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Savings & Investment News

Experts warn of future savings crisis

The Savings and Investment Policy Project, created by an unprecedented industry grouping of leaders from across the UK’s financial services sector, has published a report indicating that the UK is not saving enough to cover day-to-day needs and that, by … Read more »
NAPF warns of FTT threat to pensions

The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has responded to the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) ruling on the UK challenge to the introduction of a European Union financial transaction tax. NAPF’s James Walsh stated that a financial transaction tax … Read more »
Budget reforms bolster saving habits

New research from the National Association of Pension Funds has found that more than a quarter (28%) of consumers are more likely to start saving or save more into a pension following the reforms announced in the Budget. By contrast, … Read more »

Equity release on the rise for retirees

In 2013 the equity release market passed the £1bn threshold after a third successive year of growth, analysis by Key Retirement Solutions has revealed. The rising use of equity release is indicative of increasing confidence in the utilisation of property … Read more »
Pensioners borrowing to boost income

One in five pensioners expect to borrow money, but one in eight over 55s have been turned down for credit during the last year, according to Key Retirement Solutions. One in five pensioners have had to borrow money to boost … Read more »
Bank of England keeps rates at historic low

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England has announced its decision for interest rates in October. The MPC has elected to leave unchanged the United Kingdom’s rate, leaving it at the historic low of 0.5%. The 0.5% … Read more »

Most employers need to review AE schemes

More than two-thirds of employers may need to review their selected auto-enrolment (AE) pension scheme in the wake of the DWP’s (Department for Work and Pensions) “Better workplace pensions” consultation, according to new research from Jelf Employee Benefits. The firm … Read more »
NAPF gives EU Pensions Directive a mixed response

The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has commented on the new EU Pensions Directive (Directive on Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision), which was recently published by the EU Commission. NAPF stated that the Directive introduced a range of new … Read more »
Budget is a pensions game-changer

KPMG has described the Budget as a ‘game-changer’ for the insurance industry. In the Budget the Chancellor significantly increased the flexibility for customers regarding how they access their pension savings upon retirement. KPMG said that the changes announced presented an … Read more »

Most employers need to review AE schemes

More than two-thirds of employers may need to review their selected auto-enrolment (AE) pension scheme in the wake of the DWP’s (Department for Work and Pensions) “Better workplace pensions” consultation, according to new research from Jelf Employee Benefits. The firm … Read more »
Co-op Group to hold 30% stake in rescued bank

Under a new rescue deal, Co-operative Group will retain 30% of the equity in Co-op Bank. Earlier plans for a re-capitalisation of the bank were rejected by bond holders but the group now expects to meet the additional £1.5 billion … Read more »
Surge in optimism for UK financial services

Optimism in the UK’s financial services sector surged in the three months to September, with firms appearing the most upbeat about their overall business situation for almost 17 years, according to the latest CBI/PwC Financial Services Survey. Employment grew but … Read more »

Proofreading gaffs prove pricey for organizations

To many it is a most tedious task, but proofreading has been highlighted as an essential process in the organizational communication process, after a series of high-profile gaffs resulted in costly losses. For example, Comet, the UK electronics retailer that … Read more »
Strong business growth maintained across England and Wales

The combined business activity of the English regions continued to increase strongly in September, according to new research from Lloyds Bank, with a similar pattern seen in Wales, where the rate of growth in activity reached a four-year high. While … Read more »
Half of finance professional lose faith in company forecasts

UK companies need to overhaul their finance functions or suffer competitive disadvantage as the economy recovers and growth opportunities return, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC’s) latest Finance Effectiveness Benchmark study. The annual review of over 200 companies’ finance functions shows how … Read more »

Morgan Stanley partners Prince’s Trust

Morgan Stanley has signed up to a two-year charity partnership with The Prince’s Trust, which helps disadvantaged young people across the UK. Voted for by the bank’s staff in London, the new partnership will see employees bidding to raise £500,000, … Read more »
ESMA issues first risk report on EU securities markets

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its first report on trends, risks and vulnerabilities in European Union (EU) securities markets. The study looks at the performance of securities markets in 2012, assessing both trends and risks to … Read more »
Clearstream’s direct link to Russia to go live

Clearstream says it will be offering competitive prices and deadlines in settling Russian government bonds, from February. The firm, which is a member of the Deutsche Börse group, will launch a direct settlement link to the Russian market following the … Read more »

MGM calls for bespoke annuity rates

Retirement income specialist MGM Advantage has called on the industry to emulate its own course and ensure that every annuity takes into account personal circumstances and is individually underwritten, to give anyone who opts for an annuity the best possible … Read more »
The most important features of retirement products

Following the dramatic changes to pensions announced in the Budget, Partnership has commissioned research to identify what aspects of retirement products are considered most important by consumers. More than 2,000 people aged between 45-70 were surveyed to ascertain their views. … Read more »
Annuity market stabilises after Budget

Roughly three-quarters of annuity clients are going ahead with transactions following the dramatic shake-up of pensions and annuities announced in the Budget, according to over 55s retirement specialist Key Retirement Solutions. Key Retirement Solutions analysed customer data and found 24% … Read more »