What exactly is the credit crunch?
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
Ah there is a question. Well in political terms, the credit crunch is a damn good opportunity to dump everything that’s gone wrong on an inanimate object that no-one can blame.
How do Extra Allocation Investments work?
Reader Writes:
I have just received an offer from my bank for an investment that offers me an extra allocation if I invest now. How do these extra allocation investments work? Are they real or is it a gimmick? This one says it will give me 102% of the amount of capital I invest.
Quantitative Easing – Your Questions Answered
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
Following last week’s article on quantitative easing I had a number of questions which arose which I will endeavour to answer below.
What is Quantitative Easing?
Quantitative easing. Oh what financial times we are going through. So to coin a phrase for all those people who are now thinking it…just what is this quantitative easing all about?
Securing business finance to weather the financial storm
Business finance has never been in the news more than it is now and justifiably so.
Understanding GDP and the Economy
Reader Writes:
I often hear about the ‘economy’ and wondered exactly what it is. GDP is often referred to and I never understand it. Can you explain?
The Banking Crisis – Where are we now?
As normal the noise abounds regarding where our economy is today and it is most interesting to read the views of those with vested interests.
How Much?! Currency Exchange Rates
I am just about to scoot off with the family for a skiing session in Andorra and having left my financial brain behind I am now enduring the implications of currency exchanges!! The words ‘how much?’ come to mind. It used to be when you went into any Eurozone area and you were given the price that you calmed yourself with knowing that the discount would apply (currency difference), so that pint was all the better. With almost parity with the Euro threatening, foreign holidays are, at best, very expensive.
Should I use lifestyling to manage my pension?
Reader Writes:
I have been advised to change my pension to a plan that allows for lifestyling. I have been told that lifestyling is the best way for my pension to be managed during the last ten or so years before retirement. Is this true?
Are financial institutions financially sound?
Reader Writes:
How many financial institutions do you think are financially sound? Do you think they will be able to continue in their current format?
The Credit Crunch – What on earth is that then?
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
Somehow, somewhere, someone has managed to swing poor lending processes and swashbuckling investment decisions by banks, over to Mr poor mortgage payer in the good old USA. That’s a bit like trying to glue jelly to a tree.
Some Twinkly Lights for the Canny Investor
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
So here we have it. A near zero interest rate for savers. Couple this with the fact banks are under pressure by regulators and markets to keep larger amounts of capital aside relative to the loans they have given, and you have a very tricky scenario.