.com’s experts predict this reduction could be short-lived and that the Treasury’s forecasts of 24% rises for young female drivers in the age group 17- 25 may come true for motorists in 2013, catching those who fail to shop around. This predicted insurance price rise could affect female drivers throughout various age groups, according to this Treasury data. 26-30 year old females are forecast an 18% price hike once the gender directive takes effect. 31-35 year old female drivers are expected to suffer a 10% price rise.

Smaller price rises are expected for women aged 36-40 who are predicted to experience a 3% rise, and 41-45 year female drivers are only expected to receive a 1% price rise for their future car insurance policies.

The latest Towers Watson/Confused car insurance price index shows a very different picture to those future predictions. 17-20 year-old women have fared best during Q3 of 2012, with a whopping 17.3% annual decrease in prices. For men it was the 36-40 year olds who experienced the most significant drop, with a 10.7% reduction in annual costs.

For Third Party Fire and Theft cover only, average premiums for Q3 stood at £1,131, showing minor reductions year-on-year of 2.1% and 1.5% quarter-on-quarter.

Quarter 3 of 2012 saw car insurance prices fall for all age groups, particularly young female drivers, but predictions from the Treasury indicate that young female drivers could see rises of up to 24% after the EU gender ruling becomes law on 21 December 2012. After this date women and men cannot be priced differently for insurance meaning women will no longer directly benefit from being statistically less risky drivers as far as insurers are concerned.

Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com said: “We would recommend that young drivers take advantage of these latest price drops if they are able to renew now, but we anticipate that steep price hikes loom with the advent of the EU gender ruling, which means shopping around has never been so key.”

Regionally the biggest annual price falls have been in the Manchester/Merseyside area (prices fell by 12.5%), closely followed by the North East (a drop of 12.4%). By postcode area, Kirkwall saw the biggest price drop in the UK as prices fell by 15.6% and this was closely followed by Darlington, where car insurance prices dropped by 14.6%

Women on average saw their premiums shrink by 11.7% over all in Q3. For spouses of either gender the average premium cost for a joint insurance policy is a lot less than average costs for solo drivers: male drivers insured plus spouse are quoted on average £432, compared to £907 as insured only driver, for women it costs an average of £787 for insured only driver cover, but just £418 for women who have a spouse on their policy.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Home Equity, Loans, Money

EquityRelease.net Publishes New Beginners Guide Factsheet For Equity Release Mortgages

The equity release resource website EquityRelease.net is pleased to announce that they have added The Essential Equity Release Factsheet to the website to provide UK residents with a concise and easy-to-read introduction to equity release schemes in the UK. EquityRelease.net is an independent equity release information resource website that provides a detailed information resource of equity release as well as free equity release advice and quotes.

Many older UK residents look forward to retirement as a time when they can engage in hobbies and activities that were not possible when they worked. Unfortunately, there is growing concern over whether people’s pension and retirement savings are enough to maintain their standard of living and spend their time as they please. As many retiring homeowners look into equity release as a means to provide the income they desire in retirement, the information website EquityRelease.net hopes to answer their basic questions with the addition of “The Essential Equity Release Factsheet” to the website.

“Our goal as always is to help older UK residents understand how equity release in their homes actually works, and the new infographic reduces our voluminous information contained on the website to its most basic terms, primarily using graphics to explain how equity release works,” said an EquityRelease.net representative.

As an introduction to equity release, the fact sheet begins by explaining the basic nature of home equity release. The equity of a home is the current value on the open market minus the debts held against it. Equity release allows the homeowner to obtain cash for this value without having to move out of their home. Equity release is for individuals over the age 55 who own property valued at around £70,000 or more, and most schemes also stipulate a minimum and maximum amount that can be released.

A common question answered by the fact sheet is who can take advantage of equity release. The new infographic shows the general profile of people that routinely take advantage of equity release as well as the eligibility requirements that they must meet to qualify. Many people have a fear of losing their home with equity release schemes so the fact sheet explains the limited risk of losing a home and how it can be avoided.

When it comes to the basics of releasing equity, readers will learn about its two forms, which include lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans, which are both approved and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). While the Essential Fact Sheet infographic is meant to be an introduction to equity release, readers can find far more detailed information on the website about all aspects of equity release. Website visitors can also take advantage of free advice and a quote provided by one of their specialists. For more information, please visit http://www.equityrelease.net/

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Insurance, Insurance Services, Investment, Personal Finance, Retirement

Confused.com Reveals That 1 in 3 ‘Worth More Dead Than Alive’

1 in 3 people in the UK (34%) say they are ‘worth more dead than alive’ according to new research by Confused.com, but 40% of people in the new study say that they have dependents who could not pay the bills if they died, and nearly 60% do not have life insurance.

