Financial Advice Why Paying For it Saves You Money

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For many years, independent financial advisors in the UK have operated on a sales-driven commission model. This has meant that instead of being paid directly by those who came to them for impartial financial advice, they received a commission from the providers of the financial products as a marketing cost, with the advice function being a secondary consequence of the transaction.

While this offered short-term benefits for the cash-strapped consumer looking for financial advice, it brought a host of problems. The most obvious was that financial advisors were incentivised to recommend products that paid them attractive commission not necessarily those that were right for their clients.

This problem reached its peak with the pensions mis-selling scandal, which saw thousands of people move out of occupational pensions schemes when they would have been better advised to stay put. Although it first came to light many years ago, pensions mis-selling was still a problem as recently as 2008, when unscrupulous financial advisors were found to be encouraging investors to switch their pensions at a total cost of 43m per year.

As things stand, advisors can take commission when they sell products such as pensions or unit trusts, as well as a trail or recurring commission for every year the consumer holds the product. According to the FSA, these commissions amounted to an average of 5.6% of the sum invested. So while financial advice might be free at the point of sale, it certainly does have an impact on the performance of an investment and, more importantly, it is clear that the advice given to the consumer can never be truly impartial.

However, there is a different way, as Neil Shillito, Director of leading financial advisors SG Wealth Management, explains. Stephen Girling (my fellow director) and I wrote our business plan in 2000, and we felt that the best way to run a higher-end financial advice business was on the basis of what is now known as Customer Agreed Remuneration, he says. Put simply, what advice and service can I expect to be given, over how long and at what cost? People in the industry looked at us as though we were mad. But we were ten years ahead of the thinking at that time. Slowly, the Regulator and the industry have accepted the changes.

The firm has a completely transparent model, where clients are simply charged a percentage of their investment in return for first class advice and service, irrespective of and unrelated to investment products. It took time for the firms offering to catch on, but it soon proved popular. It was very tough in the early years, recalls Shillito. We didnt have enough clients to generate referrals, so we worked hard to build up our presence in the local community and demonstrate that our business proposition added real value to the right kind of client. Despite the horrendous market downturn in 2001/2003 as a result of the bursting of the “tech bubble”, we became profitable in our fourth year, and have become increasingly profitable ever since. Even the recessionary period of 2007/2009 has failed to make a dent in the robustness of our financial stability.

It seems the rest of the financial advice industry is now coming round to SGWMs way of thinking: from 2012, UK financial advisors will be forced to charge the consumer directly for their services. Is SGWM concerned about the influx of new competitors? No, not really, Neil replies. We have a ten-year head start in terms of what the FSAs RDR [Retail Distribution Review] will bring in 2012. Firms that are changing slowly or reluctantly are going to find it hard to adjust, while were already accustomed to delivering our financial advice this way. If anything, it will be good for us, because it will raise awareness and acceptance of the direct-charging model.

How To Measure Hotel Loyalty Programs Performance

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Very often hotel owners or managers start loyalty programs with the aim of attracting new customers and retaining existing ones. These programs offer discounts, free and additional services for customers. For example, if a guest books a suite for three nights he gets free dinners. This is just a simple example, and the best customer loyalty programs can offer great services. However, the time comes to evaluate efficiency of loyalty programs. Many hotel owners and top managers make a mistake of evaluation program results after the end of the program. Its something goes wrong from the very beginning the hotel managers will learn about that only in the end when it will be too late to do anything. Of course, ongoing financial results can tell much but not everything about efficiency of a particular loyalty program. This is where performance evaluation tools come into play. Being armed with knowledge on current performance of a hotel and efficiency of loyalty program, top managers can introduce amendment
s and changes to the program to achieve even better results. It is very difficult to make 100% correct forecasts. Markets change all the time and customers change their preferences. Thus, loyalty programs have to follow these changes.

An increasing number of hotel owners and hotel managers use Balanced Scorecard. This revolutionary performance evaluation and strategic management tool proved its efficiency in hotel business which is characterized by intense competition. Balanced Scorecard does not only evaluate financial indicators (results) but also nonfinancial measures that can tell much about what is going to happen in the near future. Balanced Scorecard consists of four categories: financial, customer, internal business processes, learning and growth. Each category contains key performance indicators which provide top managers with correct and timely information on performance on the loyalty program and its outcomes for business.

Imagine that hotel management has launched customer loyalty program by offering discounts for regular customers and free gifts and services for new ones. As some time passes by, Balanced Scorecard begins to display the first results which are not only financial results. For example, the number of hotel customers may increase and customer satisfaction improves. This means that in the long term the hotel will see and increasing revenue because customers who have participated in loyalty program will most likely come back again. If Balanced Scorecard shows warning signs the loyalty program needs to be changed. For instance it may turn out that providing new customers with free dinners is not profitable at all. Thus, the hotel managers have to look for another way to attract customers.

Loyalty programs have one goal to increase revenue by improving loyalty of existing customers and attracting new customers. At the same time loyalty programs have to be profitable in financial terms. Balanced Scorecard will help optimize costs and improve efficiency of loyalty programs.

Introduction of Balanced Scorecard to the hotel should be supported by the majority of personnel who should participate in discussion of key performance indicators and everyday use of BSC.

Different Types Of Financial Markets – Get To Know Them

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There are several different types of financial markets. Financial markets are tools that allow people to buy and sell securities or commodities and other financial tools. Investors typically trade and sell the various forms of financial instruments through what is called the stock market. They also have the ability to trade between buyers and sellers. The trading can be done both domestically or internationally according to fair market pricing.

Capital markets are different types of financial markets that deal with the trade of certain types of bonds and stocks. Capital markets can either relate to newly issued bonds and stocks. Or it may handle trades of pre-existing bonds and stocks. This market is typically referred to as either the bond or stock market. The bond market oversees financing regarding the issuance of various types of bonds. And the stock market does the same but for stock issues.

Other vital markets include money markets. Money markets are components of the financial markets. This type of market concerns itself with short-term borrowing and lending practices of securities with a maturation date of one year or less. Various instruments are traded in money markets such as treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and several other financial instruments. Money markets essentially facilitate short term debt and capital financing.

There are many other types of financial markets such as; derivatives, foreign exchange, insurance and commodity markets. The purpose of all financial markets is to provide some form of fund raising. It is through these various financial markets that those in need of borrowing funds can find those that are willing to lend funds. These types of financial transaction take place in stock exchange. It is in stock exchange where investors can buy and sell shares of stock from other companies.

The entire foundation of the various types of financial markets is based on a system to borrowing and lending. Those seeking funding can be individuals, corporations, the government and other institutions. There are many reasons these various types of borrowers seek funding. When companies sell shares of their stock, they may be in need of additional capital to meet their expansion needs. Various government entities utilize municipal bonds to raise funds for various projects including improving city infrastructure. There are many reasons for funding across all the different forms of borrowers.

Lenders in the Financial Market are actually the investors. Investors will purchase various forms of financial products which will end up converting into capital for the borrower. There are many different ways these transactions occur. One typical way is when a company issues shares of stock from their company. This is a quick way for companies that are valued in the market place, to make quick cash.

The different types of financial markets are in existence for the purpose of raising capital. As with any institution, there are advantages and disadvantages inherent in the system. It is important to be well informed about the various financial tools before you employ them for your use.

Business Credit Line Funding On Remote Control Asset Based Lending And Funding Delivers

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Business credit line funding needs can be achieved in more ways than one. The concept of having your funding needs on a ‘ remote control ‘ should be very appealing to most business owners / financial managers. Asset based lending via ‘ ABL ‘ credit lines is one way to put your company on cash flow auto pilot. Here’s how. Let’s dig in.

Businesses requiring SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE funding for cash flow are always challenged by the requirements of our somewhat monopolistic banking system in Canada. The strength, market dominance, and the regulated nature of our banks make it often difficult for companies who are even doing quite well to achieve some or all of the financing they need. Simply speaking they fall ‘ outside the box ‘ when it comes to requirements that include profits, cash flows, clean balance sheets, etc.

The banks requirement of covenants in cash flow, debt, profits, equity simply can sometimes not be always met, and these are typically a written part of your bank arrangements. Firms who fall ‘ out of covenant ‘ with their bank often find themselves feeling not so ‘ special ‘ when they are placed in Special Loans Default dept’s at the bank .

By utilizing your firms current and fixed assets asset based lines of credit allow you to leave your business on a kind of ‘ auto pilot ‘ for cash flow financing. That’s because the combination of accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets allow you to monetize those assets into one single borrowing base that revolves and can be drawn down according to your cash flow needs.

When properly managed and utilized (and structured in advance!) this type of cash flow funding allows you to”

Finance operations

Engage larger clients/ larger orders/contracts

Finance inventory which in many bank circumstances is sometimes not achievable

Typically you would never use your revolving asset based credit line as a mechanism to acquire new assets – this is typically done via equipment leases or bridge loans that sometimes are more applicable when a firm is in a financing transition.

By the way, in a merger and acquisition scenario the Asset Based Credit Line is an excellent way to successfully acquire a target company.

How does the ongoing access to liquidity work in Asset based lending? A/R is often financed at 90%, and inventory borrowing margins, while depending on the type of inventory class (raw materials, work in process, finished goods) can range from 25-75% borrowing power. Should a business choose to monetize fixed assets as part of their revolving credit facility typically a third party appraisal/valuation is required.

It should be noted that ongoing reporting requirements are typical of an asset based line of credit – in some cases owners/managers might find rigorous monthly ( sometimes weekly ) reporting as a ‘ downside ‘ of ABL cash flow financing . While 99% of the time pricing on these facilities is higher than bank credit the alternative is a liquidity crisis for ongoing operations of growth.

We’ve shown how not all business credit lines are not created equal. If you’re prepared to investigate the applicability of asset based lending to your business seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your funding needs.

Stan Prokop

Financefix- They help your future by fixing your financial constraints

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Finance from a bank or a company is increasingly becoming an indispensable need of our lives. Whether, be it for personal purpose or commercial, loan from a company or a bank help you in the wake of financial constraints. It is thus very important to manage your finances effectively. One may need loans for buying a house or a car, for business growth, or to acquire costly education. Inept management of finances can lead to restoration shortages. Experts believe that improved credit scores increases the probability of getting a loan way too easily. A good credit history is considered highly important and is an essential factor for a lot of banks and companies on which they provide loans.

Thus, a problematic or bad credit history can indeed create issues in the way of getting finances or loans. In that case, one can always turn to Financefix. Financefix Private Limited, incorporated in year 2006 is a proud member of Financiers Association of Australia. It was found at a time when so called -mainstream- finance was not available for those people who had some finance issues in the past. As a result, it created defaults on their credit history file forbidding them from getting finances from a bank or a company.

Thus, the need of setting up of Financefix was felt to help people who could not get through the mainstream finance. Financefix believes that most of them were good people but were incapable of getting finances because they had certain credit problems. Even when they are capable of affording a loan, their past record doesn’t allow them to get through any of the mainstream finance companies or banks. Therefore, Financefix ensures to finance such people with credit problems in the past, provided they earn enough to afford the repayments.

Also, Financefix makes automotive financing a hassle free and seamless task. They have an extensive range of cars that are carefully tested in workshop and are sold with a RWC or a safety certificate with a 3 year warranty is given with the loan. Besides automotive financing, Financefix has an extensive range of finance and insurance products as well. Financing with Financefix is easy and promising that just requires completion of their online application form that is free and easy to fill. . The limit of the loan usually exceeds to a maximum of $8000. Financefix’s Credit impaired car loans has few conditions that involves one must have enough income to afford repayments and a deposit amount of usually $1000-$2000 is a must. Financefix’s commits itself to be your trusted finance partner and promises to be there in every step of the way to help you. To know more about their services in finance and insurance, please visit their website at www.financefix.com.au