Finance

Although there are many advantages of self-employment, one major disadvantage is not having access to a retirement plan that is sponsored by an employer, such as a traditional 401k. Luckily, there is a solo 401(k), which was specifically made for self-employed workers and has a lot of the features in an employer-sponsored plan without having […]

A credit card empowers the holder to purchase and pay for items at acceptable terms with prevailing interest rates. However, carrying the card can lead to a false sense of security as you can ring up your totals without thinking about the ramifications of your monthly budget. Soon enough, you fall into the trap of […]

Coventry is an English city with a rich history and many modern-day attractions. The historic city centre is home to Coventry Cathedral, one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in England. It was built between 1220 and 1240 and is famous for its decorative spires, which are still visible today. The city also has several parks […]

Do you find yourself constantly stressing over your money management skills? Are you financially illiterate or sick to the back teeth of worrying about your future retirement fund? If you said yes, you’re not alone by any means; money management issues would plague the thoughts of plenty of individuals all over the UK. When turbulence […]

Cars are without a doubt one of the most popular modes of transport in the whole of the UK. There are currently around 32 million registered cars on the UK roads which comes as no surprise due to the benefits you get from driving. With more efficiency, comfort, and privacy, there are few negatives to […]

Accidents happen. They are a guaranteed part of our daily lives, from sleepily stirring salt into our morning coffee to falling off your bicycle on the way to work. Unfortunately, sometimes these accidents can be rather serious – and are often avoidable. If you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, whether suffering one […]

There are a few things to consider before opting for an equity release mortgage, but it could be one of the best ways to make the most of your assets. If you’re approaching your State Pension age, it’s a good idea to get a plan together for your estate. In this guide, we’ll cover some […]

As UK consumers we borrow money for a myriad of reasons. Some borrow money to extend a home, others to buy a car, and some even borrow to finance a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. These are some of the positive scenarios but not all money is borrowed to fund enjoyable experiences or upgrades to our material possessions. […]

Cashback is a powerful means for retailers to provide customers with another additional level of convenience, at relatively little cost to themselves. Interestingly, the volume of cashback transactions has declined over the course of the last decade, with those taking place at the point of sale (POS) falling to under 200 million for the first […]

The financial sector is experiencing a period of rapid and unrelenting change, and it has become abundantly clear in the last few years that traditional banks need to adapt or face inevitable decline. Increasingly uncertain geopolitical and economic conditions, swiftly evolving regulations and compliance requirements, and increased competition from both new and existing financial services […]

Professional indemnity insurance is designed to protect businesses from any claims of faulty or inadequate services as a result of work they have done. The reasoning behind claims can vary from job to job but most commonly it is a claim against a mistake the business has made or if a client has suffered a […]

According to the very latest statistics, almost one-in-five new businesses fail in the UK each and every year. This shouldn’t deter you from launching your own venture, however, not least because around 80% of businesses survive beyond the first year and lay the foundations for more sustained success. In this post, we’ll explore this concept […]

Businesses face struggles each and every day. There is no doubt about that. At the same time, the pandemic has presented the business world with a whole new kettle of fish, and companies big and small had to adapt their processes seemingly overnight to stay afloat. It has not been easy. With it estimated at […]

For a while now, it seems like there are no stopping people from talking about ISAs. A short for Individual savings accounts, UK savers are increasingly putting their money into different ISAs. According to the HMRC, the year 2019 – 20 added around 2 million more savers than the previous year. Cash ISAs alone added […]

Accountants play a critical role in businesses by managing their finances. No business can meet its financial obligations without proper management of finances. It is therefore essential to hire a professional accountant to help you keep financial records, plan appropriately, prepare financial documents and tax planning. Choosing the best accountant in London can sometimes be […]

Modern banks are fully powered with the technologies – from the ATM systems to robotic assistance solutions. What’s more, the usage of the right apps is one of the keys to financial service success and development since modern banking software solutions provide the opportunity to decrease risks, improve customer service, prevent illegal attempts and streamline […]

It can be hard to measure the full value of individual financial markets, particularly given the scale of many of these entities. Take the global stock market, for example, which is home to multiple indexes and a raft of billion-dollar equity options. In the US alone, the total market capitalisation of the stock market is […]

As a result of the lockdowns imposed in the UK to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus, socio-economic chaos has ensued. Inducing the greatest global recession since the Great Depression, the virus resulted in -20.4% economic growth in the second quarter of 2020 as much of the secondary and tertiary sectors came to an […]