A new, short zombie film made by Confused.com hammers home the message that once people are gone, it’s too late to think about life insurance, which is sad for the poor zombie who is patiently waiting at home for a financial adviser.

However, nearly 60% of the UK (59%) told Confused.com that they do not have a life insurance policy, despite the fact that 64% do have a mortgage which they have not yet paid off.

Insurers in the UK pay out £37 million every day to help dependents cope with the death of loved ones, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) but despite this, more than 1 in 10 people surveyed (11%) admitted that their loved ones would be without a home if they died. This strongly suggests that many may not protect their families through life insurance or savings.

30% of couples have a joint mortgage, while 57% have a joint bank account. This could mean they’d have to take on joint debt on their own if their partner died without life insurance.

Matt Lloyd, Head of Life Insurance at Confused.com explained: “A debt such as a mortgage should ideally be backed up with life insurance so that it can be paid off in part or in full if one of the mortgage holders should die. The loss of a loved one is a stressful time without having to worry about not being able to afford the mortgage bills.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

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

Barclaycard research reveals just how much the British are embracing the trend of self-gifting

New research* has revealed the British public are taking it upon themselves to get the things they really want by self-gifting.

Research commissioned by Barclaycard shows that over half of us (58%) believe it’s the thought that counts when receiving a gift but one in six (16%) would rather have chosen the gift themselves. Almost half of Brits (43%) have indulged in self-gifting around Christmas or birthdays at one time or another while one in ten (10%) say they always do.

The most popular reason for the new trend is simply people wanting to ‘treat themselves’ (44%) as it seems family and friends aren’t as good at present buying as many would like with almost a quarter (23%) admitting they indulge in self-gifting because ‘it’s the most sensible way to get what they want’. Even more surprising is that this rise in self-gifting comes at a time when almost a quarter of families (23%) are planning to reduce the amount they spend on gifts this year due to tighter economic conditions.

The top 5 most popular self-gifted gifts in order are: clothing and footwear; TVs and music equipment (including iPods, iPads, laptops); alcohol and tobacco; recreation and culture, and restaurants and hotels

When asked how they are able to afford their treats a large proportion said they are embracing cashback, points and mileage schemes (36%). Women are much more likely to use loyalty programmes to treat themselves (30%) compared to men (17%), which makes sense since the research showed that almost a quarter of women see indulging in self-gifting as a guilty pleasure, compared to just 13% of men.

Nick Clements, Managing Director at Barclaycard UK explained: “We took time to speak to our customers to understand how they want to be rewarded when they spend. Choice and value came out as the key to meet people’s needs.

“We know that purse strings are being tightened and we also know that people like to treat themselves and their families. The new Barclaycard Cashback card helps you do just that. The only thing we can’t help out with is what your loved ones want to receive this festive season.

“Our Cashback card is built on choice and simplicity, giving customers 2% on their five biggest monthly purchases and 0.5% on everything else. Our Cashback card puts you in control of what you get the 2% boost on each month; unlike other cards that only give you a bonus for certain types of spend. All customers need to do is make fifteen purchases a month, of any amount to qualify for the 2% cashback rate.”

For more information on the Cashback card; visit: www.barclaycard.co.uk/cashback

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Security

Experian’s Global Fraud Prevention Services Strengthened By One Billion Iovation Device Checks

Experian has announced an international partnership with iovation, the Device Reputation Authority, to further enhance Experian’s global fraud prevention capabilities. Iovation’s advanced device recognition software, dynamic referencing and device reputation checks will increase the reach and effectiveness of Experian’s identity verification and fraud prevention services.

iovation brings together the world’s largest repository of mobile and online devices. It identifies one billion mobile devices globally and currently conducts nine billion device reputation checks a year. It enables clients to assess the likelihood of transactions being fraudulent based on the device from which an application is made. Its sophisticated real-time risk assessment analytics stops some 150,000 potential online fraud attempts each day.

Results from searches against iovation’s device library can now be used to in conjunction with Experian’s fraud and identity capabilities including its ID verification tool, Prove-ID,card fraud prevention engine, Risk-ID, and account opening fraud prevention service Hunter.

