News:LV= latest news
March 11 2010
Client Investments and TCF - Making your life easier
At LV= we believe a good portfolio planning tool should help you rate your clients' attitude to risk as quickly and accurately as possible.
That's why as a registered user of our portfolio planning tool - Retirement Planner, you'll start to notice the improvements we've recently made to the system. more...
F&C News in Brief
March 11 2010
Check out the latest stories from F&C:
F&C’s Mahtani: Next decade “will belong to India” /
F&C Japan desk gets vote of confidence from world’s oldest investment trust/
Selective risk/return opportunities remain in High Yield more...
PanaceaIFA Members - an invitation to F&C Webcasts on 16 and 23 March 2010
March 10 2010
F&C Income Webcast – 16 March, 11am
Featuring Fatima Luis, fund manager of F&C’s Strategic Bond, Extra Income Bond and Maximum Income Bond Funds & Paras Anand, fund manager of F&C European Growth & Income Fund. more...
F&C News in brief
March 9 2010
Check out the latest news from F&C:
Jeff Chowdhry discusses the emerging market regions that he believes offer the best short and long-term investment opportunities; IRP Property Investments enjoys strong half-year results; F&C's Multi Manager Team add the Templeton Global Total Return Fund to the F&C Multi Manager Cautious portfolio; F&C launch Fantasy Portfolio game
more...
Multi-benefit protection from Scottish Provident - You do the maths.
March 9 2010
In an ideal world clients would be able to afford as much protection as they wanted. But few would describe current times as anything like ideal. This doesn't mean however that they have to make either/or decisions that can lead to them missing out on essential protection.
more...
The Hunters' Tails
March 5 2010
Number 79 5 March 2010
Greeks bearing rhubarb......
It's like something out of Tintin. This week the Treasury Select Committee has been quizzing one Baron Alexandre Lamfalussy, supposedly the Captain Haddock of the "European regulatory framework", in the final part of its inquiry into banks that are deemed 'too big to fail'. Perhaps this time, words will butter parsnips.
more...
Marketing-Hub: HUBeNews
March 5 2010
Check out the latest news from Marketing-Hub:
Ten steps for successful financial planning
ISA Guide - updated for 2010/11
Test drive upgraded newsletter builder
Jon David Smith, live
more...
A new FSA framework for penalties under which fines could treble in size.
March 4 2010
Leah Milner of Money Marketing has reported that the FSA penalty framework links fines more closely to income and will take effect from March 6.
The framework sets out that fines will be based on up to 20 per cent of a firm’s revenue from the product or business area linked to the breach over the relevant period, up to 40 per cent of an individual’s salary and benefits including bonuses from their job relating to the breach and there will be a minimum fine of £100,000 for individuals involved in serious market abuse cases.
more...
Ted Scott on the wire: China: can it learn the lessons from Japan?
March 3 2010
In November I wrote a note examining whether China was a potential bubble that could burst. China has become increasingly integral to the global recovery story following the credit crunch, especially as some developed economies are showing signs of fragility as they have continued to be weighed down by the size of their debt burden. Last year I concluded that the scepticism about China's economic miracle was largely misplaced even though certain risk assets were clearly overvalued. In this piece, I revisit the doubts harboured about the Chinese growth story but with particular reference to what happened in Japan two decades ago. more...
Schroder Income Fund with Ian Lance and Nick Purves - Fund Manager profiles
March 3 2010
Originally qualifying as an accountant Nick Purves moved from KPMG to Schroders in 1994. His Investment career commenced in 1994 when he joined Schroders. Initially he was an Engineering Analyst in the Research department. Today he manages circa £2.5 billion in UK equities including the SJP Schroder Managed Funds and the SJP Equity Income Unit Trust. He holds a degree in Geology, Chartered Accountant. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Investment Management and Research. more...
M&G Recovery Fund Teleconference - Ten years with Tom Dobell!
March 2 2010
M&G Recovery Fund Teleconference - Ten years with Tom Dobell! Tuesday 23 March 2010, at 10:00
Next month, Tom Dobell *celebrates ten years as manager of the market-leading M&G Recovery Fund. In his hands, it has been the only fund in the IMA UK All Companies sector to have outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index in every single calendar year**. Tom is only the third manager in the fund’s 40-year history.
more...
AEGON - Improving our guarantees
March 2 2010
Our award-winning guaranteed income product – AEGON Secure Lifetime Income – just got even better.
What’s changed?
We’ll now calculate income on the fund value instead of the cash-in value of the plan for all new investors.
more...
