Your independent financial advice uk Information
Offshore Investment Guide
This is the first in a series of articles that are not intended to be a definitive technical reference manual. The aim is to convey the essence of each subject summarised, highlighting the majority of advantages and disadvantages attributable to each type of investment. In this way Private Investors can assess the various plus and minus points of the many investment options available to them. This can be achieved at a leisurely pace without any pressure.
When you have read the information related to your own circumstances, you will be able to easily and quickly structure your own profile in line with your individual investment philosophy. Reading these articles will help you learn more about 'Offshore Investing'.
About UK Regulated Financial Advice
The UK Financial Services Act 1986 laid the foundations for what is arguably the most stringent and robustly regulated financial legislation in the world today.
All UK financial advisers and investment institutions must be authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Persons that provide financial advice, including homeowner mortgages, must demonstrate their competence by passing the requisite examinations related to the type of financial advice given. Further more, advisers are required to keep up to date with knowledge to demonstrate their 'continuous professional development.
UK financial advisers fall into three main categories:
" Single Tied Agents that represent one investment company
" Multi Tied Agents of a limited number of investment providers
" Independent Financial Advisers (IFA) that have access to the whole market
Advisers are required to provide their full terms of business together with a copy client agreement that must be signed by the client.
Advisers are required to 'know their clients' by obtaining a thorough fact find about the client's circumstances and financial objectives.
Private Investor Protection
There are a number of rigorously enforced complaints procedures that apply to both UK regulated financial advisers and investment/insurance product providers.
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
The UK FOS deals with all complaints against authorised persons in connection with regulated investment activities. The FOS can award compensation for any loss and/or enforce the respondent to remedy any loss. The maximum compensation is £100,000 plus costs.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
The FSCS is empowered to award compensation in relation to:
Protected deposits- Maximum £ 31,700
Protected investments - Maximum £ 48,000
Long term insurance - Minimum 90% (No Maximum)
General insurance &
Investment contracts. - Minimum 90% (No Maximum)
Non UK Regulated Investment Institutions
Ask your adviser about the Regulatory procedures and Compensation schemes related to the offshore jurisdictions where non UK based investment companies are located. The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey have regulatory and financial protection measures similar to the UK. Other locations in Europe such as Switzerland and Lichtenstein have stringent controls to protect client invested assets. Further a field, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore to name but a few also have robust investor protection regimes.
Article author: Shaun Dalton
Here's how to find out: If...
* you have absolutely no outstanding debts of any kind
* your investments are such that you can easily live off the
earnings without ever touching the principal,
* you have complete control over your time, giving you the
freedom to enjoy your income with your family and friends,
* where your stress levels relating to financial concerns are
virtually eliminated.
...then you are financially independent.
(above list -modified - courtesy of www.acrisp.com)
If you're not, the first step to wealth is to
believe that you can achieve it. Believe that you deserve to be wealthy. Desire it and then state your desire to
be free of financial worries. Write it down - declare
your intention to yourself and the universe. Get clear
on your goal: is it just to become debt-free, just to get
by financially or is it to be financially independent and
free. In other words, is your goal to become wealthy?
Next step is to find out the things that are keeping you from
being financially free. Do you spend unneccessarily? Are you
in debt? Are you ignorant of what to do? Financial illiteracy
keeps many people stuck in a rut when it comes to managing their
money. Bad money habits and mindsets do the same too. You must sort these issues out in advance otherwise you might sabotage your efforts and lose whatever wealth you acquire (think of those unfortunate lottery winners you've read about).
Then you need to plan action steps to take you from where you are
to where you want to be financially. Think of investments,
building your assets, creating multiple income streams etc.
Learn about these different wealth-building strategies, pick
one that suits you and get to work on it.
Replace harmful attitudes and habits relating to money with helpful ones. Educate yourself on financial matters. Find out how
to make your money work for you instead of spending your whole
life working for your money. Seek professional advice from a
financial advisor if you need to, but do something today to
move you towards your financial goal.
The whole time be determined and disciplined about your decision.
Take things one step at a time. With a clearly stated goal, the
right information and a well-thought-out plan of action, you will
eventually become financially fr*ee.
Dr Kem Thompson is a Wealth & Success Coach, Speaker, Author. She teaches individuals how to create wealth with integrity, and achieve true financial freedom. Financial freedom starts with financial intelligence, so begin your education by watching 2 short educational movies on this site, and contact Dr Thompson when you're done:
http://www.explorefreedom.com/drkem
Article Source:
ezinearticles.comHere is a question for you.......
Have you ever walked into an estate agents when looking at buying a house and been jumped upon with the question “What are you doing about your mortgage?”This gets mentioned to you even before they have asked what sort of house you would like. This is then followed by we have an independent advisor who has exclusive deals? The question you need to ask yourself is am I being told the complete truth?
Well having been one of these annoying estate agents in the past and been trained like a monkey word for word to try and convince the customer to come in for a chat you may understand where I’m coming from.
Even though you are told these advisors are independent the chances are they tick the Panelled lending box. The people with the whole of market option (Which is very few) are the ones you really want to speak to.
With this in mind I decided to set up an independent mortgage broker in Southampton who work's closely along side smaller independent estate agents.
The company (MRP Associates Ltd) offers a very relaxed approach to the situation, and is quite unique in the fact that being a whole of market broker we do not charge a fee to the client. On top of this being able to offer life assurance products’ from the likes of companies such as Norwich Union, Liverpool Victoria, and Friends Provident to name but a few, it really is classed as a one stop shop!
I also decided to go out and spend a allot of money on a website (www.mrp-associates.co.uk ) that the customer can actually use, rather then just looking at a selection of rates. The site is updated daily with all mortgage rates and the customer can even apply online via the broker.
If you are looking for a Mortgage Advisor in Southampton who is here to give you the best advice possible then pay us a visit.
www.mrp-associates.co.uk
mail@mrp-associates.co.uk
Article author: Matthew Payne