Nick Mothershaw, Director of Identity & Fraud, Experian said: “Fraud continues to represent a clear and present danger to the bottom lines of banks, insurers, financial services, lenders and ecommerce merchants. With the rise of mobile commerce, the question of device reputation is becoming increasingly important. Our agreement with iovation will provide Experian’s clients with a new layer of defence against fraudsters and deliver a more comprehensive risk assessment and scoring of each transaction to identify and welcome legitimate customers.”

“Collaborating with Experian means we can help our joint clients avoid fraud losses by stopping cybercriminals before they damage their business or customers. Combining iovation’s power of device reputation with Experian’s extensive identity-based services is game-changing,” said Jon Karl‚ co-founder and Vice President of Corporate Development at iovation.

“iovation is committed to identifying suspicious activity, exposing the size and scope of problems, and helping our customers know whom to trust online.”

Working in tandem with Experian’s range of identity verification and fraud prevention tools, iovation’s ReputationManager 360 analyses the past and current behaviour of more than one billion devices to identify and re-recognize devices logging into an organisation’s website in real time. This unique approach spots relationships between different accounts with multiple vendors and identifies all of the devices associated with an individual without needing personally identifiable data. Doing so helps businesses prevent fraudulent transactions before they happen and identifies potential fraud rings or recurring fraud activities, while protecting the privacy of consumers.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Banks, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Insurance, Insurance Services, Loans, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance

Confused.com reveals that men named Brian have the best credit profile in the UK

Confused.com has revealed men named Brian have on average the best credit profile in the UK, while for ladies it is Helen.

In contrast, the first name with the poorest average credit profile is Lisa, while the male equivalent is Daniel.

Confused.com, the comparison site, analysed data from thousands of its customers who have used its free Credit Card Matcher Tool this year to reveal the names with the best and worst credit profiles in the UK. Confused.com is urging consumers to think about their credit history before they apply for a credit card, as a rejected application can negatively affect your credit score.

When it comes to surnames, people with the last name of Edwards have on average the best credit profile in the UK. Meanwhile, the surname with the lowest average credit profile is Thompson.

As well as a credit name lottery of sorts, the research reveals the existence of a postcode lottery when it comes to good and bad credit. The UK postcode with the highest average credit profile among its residents is SL4 in Slough. Meanwhile, SA1 in Swansea – the postcode with the poorest average credit profile – has a score 10% below the national average.

The research shows that age also makes a difference when it comes to credit scores as on average people’s credit history improves as they get older. Average scores for people aged 65 and over are 8% higher than the national average, according to the research. Meanwhile, the age bracket with the worst average credit profile is 18 to 24 – 4% lower than the national average.

Nerys Lewis, head of credit cards at Confused.com, said: “While our research shows the names with the best and worst credit profiles in the UK, people’s names are obviously not a rating factor when looking at credit. So if you’re called Brian you won’t automatically be gifted with a great profile, or penalised because your name is Lisa.

“We would encourage people to think about their credit history as a good or bad score can have a number of implications, such as your likelihood of acceptance for credit cards and also loans and mortgages.

“There are certain things you can do to improve your situation if your credit history is non-existent, or not quite up to scratch. For example, a credit building card may be one option. By using a credit building card sensibly, you demonstrate to lenders, such as banks, that you can borrow and pay back money responsibly. This in turn helps to build up your credit history.”

Confused.com’s Credit Card Matcher Tool allows people to check their likelihood of acceptance for a credit card before they apply.

Lewis added: “By using our free Credit Card Matcher Tool, people can potentially avoid a negative credit card application. If you apply and are not accepted then a lot of people aren’t aware that this can harm your credit score.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Banks, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Insurance, Insurance Services, Loans, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance

Confused.com reveals the benefits and dangers of Baby on Board signs

Confused.com has teamed up with Brake, the road safety charity, to highlight the benefits and dangers of ”Baby on Board’ signs and remind parents about safety for younger passengers.

37% of parents (almost 2 in 5) have displayed a ‘Baby on Board’ sign either currently or in the past. Now it’s time to find out if they are a help or a hazard. Confused.com’s new research among 2,000 drivers (50% of whom have children under 16) found that 80% of the parents who use baby on board signs think they improve safety, while 46% of drivers said that ‘Baby on Board’ signs obscure vision when driving.