What was the last service you enjoyed on a UK casino site? Some will only remember gaming. But that’s not enough because most casino sites offer many things that players are not aware of. In the past, sites were only offering gaming and few other services. However, innovation paved the way for the integration of […]

So far, 2020 has been a roller coaster ride for investors. After starting the year at all-time highs, most stock markets crashed sharply in February and March, before recovering to (in some cases) new record highs. In mid-October 2020, the S&P 500 is trading higher than it was in January. A similar picture exists in […]

Improving your credit rating can be tricky and it’s no surprise if you’re not sure where to get started. What affects your credit score? The fact is there’s much more to it than simply borrowing money and paying it off on time, although that tends to have the biggest impact. Whether you need to improve […]

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc for people all around the world, in all different ways. Here in the UK, people have been faced with struggles not seen in a lifetime, and it has taken a toll. For many people, the main cause of concern is their financial situation, with many taking a hit to […]

Some people think that to start online trading, they need to have a considerable amount of money. However, this is not true. Trading doesn’t require a lot of money; you can even start it for free. Starting to trade is easy because the forex market is among the most accessible financial markets. But, before you […]

Payroll management is a crucial aspect of any well-functioning company. When it is negatively affected for some reason, the results can be quite damaging. To prevent this from happening, the company owner and executives must remain aware of the signs that the payroll services are not being managed as efficiently as they should be. Stay […]

We live in the age of e-commerce. Literally. For all that the COVID-19 crisis is devastating the global economy, online sales are growing at a rate never before seen. And they were doing quite well even before the pandemic. Online marketplaces are booming with over 2.5 million sellers on Amazon, 2+ million sellers on Alibaba, […]

Investing in forex or stocks requires the careful management of trades and accounts and often involves significant amounts of capital. That’s why many people turn to financial advisors to help them navigate the difficult decisions and daily challenges that are common in investment. Personalised Plans The benefits of using a financial advisor are wide-ranging. First […]

It’s not uncommon for businesses to have periods of financial trouble. Most business owners will have gone through tough periods and this can vary from small cash flow issues up to full-scale crises, and it’s how we deal with these that can be key to how we get out of them. Here we offer up […]

The rise of online betting in the 21st century has helped keep the UK betting market reasonably healthy. The gauntlet thrown down from online operators like Bet365 and Betfair raised the bar for the high street bookmakers like Ladbrokes and William Hill, encouraging them to come up with their own slick betting apps, websites and […]

If you are unsure about the impact of property development finance on your development projects, this article is for you. What Is Property Development Finance? Property development finance is the large-scale funding of property projects such as office block construction, new residential housing projects, or the conversion of an existing building into individual residential units. […]

Starting a business is a big decision. Although it’s becoming easier for entrepreneurs to get started in the world of business today, thanks to the arrival of online selling, that doesn’t mean that anyone can become a successful business owner overnight. You’ll need a solid strategy for what you’re going to sell, a good idea […]

In a world where trading has become quite a common way of making money, social trading has also earned its spot in the equation. But what exactly is social trading? Where does it take place? How do you actually use it to start making a profit from it? Every important detail that you should know […]

Worried about your cash situation for 2020? You’re not alone. The truth is that while most of us desperately want to spend less and save more money, finding a reliable way to keep our financial situation under wraps isn’t easy. Every year, it seems like the prices of the essentials that we rely on go […]

There are some people in this world that seem to get rich by accident. They have huge amounts of money left to them by a member of family in a will, or they’re born into cash from day one. There are even a lucky few out there who win their way to the top. However, […]

Distributed ledger systems, such as blockchain technology, are still in their infancy when it comes to their real-world applications. However, industry experts like Phillip Nunn have been advocates of their potential for transformation for years, especially in the business world. But how exactly are distributed ledger system already being used to shape the future of […]

Are you tired of chasing your customers/clients, and they are still not showing any chance of paying back the debt they owe you? Then, maybe, this is the time to pursue legal action against them. Taking the money from someone with a false promise of paying them back in the future is illegal. You can […]

Running a company is no easy task. Even the mundane everyday tasks can become difficult to handle, let alone managing finances. Making financial mistakes or running out of money can ruin your business entirely. Naturally, the best way to prevent such disasters is by developing a solid contingency plan. Having a plan that’s based on […]

What is crowdfunding and why is it a good resource to use to start your small business? Crowdfunding is a great resource to get your small business up and running. Aside from raising money for your business, crowdfunding provides a great way of not only promoting your product and/or service, but also building a network that […]

