Latest News
How might the major asset classes unfold in 2023? Highlights of IFA Magazine’s insightful webinar with Brooks Macdonald
As we all know, 2022 was a particularly turbulent year for all investors – but it was especially so for those operating multi-asset strategies. Inflation plus challenging economic conditions led not only to a sell-off in both equities and bonds but also to a dent in...
Saltus latest research shows confidence plummets in the UK economy among wealthy Brits
High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) are more concerned about the future of the UK economy than their own finances, online security or physical safety, according to the third Saltus Wealth Index report. Saltus and Censuswide surveyed more than 1,000 people in the UK...
Practical Implications of the New Regime
Written by Niall O’Sullivan, CIO of multi-asset strategies EMEA at Neuberger Berman You’ve pinned down your economic and market outlook, but what does it imply for your investment strategy—and how much of that is realistic? One can think about the portfolio...
Half of IFAs (50%) think their clients will be worse off this year
With the Bank of England poised to raise interest rates for the tenth time in a row and to their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis later this week, Opinium’s latest poll reveals that half of financial advisers (50%) think their clients will be worse off...
Business & Development
Half of IFAs (50%) think their clients will be worse off this year
With the Bank of England poised to raise interest rates for the tenth time in a row and to their highest level since the 2008 financial...
Cathy Pitt and Stephanie Coxon elected to AIC Board
The membership of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has elected Cathy Pitt and Stephanie Coxon to the board of the AIC. In...
Wesleyan Foundation unlocks £100,000 for charities
The Wesleyan Foundation plans to donate more than £100,000 to hardworking charities as part of its Winter of Giving fund. The fund is...
PIMFA appoint Andrew Shepherd and Helen O’Neill to its Board of Directors
PIMFA appoint Brooks Macdonald chief executive, Andrew Shepherd and Tatton Investment Management, chief operating officer, Helen O’Neill...
Alpha: Trust and Personal Relationships Most Valued Adviser Asset, Survey Finds
Trust and the strength of personal relationships are the most valued assets financial advisers have, to help clients navigate and manage...
Economy
What to expect ahead of the BoE/ECB rate decisions?
The Bank of England is on the horns of a dilemma as the UK economy continues to struggle with double digit inflation, although it may not...
Saltus latest research shows confidence plummets in the UK economy among wealthy Brits
High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) are more concerned about the future of the UK economy than their own finances, online security or...
Insolvency Service: Q4 2022 company insolvencies 30% higher than Q4 2021 – reaction from business finance experts
Following the Q4 2022 company insolvency data published this morning, which showed company insolvencies were 30% higher than in Q4 2021,...
Canada Life Asset Management – Predictions ahead of BOE interest rate decision
Steve Matthews, Liquidity Fund Manager, Canada Life Asset Management, shares his thoughts ahead of the Bank of England Interest rate...
More expertise and resource are required within HMRC to tackle fraud and error, says Lords report
Today the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee published its report on the Government’s draft Finance Bill 2022-23....
Insurance and protection
ONS excess deaths data highlights need for employers to provide death-in-service benefits
GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, believes the recent excess deaths data published by the Office of National Statistics...
Vitality warns cost of living crisis could leave more families unprotected
New research from Vitality has revealed that the current cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on the finances of families...
Money Expert: Could life insurance have helped a family financially crippled after suffering huge loss?
Purchasing life insurance can often fall to the bottom of the priority list, especially during a cost of living crisis. In fact, according...
Heart-broken: Almost half (43%) of unmarried couples won’t get a life insurance pay-out if their partner dies
With the New Year upon us, Scottish Widows is encouraging financial advisors to help couples take a fresh look at their finances in 2023,...
Vitality predicts cost of living crisis could leave more young people unprotected
New research from Vitality has uncovered that the current economic environment is preventing people from reaching the typical life...
Mortgage & Property
Virgin breach 4% barrier with fixed rates – for a 10-year fix.
As Virgin breach the symbolic 4% barrier with fixed rates - for a 10-year fix - brokers comment on this development: Justin Moy, Managing Director at EHF Mortgages: "This is great news and a significant landmark in the current market. Long-term, low loan-to-value...