Confused.com’s research discovered that clutter is a concern among many drivers, and having too many novelty items displayed could be a safety issue. 51% of all those questioned said they think other drivers display too much clutter in their car windows, such as stickers and novelty items. 15% of drivers who do exhibit these signs admit they do so simply because they are a cute/novelty item while 4% only display one because they received it as a gift.

Brake’s experts have confirmed that window clutter can be an issue on the road, but acknowledge that baby on board signs can also have a safety benefit.

Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive at Brake, said: “Baby on board signs can be incredibly helpful for emergency services at the scene of a crash in knowing whether there’s a child involved, but this help can become a hindrance if drivers display signs when their child isn’t in the vehicle. Worse still is the danger that can be posed by drivers obscuring their view by cluttering up windows with lots of signs. Drivers’ priority should always be getting there safely, without putting themselves, young passengers or other road users a risk. That includes ensuring your view isn’t obscured and you remain fully focused on the road.”

The research also found that drivers who have never displayed a ‘Baby on Board’ sticker or do not drive children around are more likely to think the signs are tacky (34%) or dangerous as they obscure vision (18%).

Meanwhile, 46% of people who drive kids around say they have driven with a ‘Baby on Board’ sign and 22% of these say they always display the sign.

Confused.com’s survey also reveals that 14% of parents with under-16s think ‘Baby on Board’ signs are uncool/not trendy and 33% of drivers think the signs are ‘tacky’. Interestingly, it’s women who are most likely to disapprove of the signs, with 35% of women questioned saying the signs are ‘tacky’ while only 31% of male drivers felt the same.

The research also found that a quarter of parents aged 18-24 (who have young children) always display a ‘Baby on Board’ sign when they drive. This age group is also most likely to display novelty stickers in their car window, compared to drivers of other ages. 18-24 year-old drivers are least likely to say that other drivers display too much clutter in their car windows.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Business, Financial, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Mobile banking, Money, Online Banking, Security

Experian helps Hammersmith & Fulham save £3,000 a day in the fight against social housing tenancy fraud

Experian has assisted The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in recovering almost £3,000-a-day for the public purse with an ongoing and highly successful programme to prevent social housing tenancy fraud in its 12,000 social homes.

The local authority is working with Experian to deploy the latest fraud detection techniques in a programme that has significantly reduced the level of social housing tenancy fraud in Hammersmith & Fulham. Experian’s analysis, combined with the in-depth local knowledge and expertise of its fraud investigators, has yielded savings of more than £650,000 in the first seven months, with more savings expected to follow.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “These stunning results prove our zero tolerance towards fraud is working. Every fraudster profiting from the most vulnerable members of society by unlawfully sub-letting social homes should know they now run a very high risk of being caught.

“Every home that is sub-let is a property taken away from a person or family in need.

“Experian is working with Hammersmith & Fulham to enable the investigation team to review and follow up suspected fraud cases. Within the first seven months, around 300 high-risk properties were investigated resulting in savings of £654,000 to the public purse – the equivalent of nearly £3,000–a-day. In many cases keys were very quickly surrendered following an e-mail, phone call or visit from the local authority.

“Our data-matching work with Experian, underpinned by our cost-effective internal analysisis expected to save £1 million in the first 12 months of the exercise.”

At present, current fraud estimates are based on collective samples of individual housing providers and suggest Social Housing Fraud is a significant problem in the UK with evidence of fraud in at least 6 per cent of social homes. But the true figure is almost certainly higher as this estimate does not include fraudsters that have obtained multiple tenancies in more than one local authority or housing association. A true estimate of the scale of the problem will require combined data sharing and matching between all social housing providers. Indeed, the problem of social housing fraud cannot be effectively addressed or solved without effective coordination between providers.

Experian is already working with over 30 social housing providers to help prevent social housing tenancy fraud. Our most recent fraud analysis in January 2012 covers a quarter of a million tenancy records representing a broad spread of urban and rural social housing providers. Work to date has detected potential fraud in over 6 per cent of tenancies nationally, one in sixteen social homes. However, in some areas the level of detected fraud is significantly higher, particularly in premium locations such as London, where some local authorities there are suffering rates as high as nine or ten per cent.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

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

PaydayLoans@ Company Provides Faster Application Procedure

Money has always been an issue for some category of people. It has always been hard to earn money and to save it. Even now after several hundreds of years later the situation is basically the same. Nothing has changed. Even now people have the same financial problems when they lack money and are not able to find a way-out. A sudden urgency may occur when the person does not obtain a required sum and he/she does not know where to find the required funds.