New research reveals that borrowers are paying through their noses – thousands of pounds to be precise. Why? Lenders teased new reduced interest rates but never offered them to the borrowers. In fact, some borrowers may be paying close to three times the teased rates advertised by several personal loan lenders. This is according to […]

All companies and businesses can expect to experience a level of debt at some point, whether it’s due to start-up costs or substantial investment for expansion. Having a large amount of debt, though, can lead to severe issues for a company, some of which can have long-lasting, potentially crippling consequences. It Halts Growth in Its […]

Considering roughly 80% of all startups will go under within a few years of operation liquidation is quite common. During the liquidation process a company is brought to an end. The company’s assets are then distributed to all applicable supplicants. There are also wholesale and retail liquidation companies that will buy merchandise that has been […]

Insolvency, for an individual or a company, is a case when the value of their assets is less than the money they owe, and they cannot pay their debts on time. In the case of insolvency, the entity that owes money is known as the debtor, whereas those who are owed money are known as […]

Put simply, payday loans are a type of short term loan you can take out for emergency expenses. When you don’t fully understand what they are, and the ins and outs of them, they can seem quite daunting. However, it is important to fully understand what they are and how they work so you can […]

Despite being one of the slowest industries to adopt advancements in technology, banking and finance industries have enjoyed consistent prominence. It may be the case that the roles which professionals in this sector play may be diminished. There are technologies and practices which are capable of loosening the grip of certain institutions in their roles […]

If you ask most people whether buying or leasing a car is the better idea, most will usually answer the former. But that probably wouldn’t be the case if you asked people who understand the caveat of owning a depreciating asset, or should I say liability, like a vehicle. The truth is that it isn’t […]

When it comes to online trading, there are many new terms to learn. That’s because the online world has changed everything when it comes to placing speculative trades: the days of having to go through a specific individual to access investments have gone, and now it’s the case that trading can be done from the […]

On May 21st & 22nd, a new edition of ICT Spring brought together more than 150 experts who shared their knowledge and discussed the latest FinTech and Digital trends. ICT Spring, a two-day event created in 2007 aims at facilitating the meeting of minds, encouraging emulation and networking with industry leaders, took place at the […]

Are you looking to make a big purchase soon? Move into a new place, or take out a new line of insurance? Your credit score will be called into question. A credit score is a numeric expression of your creditworthiness. It takes into consideration factors like how often you pay your bills, your track record […]

Applying for a mortgage may not be the most fun experience a person can have, but preparation really does pay off and simply avoiding these three basic mistakes will increase your chances of being accepted. Failing to Show That You Can Manage Your Money In the old days, it was possible to get a mortgage […]

Most traders in popular investment spaces rely on brokers in one way or another. Traditional investment avenues, such as over the phone or in person, tend to require a specific professional individual who can provide the service and buy the instrument on your behalf. The term “broker” also now refers to internet-based companies that offer […]

The Nextgen Payments Forum Cyprus, taking place on 04-05 April 2019 is the 6th consecutive Forum within the Global Payments Series. Set to address the online payment ecosystem, upcoming regulatory reform (PSD2) pushing for Open Banking, TPPS & Fintech/Traditional Banking collaboration, Cyber Security & Resilience and new AI & Data-driven innovations. The 6th Nextgen Payments […]

The way in which you gather money to start a small business will decide much about your small business. Whether you’re an owner or a co-owner determines the amount of control you have over the company, as well as its business structure. The size of the loan you had to take determines how far away […]

It is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to build and maintain customer loyalty in today’s highly competitive environment, both in the B2B and in the B2C spheres. One of the ways to increase productivity, as well as befriend clients, is the practice of traceability. In fact, it’s becoming a true trend across various industries. In […]

It is not hard to state that debt settlement is currently becoming an increasingly popular form of alternative to the field of bankruptcy as most of the increasing consumers can find them struggling for keeping up with the minimum type of credit card payments. It is hard to come across any shortage of advertisements, which […]

Blessed are those who can live debt free, a life that does not have to depend on occasional borrowing of money. Unfortunately, what happens in life is entirely different from what we wish, and it is tough for people to stay away from loans. Borrowing was mainly associated with businesses and commercial activities, but those […]

Payment Protection Insurance, more widely known as PPI, is the biggest mis-selling scandal UK consumers have ever seen. 64 million PPI policies were sold, but many people had them automatically added alongside loans, credit cards and mortgages. To date, the banks have paid over £32 billion to consumers reclaiming their mis-sold PPI. However, individuals will […]

