We are quickly approaching the launch date for the new Pensioners Bonds from NS&I. These will be exclusively available to investors aged 65 and over. They will be available over terms of 1 year or 3 years and while they are designed to be held for the whole term, they can be cashed in early with 90 days loss of interest. The interest rates have not yet been announced, but they are likely to be Read more…
With the vote for Scottish Independence scheduled for 18th September 2014, a number of clients have contacted us where they hold investments with providers based north of the border. The question is whether they should be concerned in the event of a “yes” vote and whether they need to take any action. Clearly recent opinion polls have shown the two campaigns are very close in terms of intended votes and the result is too close Read more…
New ISAs are available from 1st July 2014 and this gives many ISA subscribers the opportunity to increase the total amount they invest in these accounts. The total amount is increasing to £15,000.00 per individual for the current tax year. In a major change to the Cash which may be held in an ISA, the full amount of £15,000.00 may be in Cash. For investors prepared to take some risk to try to achieve a Read more…
The press and the media widely covered the forthcoming changes to ISAs. However, they are so significant and relevent to many of our clients, I thought it would be worth repeating the main changes here. From 1st July 2014 ISAs will be reformed into a simpler product, the “New ISA” (NISA) and all existing ISAs will become NISAs. From that date the overall annual subscription limit for these accounts will be increased to £15,000 for Read more…
Regularly, at meetings with new and existing clients, the subject of Wills comes up. Sometimes there is no Will in place and there is a requirement for one to be drawn up. More often there have been changes in family circumstances when a new Will may be required. In the past we have formed working relationships with a number of Solicitors in both large and small legal practices throughout the region. Where there is a Read more…
Interest rates offered by Bank and Building Societies remain stubbornly low. This week’s statement from Mark Carney at The Bank of England just reinforced the likelihood of the Bank base rate remaining at just 0.5% until next year. Most of our clients hold one or more savings accounts and the best rates on offer for intant access accounts remain at 1.5%pa at best and often considerably lower. With income tax and inflation, this means cash Read more…