Equity release – the dangers of mis-selling
OVER the last few weeks, I’ve covered much of the lending and debt market and how to manage it ethically and effectively. And now to another area of lending – equity release. In June last year, the Financial Conduct Authority laid out its concerns for customers who may be susceptible to buying unsuitable equity release […]
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
EVERYONE knows that having children is a lifetime commitment. That commitment is growing and growing because we are all living longer. There’s the emotional responsibility that never goes away, even though young Jack is now aged 35 and married with two kids. Worrying is part of parenthood and you have to learn to live with […]
A Guiding Hand
Why would anyone apply for a mortgage without the help of an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA)? For a start, the IFA will sort out fact from the fiction, letting you know what is feasible with your financial resources and the best lender to approach in your circumstances. Every week, there’s a new media report about […]
Finding That Little Extra
DEBT seems to have become a way of life. It’s hard to imagine how you would make your way in the modern world without it. The generation that saved first and then bought is long gone. We exist, normally and easily, with levels of debts that would probably have sent our grandparents, if not our […]
The Perfect Storm
Fancy A Cambridge first-class honours degree? Cut down on the partying, work hard and it’s within your grasp. Anything over 70% gets the job done. What about the most nerve-wracking moment of adolescence? Not that. The driving test on which hangs the freedom of the road. You can make up to 15 driving faults – […]
Fix my mortgage at 2.14% or gamble?
Should I fix my mortgage or keep it at a standard variable rate? There are two parts to the answer. The first relates to what risk you can take with your monthly outgoings and the other to the update on whether or not inflation really exists. Speak to an independent mortgage broker for advice but […]
Pensions and overseas banks leading the way for business finance
My bank is telling me that it is still very active in lending in the commercial market but they are not supporting me and my commercial finance broker is struggling to assist me with my business finance. Are banks really being more relaxed with their lending or is this all hype?
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.