Startups are the future of the world and millions of people today are trying to establish their own business because of this reason. However, being successful as a startup is a different matter, and many companies fail to be so because they are not organised about every aspect of the business. There is always a […]

Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst proposed new laws to Parliament last month, with the objective of protecting small businesses from unfair contracts with large companies that prevented them from raising crucial funds using invoice finance (factoring and invoice discounting). Since the financial crisis, growing businesses have faced a multitude of barriers to accessing traditional loans […]

Looking for a smart new investment to make? The housing market could be just what you need. There are many financial benefits to gain from investing in real estate, including the following. 1. Steady Income Smart real estate investments provide a steady stream of income that’s plenty to cover your expenses and earn a profit. […]

Title loans are an appealing method to get money fast when you have no credit. If you own a car (truck, motorcycle) and need some cash for unexpected expenses, you can solve your money problems with help from lenders. Basically, you secure your loan using your car title – which means you’re handing over the […]

Having a poor credit rating can have a significant impact on your personal well-being. For starters, it can make it virtually impossible for you to get a mortgage, and it means that you cannot have credit cards and overdrafts to fall back on a safety cushion if you encounter financial difficulty or unexpected costs arise. […]

College is an exciting part of life, but unfortunately, not everyone gets it paid for by mum and dad –and that’s why there are student loans. Having to get a student loan is not always the most ideal, but if you’ve exhausted all your options i.e., getting a scholarship, a grant, part-time job or going […]

The popularity of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) has been increasing rapidly in the recent years. The ETFs of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 list reached its highest performance peak of the year during the month of May. ETFs are a form of fund investment that trades in exchange stocks. These funds manage several […]

Running a business can get expensive, and covering these expenses can become problematic if you’re unprepared for them. From employee turnover to equipment repair to inventory loss due to theft, unforeseen expenditures can wreak havoc on a business’ budget. Here are six ways companies can soften these blows and respond to unexpected costs. 1. Anticipate […]

According to the Telegraph, Britons are among the world’s worst retirement savers. A report from 2013, backed by data from HSBC, found that whilst “the average retirement in the UK is expected to last 19 years… the average person’s retirement savings will last for just seven.” That’s a tremendous gap. And it’s indicative of an […]

Ah, so you’ve got halfway through the financial year and, without warning, your marketing budget has completely gone. Don’t worry – this happens to even the biggest businesses and those with seemingly bullet-proof marketing plans. Overspending on marketing is a worryingly easy thing to do – particularly in the digital age where there are so […]

Experts to gather in Luxembourg on May 15th & 16th to discuss the latest digital trends and innovations     Luxembourg, April 20th, 2017 – Next May 15th and 16th, more than 100 experts will share their knowledge and discuss the latest Digital, FinTech and Space trends during a new edition of ICT Spring. The […]

The only event to focus on the integration of digital capabilities with existing processes to enhance client engagement and reach new segments Wednesday 21st February-Thursday 22nd February 2018, London Voted by Business Insider as one of the world’s must attend Fintech events in 2017 Arena International is proud to announce that the second Digital Integration […]

Defining the Future of Retail Banking Thursday 1st March 2018, Singapore Retail Banker International Asia Trailblazer Summit and Awards is in its 9th year for 2018 and is being hosted by the renowned publication ‘Retail Banker International’ (RBI). RBI has, for the past 35 years, been the only global editorially independent retail banking briefing service. […]

Join 500 Startups for the 5th Annual PreMoney San Francisco 2017. For 500+ accredited & active investors only, PreMoney is a one-day conference about the most disruptive strategies, models, and technologies for the future of venture capital. Featuring the world’s most forward-thinking investors, PreMoney will provide attendees with insights and tactics for building successful, scalable […]

The financial sector is another industry where most of the business is conducted by men. Do not get me wrong, there is a significant percentage of women being employed by banks, but the major issue arises when we talk about senior positions in the financial sector. Being dominated for a long time by male directors […]

SMi Reports: Benelux Infrastructure Forum returns to Amsterdam on 22nd -23rd November 2017 to explore new financing mechanisms and alternative markets for future investments. Infrastructure developers, investors, financiers & government agencies from the Benelux region will meet at SMi Group’s 16th annual Benelux Infrastructure Forum taking place in London on 22nd -23rd November 2017 Benelux […]