Still, a perfect way-out has been found out. Taking into consideration all the financial and life obstacles in the modern society it is quite difficult to stay on top of the financial life. That is why the companies that have deal with small loans, have thought over every possible point to make the procedure even easier that it used to be.

PaydayLoans@ belongs to the privileged group of the companies with a friendly and highly professional staff. It suggests its customers the most convenient way to receive the payday loan online in a hassle-free and fast way. There is no need to gather all the personal and financial documentation into one file and drive it or send to the bank. The only thing is required is an Internet connection.

To order a loan till payday at PaydayLoans@ company is the most simplified way to do this. The usual procedure is about fulfilling a simple online application form, submitting it, waiting for a reply from a lender by phone or via e-mail, receiving money in 24 hours. Money will be automatically sent and withdrawn from the customer’s personal bank account.

Instead of roaming all over the city looking for the appropriate bank which will agree to give a small loan, it is so much easier to find a site of PaydayLoans@ company and fulfill an easy application form online. The entire process takes approximately ten-fifteen minutes of time and is simplified as much as possible. For more information read this article regarding the service offered on the website.

A lot of people were hesitating at first while applying for the payday loans, but later on they had realized that those loans were the most convenient way-out of the tough financial issue that might occur to anyone.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Assets, Financial, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Personal Finance

NRMA Insurance To Offer Life Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Business, Financial, Financial Services, Investment, Money, Trading

Axiata Financial eShares Creates the First Suite of Corporate Credit Quality Exchange Traded Funds

Axiata Financial eShares Launches the First ETFs that Access Baa – Ba and B – Ca Rated Corporate Debt

Axiata Financial announced that its Axiata Financial eShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, one of the world’s largest manager of ETFs, has launched the first suite of corporate credit quality ETFs. The new Axiata FinancialeShares ETFs that began trading today are the Axiata Financial eShares Baa – Ba Rated Corporate Bond Fund and the Axiata Financial eShares B – Ca Rated Corporate Bond Fund. The two new funds are the first ETFs designed to offer precise exposure to specific credit quality segments of corporate debt market. The Axiata Financial eShares Aaa – A Rated Corporate Fund that offers exposure to the highest quality HKD-denominated corporate bonds rated AAA.

“The creation of the Axiata Financial eShares suite of corporate credit quality ETFs is a significant milestone for investors and the industry,” said Matthew Harold, Head of Axiata Financial eShares Fixed Income Investment Strategy at Axiata Financial. “Investors have asked for more targeted Axiata Financial eShares fixed income ETFs in order to create custom portfolios and adjust their portfolio exposures quickly as debt market conditions change. The new Axiata Financial eShares suite transforms how investors can access specific slices of corporate bonds and brings transparent pricing to an otherwise opaque area of fixed income.”

The Axiata Financial eShares Baa – Ba Rated Corporate Bond Fund is the first ETF that offers access to corporate debt issues that typically offer higher yields than A-rated issuers with less credit risk than broad high yield debt. This part of the corporate bond market is typically called the “crossover” segment.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Business, Financial, Financial Services, Investment, Money, Trading

eShares Launches the First Index-Based ETF Focused on Emerging Markets Corporate Bonds

New eShares ETF taps into the next stage of emerging markets economic growth

Axiata Financial announced that its eShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, one of the world’s largest manager of ETFs, has launched a new fund focused on corporate bonds in emerging market countries. The eShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund offers broad access to dollar-denominated, investment grade and high yield bonds issued by corporations based in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The eShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund is the first index-based ETF to offer targeted exposure to emerging markets corporate debt. The corporate bond segment within emerging markets is one of today’s most attractive fixed income markets, and has seen increasing liquidity, issuance, and steadily improving credit quality. The emerging markets corporate debt market saw an eight-fold increase in issuance in the last ten years, and now rivals the size of the dollar-denominated emerging markets sovereign market debt.

“Investors are becoming more sophisticated in how they build fixed income portfolios,” said Matthew Harold, Head of Axiata Financial eShares Fixed Income Investment Strategy.

“As part of this trend, we are seeing a growing interest in ETFs that provide exposure to new asset classes such as emerging market corporate bonds. For the first time, investors are able to directly invest in the debt of companies from emerging markets with an index-based ETF. Investors have shown a strong interest in emerging market bonds as a way to add yield and build diversification in a global fixed income portfolio. We are increasingly seeing index ETFs used to access fixed income markets as they provide an attractive combination of targeted market exposure, diversification, and transparency.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases