STEEL YOURSELF FOR A LETTER FROM LINLITHGOW BY ALAN STEEL A SHORT HISTORY OF RISK AND REWARD Always happy to sit back and let somebody else do all the work. This week Alan Steel of Alan Steel Asset Management has kindly volunteered to do this for me. Alan is writing – knowledgeably […]
Boris Johnson for PM – sorting out pension scams? Hey BJ – just a quick note to wish you luck in the PM contest. If you win, please make it your priority to sort out pension fraud. Treating head lice – like fighting pension scammers – is a matter of the utmost urgency. Everyone knows
Dear Boris – when you’re PM… Read More »
Woodford Equity Income Fund – perhaps a wonderful opportunity to get investment management and advice right at last? There is a huge difference between an investment scam and a fund which is in trouble because of an error of judgement (as pointed out by Stephen Sefton – an expert on pension and investment scams as
Woodford – right investment wrong investors? Read More »
Blevins Franks has reported Pension Life for defamation on LinkedIn – a right old cock up as all I did was state the facts and the truth as defined by Spanish law and regulations. Dear Blevins Franks. I am very upset about the Blevins Franks cock up with LinkedIn. You think I’ve written something defamatory,
Blevins Franks Cock Up Read More »
Fact Finds and Risk assessments are critical to measuring a clients appetite for risk and their subsequent suitability for particular schemes. Too often these are overlooked and products with high commissions are sold. This needs to change. Standard 4 of our 10 standards is key to this change.
Full Fact Finds and Measured Risks make the world a better place Read More »
WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH FLYNN: I went to buy a new mattress the other day. Thought I’d treat myself to a good quality mattress from a reputable retail outlet. The latest developments in bedding technology mean that choosing a new mattress requires much soul searching after an incredibly detailed fact find and risk assessment. Naively, I
What’s wrong with financial services? Almost as painful and debilitating as what’s wrong with my foot! I’ve just been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. I write this partly in the hope of getting some (richly-deserved) sympathy, and party because it illustrates what is so terribly wrong with financial services (especially offshore). It all started with a
PLANTAR FASCIITIS and what’s wrong with financial services. Read More »
What is a death bond? Also known as a life bond, portfolio bond, executive bond, offshore bond – or, if you are a commission-based broker – an 8% commission bond. Who provides death bonds? The usual suspects (many of whom also provide ghastly long-term savings plans that ruin savers): Old Mutual International RL360 SEB Lombard
Dolphin Trust is now called The German Property Group. Former founder and director Charles Smethurst has left. Hundreds – possibly thousands – of investors (lenders) are now hung out to dry. Dolphin isn’t answering the phone as people are desperate to find out if and when they will get their money back. Dolphin has a
Dolphin Trust – a matter of serious regret Read More »
Indemnity Insurance is an absolute must for your financial advisor. If he can not prove to you that his indemnity will cover 100% of your pension or investment then you should walk away immediately! Through our studies of numerous scams across the world we have found that many scams operate with below par indemnity. In
John’s Nightmare aboard Scamair Read More »
DEADLY AUSTRALIAN (AND OTHER) TOXIC INVESTMENT FAILURES LM Management Performance Currency Protected Australian Income LM First Mortgage Income Premier Eco Resources LM Wholesale First Mortgage Premier New Earth Recycling Solutions Institutional Currency Protected Australian Income New Earth Solutions Recycling Facilities Axiom Legal Financing Kijani We could write thousands of pages about these toxic, risky, illiquid
LM and other monstrous failed funds Read More »
A High Court Judge has called for an investigation into the FCA’s dismal failings over the lack of action prior to the collapse of the London Capital & Finance bond. More than a dozen MPs have also called for Andrew Bailey – £600k a year head of the FCA – to go. High court judge
FCA head Andrew Bailey must go (over London Capital & Finance bond scandal) Read More »