Let’s start by reminding ourselves that over the long-term, there is no asset class that outperforms stocks. That being said, when it comes to stock investing, many individual investors do not perform so well. So much so that many financial professionals advise them to avoid pure and simple individual stocks and to stick with index […]

Trying to Defining the Next Decade How does a conference stay relevant while entering its 10th year? by Philip Low, Chairman of BroadGroup In 2007 when we hosted the first The Finance and Investment Forum event in Cass Business School in London the data centre and cloud industry was still, in a sense, in it’s […]

Why we brought Datacloud to Singapore The question of bringing this event to Singapore was never a question of “if” but rather a question of “when” by Philip Low, Chairman of BroadGroup Since establishing Datacloud Europe in 2004 the event has grown to be the defining premier event for leaders in the data centre and […]

  Blockchain Conference Abu Dhabi, the main FinTech event in the Middle East region, will be held on December 8 at Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi. This activity promises to be multinational, with representatives from 12 countries to share their views on the future of Blockchain technology. We are glad to announce that the conference agenda […]

  Developing good financial habits can take years to build, but if you do it successfully then the rewards are amazing. Once you have achieved success in getting your finances under control, it becomes easier to keep both you and your family away from the debt. The best part is that maintaining an impressive credit […]

  International Industry Leaders Address New Opportunities and Overcoming the Challenges on the Road Ahead at the Middle East Asset Management Forum 2016 The asset management industry in the Middle East is well placed for the next phase of progress and is ready to transform based on the demands of a changing global investment landscape. […]

  By bringing together the innovative minds of the fast growing start-up ecosystem and the vast banking world, the 2016 FinTech Conference for CEE is an exclusive platform for innovators in Financial Services across the CEE region. Phoenix will be held on June 9th & 10th, 2016 at Hotel NH Prague City in Prague, Czech […]

  New Momentum, New Opportunities for Growth Across the Continent Islamic finance is still at an early stage of development in Sub-Saharan Africa and the market share of Islamic banks is comparatively small. According to the IMF, about half of the region’s total population is still unbanked. Furthermore, the Sub-Saharan Africa Muslim population, currently at […]

                    If you’re in your twenties your personal finances could become overwhelming. When you are just beginning, learning to manage your money can be tricky. There is a lot to take in and a range of different millstones to work towards. But, how can you learn […]

  The Bank of England, which is responsible for maintaining monetary stability in the United Kingdom by adjusting its base interest rate in order to meet inflation targets, has kept the rate at a record low of 0.5% since the height of the global financial crisis in 2008. The markets had been expecting the United […]

The Truth Behind a Rise in Affordable Housing in England According to Theguardian.com, it seems that the housing situation in England has improved in favour of the middle class population. But is it really like that? In 2014-2015 66,000 of new houses were built, which are said to be affordable. That is a 55% rise […]

The British service sector slows down its growth in September to value last seen in 2.5 years. Financial data and survey firm Markit delivers troubling news from the service sector as last month it marked its lowest growth rate since April 2013. The purchasing manager’s index (PMI) for the headline sector fell closer to stagnation (50) […]

The UK’s economy The British Pound and the US Dollar have been sharing the strong currency status in the foreign exchange market for several months. The pound strongly raised in June, but it is not as positive for July. Presenting its draft budget, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (minister of economy), George Osborne, said […]

Data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that since financial crisis, bonuses will top £100bn by the end of financial year. The Robin Hood Tax campaign reveals alarming figures for the financial sector. Bonuses are out of control. By March, and since October 2007, Banks and insurers will have given £100bn in bonuses. Only […]

Recent numbers show that just a few support this idea, despite widespread frustration at excessive regulation. To the surprise of some, a recent poll among executive directors and chairmen at the UK’s 500 biggest companies has shown business leaders publicly backing Britain’s membership of the EU. They fear that the contrary situation would turn into […]

The UK treasury has revealed a new deal with major banks for fee-free basic bank accounts. These are aimed at helping thousands of people with poor credit history, who are often unable to open a regular current account. The UK deal is in place ahead of EU legislation set for 2016, when a  European directive […]

In 2014, countries are still paying off debt from World War One. The UK government has finally decided to pay off the last part of the nation’s First World War debt. The Chancellor has announced redemption of bonds, some of which stretch back to the eighteenth century. As well as war bonds, some of the […]

Workers in the UK face a financial shock in retirement, although Brits are still expected to receive decent pensions once they retire. The UK state pension is typically just a third of the average working income. In other countries the state pension varies from 60 to 100% of the average wage. Moreover, the UK has a […]