NEWS

The world’s first “behavioural bank” launched in South Africa four years ago, and it offers some interesting insights into how to encourage positive financial behaviours, including some similarities with financial planning.

The end of the year is the perfect time to tick off some of the financial tasks you might have been putting off. Completing these 10 jobs could help you start 2025 feeling confident about your finances.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' 2024 Autumn Budget introduces significant tax and policy changes aimed at stabilising the economy, including a rise in employer National Insurance contributions and reforms to Capital Gains and Inheritance Taxes.

Research suggests that your childhood may have a huge impact on your money mindset as an adult. Indeed, financial habits could be formed by the time you’re seven. While it can be difficult to change potentially harmful habits, it’s not impossible.

A chance to glimpse into the future could help you make better financial decisions that support your long-term goals. The good news is you don’t need a DeLorean to 'time travel', a financial plan could help you see the potential outcome of your decisions too.

When you think about what you want your future to look like, it’s probably the experiences that come to mind, rather than wealth. So, putting your happiness at the centre of your financial plan could help you achieve the lifestyle you want.

The amount HMRC collected through Inheritance Tax hit a record high in 2023/24. If your estate could be liable for the tax, taking out life insurance may provide your family with a useful way to pay the bill.

Recent data showed that identity theft is the most common way for criminals to target your finances. In light of this, read how to protect your identity from scammers.

The majority of bank and fund managers believe climate change will impact investments in the next five years. It’s something more institutional investors are considering, and you might want to review how it could affect your portfolio’s performance too.

Financial protection could provide essential cover for your children. A payout might mean you’re able to take time off work if your child becomes seriously ill without worrying about your outgoings. Read about why cover for children is something that could provide parents with security.

The UK goes to the polls on 4 July with the economy a key battleground. Here’s what the 2024 general election could mean for your finances.

As a business owner, you might want to extract profits from your business to support your current lifestyle and your long-term goals. Read this article to discover the three main routes and the potential tax implications you may need to factor into your decision.

You might want to take a tax-free lump sum from your pension to kickstart retirement plans. However, you should be aware that the rules have changed, and you might want to consider the long-term effect it could have on your finances. Find out more here.

The amount of profit you can make before Capital Gains Tax (CGT) could be due has fallen to just £3,000 in 2024/25. It could lead to some people facing an unexpected bill. Find out if you need to consider CGT and how you might mitigate a bill.

You may want to support loved ones by gifting assets during your lifetime, rather than leaving them an inheritance. A living legacy could be a useful way to help your family reach their goals, but there are some important drawbacks to consider too.

If you’re planning your retirement, one of the first questions you might want to consider is: how will you retire? A phased approach could help you strike a work-life balance that suits you and might offer other benefits too.

The chancellor has delivered the government’s Spring Budget. Here’s a useful summary of the key measures Jeremy Hunt announced in his statement.

If you want to know how the 2024 Spring Budget affects you, here are all the winners and losers from the chancellor’s latest fiscal announcement.

In 2023/24, your pension Annual Allowance is up to £60,000 compared to £40,000 in the previous tax year. If you haven’t reviewed whether it could be worthwhile to increase your contributions following the rise, read this article to discover why it could be financially savvy.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled four new investment labels that could guide investors who are interested in sustainable opportunities. Amid worries about greenwashing, it could provide some much-needed clarity.

The last few years have seen volatile investment markets due to the pandemic, lockdowns, and fears that high inflation could lead to economic recessions. Looming general elections could mean investors continue to experience ups and downs throughout 2024.

The majority of people say financial security is their biggest retirement dream. With so many other goals dependent on money, it’s not surprising. Yet, research suggests reality could fall short for some retirees.

Pension reforms mean you could save more into your pension tax-efficiently. The change has spurred some high earners to return to work or consider working for longer. Find out why you might want to review your retirement plan here.

Critical illness has helped provide financial security when people face a serious illness for 40 years. It could create a financial safety net and peace of mind for you too.

Figures suggest more people are gifting assets to loved ones to reduce a potential Inheritance Tax bill. However, while it might seem like a simple solution, there are factors you may want to consider first.

It might not be the most romantic task, but if you're getting married, reviewing your will is an essential step. Read on to find out why.

In his speech, Hunt said the plan for the British economy was working as the UK avoided a previously forecast recession this year. However, he cautiously added that the “work is not done” as he set out 110 measures to “reduce debt, cut taxes, and reward work”. Here are the key points of the Autumn Statement, and what they might mean for you.

Do you want your investments to have a positive effect on the world and society? Allocating some of your wealth to “impact investing” could be right for you. Read on to find out what impact investing is and what you need to consider first.