Resources Compliance invitation to 2010 Spring Seminars and Breakfast Briefings
March 2 2010
We would like to invite you to our 2010 Spring Seminars and Breakfast Briefings.
If you are interested in reserving a place, please do not hesitate to contact us. more...
LV= Latest news
March 2 2010
Check out the latest stories from LV=
. You'll love our new protection rates
. The cost of a child tops £200,000 more...
FundsNetwork Tools on site
March 2 2010
Advisers have long recognised the benefits of using investment platforms. But some offer little more than convenient access to a broad range of funds and a basic set of client reporting tools. In contrast, FundsNetwork offers broader opportunities for the modern adviser practice. They have an extensive range of accounts, tax wrappers and tools, which will enable you to deliver a comprehensive and fully supported service to your clients.
more...
The Hunters' Tails
March 1 2010
The angst of economics ...
“It’s the economy, stupid!” Thus spake Clinton’s strategist James Carville in 1992. And thus Bill won, and George senior lost, the Presidency. Well, as the bullying bathos of Brown continues, all eyes are on the number, due later today, for the UK’s GDP in Q4 ’09. As companies have hoarded cash and re-built their balance sheets, business investment in the UK fell by 19% in 2009. more...
AEGON - An even bigger Business Brain
March 1 2010
This month's focus is on professional connections and what stops advisers from forming new alliances. There's also help for business planning and how to set effective goals to manage outcomes of unexpected events and marketing planning on how advisers can use Linked In (the business equivalent to Facebook) to grow their business. more...
AEGON - We've increased our multi-benefit discounts for individual protection
March 1 2010
We've increased the multi-benefit discounts available when a customer takes out two or more benefits on the same plan, saving both time and money. more...
Hub eNews: 25 Feb 10 - Bringing Industry speakers to your desktop
February 26 2010
Live, online and interactive Marketing-hub.co.uk is delighted to bring you the launch of a web-portal for financial advisers, allowing you to participate in live and interactive presentations from industry leaders and keynote speakers. more...
F&C News in brief
February 26 2010
Multi Manager Team purchase US ‘active’ fund
F&C’s Multi Manager Team have introduced an ‘active’ US exposure to their overseas equity allocation across the F&C Lifestyle and F&C Multi Manager portfolios.
more...
Chris Burvill fund manager profile
February 25 2010
Chris joined Gartmore in December 2002 as Head of UK Equity Income. Chris joined Gartmore from Investec Asset Management where he spent 10 years. Whilst there, he managed a number of successful funds including the prestigious Cautious Managed Fund. Prior to this Chris was with Commercial Union as a UK equities investment analyst and was promoted to sector manager in 1985 more...
Wizard Learning - School student encourages youngsters to become IFAs
February 25 2010
We are always pleased to receive feedback about our online training and recently received great comments from Josh as he quickly racked up passes for CF1, CF2 and CF3. I was therefore delighted when he offered to put an article together, especially as he mentioned that he was fitting in his certificate studies between his school exams. Those thinking about or know someone interested in becoming financial advisers I feel will be inspired by Josh’s exam success and future plans. more...
Making the right connection....the secret to profitable client service
February 25 2010
There's been much talk about connectivity in the world of financial services technology over recent years. The focus has been very much on transactional connections...passing data between one system and another to achieve the utopia that is straight-through processing.... But is it really the utopia we are looking for? It may achieve business efficiencies or save time but it does not connect us with our client. This approach was about making our businesses' lives easier but where was the client focus in all this? more...
Scottish Provident: Your clients don't need to compromise quality for cost
February 22 2010
Your clients don't need to compromise quality for cost. Scottish Provident believes that your cost conscious clients shouldn't have to compromise the quality of their cover. With a Family Income Benefit plan (critical illness on an income basis) they can pick and choose their cover with our 'mix and match' of benefits. Premiums could be reduced. The key advantage of this benefit is that your clients can choose to receive any potential payout either as a lump sum, a monthly income or a combination of both. more...
IFA letter of the week
February 22 2010
Huge FSCS supplementary call on IFA practices
Dear Mr Darling, Lord Myners and Mr Byrne,
I write to you as those ultimately responsible for the Financial Regulatory structure of the FSA and FSCS. I had wished to include Gordon Brown but it is noted that the ability to email him has been withdrawn (something to do with a security issue?).
more...
We'd love to cover you with our reduced rates
February 22 2010
Mortgage & Lifestyle Protection (MLP) is a truly revolutionary way to protect your income against accident, sickness & unemployment and designed to provide superior cover to traditional MPPI products.
We're so confident in our product and tele-interview process, that we want you to experience MLP for yourself. We are therefore pleased to announce that we’ve reduced our MLP rates for all advisers.
more...