2023 begins with further slowing in annual house price growth
HeadlinesJan-23Dec-22Monthly Index*523.4526.5Monthly Change*-0.6%-0.3%Annual Change1.1%2.8%Average Price(not seasonally adjusted)£258,297£262,068 * Seasonally adjusted figure (note that monthly % changes are revised when seasonal adjustment factors are re-estimated)...
Nationwide HPI: “January was a tale of two halves” – reaction from estate agents and brokers
Following the Nationwide January house price index published this morning, Newspage have shared the thoughts of estate agents, mortgage brokers and financial advisers with IFA Magazine: Nick Harris, co-founder at Wokingham-based Quarters Residential...
Opinium: Growing concern among IFAs, as two thirds fear that clients will struggle to afford mortgage payments
According to new research from Opinium, two thirds (63%) of financial advisers who advise on mortgages are concerned that their clients may struggle to make their mortgage payments as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. These concerns have grown significantly since...
Legal & General: Demand for energy-efficient homes rose in December
Legal & General has today revealed which areas of the mortgage market are continuing to grow, despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. According to data from its SmartrFit platform, the most popular mortgage criteria searches in December 2022 were made by...
Key Later Life CEO comments on Equity Release Figures
Following the Equity Release Council’s latest figures this morning, Will Hale, CEO at Key Later Life Finance has shared his thoughts. Will Hale said: “Today’s figures from the Equity Release Council highlight a healthy later life lending market but one not immune from...
Regulation & Compliance
Most UK adults don’t seek regulated financial advice, believing it to be “too expensive” and “for the wealthy”
New research from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) reveals that almost two-thirds (64%) of UK adults with savings,...
Consumer Duty a ‘watershed moment’ that firms must take seriously, FCA warns at PIMFA conference
The Consumer Duty is a “watershed moment” for firms offering investment services and financial advice, that must be taken extremely...
Regulatory focus increases as firms get to grips with scale of Consumer Duty change
With six months to go until the FCA’s Consumer Duty comes into effect Oliver Sharland, managing principal at consultancy Capco, comments...
Firms need to act on SDR says Abi Reilly
As the FCA’s Consultation Paper on SDR closed this week, Abi Reilly, Funds Practice Lead at Bovill, has commented. She said: “Bovill...
IA responds to FCA consultation on SDR and investment labels
In response to the FCA's consultation on SDR and investment labelling, Chris Cummings, Chief Executive of the Investment Association (IA)...
Digest
1/3 people worried about funding care in retirement: is selling the family home the only option?
Written by Lisa Morgan, partner in the specialist Nursing Care team at Hugh James Solicitors New figures released in M&G Wealth’s Retirement Revisited Report have revealed that 1 in 3 people (33%) are concerned about how they will fund their health care in...
First domino of WRU revolution falls:
Chief exec goes, amidst further calls for overhaul of Welsh rugby Union.. OK, it's Sunday, and a story about Welsh rugby may look a little crow-barred into this site. But with so many Professional rugby players finding second careers in Financial advice (Rhys...
Breaking into Finance: Bristol is 5th Best UK City Outside of London for Entry Level Positions
Planning for a career in finance in the UK? Most finance graduates set their sights on London, the world’s finance capital. However, other cities have multiple entry-level positions in finance for individuals looking to avoid the high cost of living in London. UK...
Work, live and travel in Europe: Remote working visas attract individuals and families to pursue a European lifestyle
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently announced that 200 applicants have been granted a Digital Nomad Visa to live and work in the country, since the launch of the visa scheme in October 2022. According to the government body, the remote workers who...
GDP is the most misunderstood finance term, Google search data reveals
‘Gross Domestic Product’ (GDP) is the most misunderstood finance term worldwide, with an average of over 165,000 searches each month for its definition. That's according to new research by City Index. In this study, the experts utilised search analytics...
Phoenix Group comments on the government’s response to the Women and Equalities Committee report on menopause in the workplace
Written by Andy Briggs, Group CEO of Phoenix Group and Government Business Champion for Older Workers Unlike pregnancy or maternity, the menopause is generally not well understood or provided for in workplace cultures, policies and training. A quarter of working women...
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