The Hunters' Tails
February 19 2010
The (s)mothering state ...
You may recall this august organ's account, last year, of the Shropshire-based construction company, Wrekin. It went into administration with debts of more than £40 million, including £3.5 million in outstanding tax and VAT, and over 1,000 dejected creditors. 300 jobs were also wrecked. Wrekin had declared the world's largest ruby, the 10,700 carat, 4.4lb Gem of Tanzania, as an asset valued at £11 million (by, ah, the Instituti Gemmologico Italiano). more...
Fed raises the discount rate - does it mean the beginning of monetary tightening?
February 19 2010
Last night the Fed Reserve Bank in the US unexpectedly raised discount rate by 25bps to
0.75%. It happened after the markets had closed but equity markets in Asia reacted
negatively and European bourses also opened down. The question being asked is does it
mean that the interest rate cycle has now turned because the rising cost of money is usually a
more difficult environment for equity markets. Also, the rise in markets that we have seen since last March has been fuelled by the extra liquidity provided by central banks from their aggressively accommodative monetary policy so could this news signal the end of that stimulus? more...
Ted Scott on the wire: Can PIGS fly Part 2
February 19 2010
The first part of this note focused on the crisis in the Eurozone with particular reference to Greece which is the country that is under most pressure to implement measures to improve its finances. It concluded that the stabilisation measures that have been proposed by the Greek government and accepted by the European Commission may be insufficient to solve the problem and placate the markets without further assistance from within the EU or externally. This is partly due to speculative pressure on Greek debt and the Euro itself and therefore outside the control of the Greek politicians. more...
Hub eNews: 18 Feb 2010
February 19 2010
Check out the latest news from Marketing-hub:
Test drive newsletter builder
The Guide to Diversification
Welcome our new sponsors more...
The art of Consultative Cold Calling US style - a view from across the pond
February 18 2010
Every advisor needs a steady, reliable marketing tactic that delivers qualified prospects who want to discuss their investment needs... more...
IFA letter of the week
February 18 2010
I have sent this to the current (Labour) MP & the Conservative PPC for the area. I just think it is the end for loads of small people like me... I guess I should be ashamed of my income, but I am trying to do it the ‘new’ way and charge fees but my clients are ordinary people.
more...
Gartmore Multi-Manager Absolute Return Fund report with Tony Lanning, Fund Manager
February 18 2010
Tony joined Gartmore in November 2007 as a Fund Manager and Deputy Head of Multi Manager.Prior to this he was Head of Collectives Research at the Private Bank, Arbuthnot Latham & Co. Before this Tony spent six years as Director of Research at Origen (an Aegon owned Company) where he managed a team of seven investment managers and analysts. more...
F&C - Falling in love with Strategic Bonds
February 15 2010
Not missing the Ex November 2009 saw the IMA £ Corporate Bond sector dumped by many investors after a year in which cash flows made it look like a 'match made in heaven' as investors sought both yield and security. Interestingly, the new belle of the ball, the IMA £ Strategic Bond sector saw an almost identical inflow. A trend which we believe will continue and blossom.
more...
Adviser Alliance
February 15 2010
After an extended gestation period due to ill-health and teething troubles with the website the Adviser Alliance is now able to accept applications for membership.
You will be aware that Adviser Alliance is a not for profit organisation set up explicitly to challenge those regulatory and political decisions that impact negatively on Independent Financial Advisers. more...
Which group has the most Alpha Managers?
February 15 2010
Following the launch of the new Alpha Managers on 1 February 2010 we've collated some information on groups with the most Alpha Managers and most viewed managers on Trustnet. more...
An exclusive opportunity to attend a half-day workshop to learn how to position your business for growth in 2010 and beyond
February 15 2010
Strategies for growth. We’re constantly looking for opportunities to create a community of like-minded forward thinking advisers. more...
They've taken what?????
February 12 2010
A recent disturbing event made me think that the adage that it will happen to someone else and not me had a hollow ring about it. In light of this, I would like to share my experience with you in the hope that some lessons learned will help in it not happening to you. more...
F&C Latest news
February 12 2010
Check out the latest news from F&C:
- Fatima Luis discusses two favoured South African bonds
- Robert Siddles on how last week’s hostile bid on Airgas was good news for shareholders.
- ISIS trust manager Ian McBryde snaps up Homebase branch
more...
Wizard Learning - Studying for your CII Diploma or AF5 this April?
February 12 2010
Looking to maximize your chances of success?
Wizard Learning's online learning + face-to-face training package does make the difference! more...