Figures suggest the average nursing care home costs more than £60,000 a year. If it’s not something you’ve considered as part of your financial plan, doing so could improve your comfort and security later in life.

The way an Inheritance Tax bill is calculated could mean some families have overpaid and they may not be aware they’re entitled to a rebate. Falling property prices could mean more people overpay in the future. Find out why here.

New to investing? Read about two key decisions you’ll need to make when investing – whether you should invest in shares or through a fund, and how to make your investments tax-efficient.

Research suggests millions of retirees could be overlooking annuities because they don’t understand how they work. There are pros and cons to weigh up, but they could provide financial security when you retire.

Working with a financial planner isn’t just about growing your wealth. There are other benefits too, from the peace of mind it provides to having more time to focus on what’s important to you.

Have you considered contributing to your child’s pension? It could be an excellent way to improve their financial security. Discover some of the benefits of boosting their retirement savings here.

If you’re saving for a long-term goal, you may be weighing up the pros and cons of pensions and ISAs. Tax relief is an essential part of the calculations and could mean your savings go much further.

It’s estimated that a third of families in the UK are blended, and it can make estate planning more complex. Discover some of the essential steps you should consider taking to create security for your loved ones.

Investing could help you grow your wealth. Find out here how investing works, why it could deliver real terms results, and the instances when an alternative may be more suitable.

A report suggests younger generations face “substantial risks” when planning for retirement. It’s more important than ever that workers engage with their pension and think about their future sooner.

Financial planning doesn’t have a lot in common with science fiction. However, cashflow modelling lets you explore your financial decisions and how they could lead to potentially different lives.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund will use its shareholder power to encourage companies to be more proactive when tackling ESG issues like climate change and human rights. Find out how active ownership works here.

Half of people in the UK say pension information is “overwhelming”. Working with a financial planner could give you confidence about your retirement and a clear plan to follow. Here are four reasons why working with a professional could be useful.

The value of your estate could mean it’s liable for Inheritance Tax when you pass away. Discover if your family could be left with a bill and how estate planning could mitigate it.

The new tax year has only just started but using your allowances now or setting out a plan for the next 12 months could help you make the most of them.

The collapse of a major US bank sparked fresh fears of another global banking crisis in March. Markets around the world have been volatile as concerns over persistent inflation remain – here are the key factors that affected the global economy in March 2023.

If you want to know how the spring Budget affects you, here are all the winners and losers from the chancellor’s latest fiscal announcement.

The chancellor has delivered the government’s spring Budget. Read about Jeremy Hunt’s statement in this comprehensive Budget news update.

A survey suggests that when you’re planning for retirement, focusing on experiences could be the key to happiness. However, many retirees also say their biggest barrier to the retirement lifestyle they want is money.

While your tax liability may not increase immediately, so-called “stealth taxes” could affect your wealth over the long term. Discover what this means and why it could affect you here.

Around a third of workers nearing retirement are choosing to phase into their next chapter, rather than quit work completely. This phased approach could help you create the work-life balance you want, but you need to consider how you’ll manage your finances too.

Your pension Annual Allowance will reset at the end of the current tax year. Boosting your pension contributions before the deadline could make sense for you, so find out why here.

While it can be tempting to actively monitor your investments and try to time the market, it could affect your portfolio’s performance. Find out why a hands-off approach could make sense here.

Have you ever considered estate planning? If it’s a task you’ve been putting off, discover five reasons you should make it a priority here.

If you’ve ever been tempted to invest because a friend has, or focused on a single piece of information, bias may have played a role. Find out more here.

Creating a financial plan with your partner can make sense financially and increase the likelihood of reaching your goals. Find out more

From the emergency budget in the UK to growing recession worries in the eurozone, investors are still facing volatility and uncertainty.

The Income Tax thresholds are now frozen until 2026, and it means 1 in 5 could pay the higher rate by 2024/25. Here’s how you could reduce your liability.

Traditionally, around 9 in 10 people saving into a pension have left their contributions in the default fund.

People often overlook many important things when writing their will. Read about five things you should consider from choosing guardians to your pets.

Want to retire abroad? Spain remains top destination for Brits but are you fully aware of the financial considerations to address first? Read on to find out more

Thinking about retirement income? Inheritance tax planning might show you that it's better to save your pension and deplete other assets first. Find out more

Do you want to create a nest egg for your child? These five tips can help you stay on track as the cost of living rises and get the most out of your money.

Investment risk isn't always a bad thing and being too cautious can be more damaging. Find out what you need to consider when building your investment portfolio.

Bias can affect financial decisions and how you think about money. Understanding behavioural finance can help you make better decisions. Find out why bias could affect you here.

ESG investing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing returns. It is possible to balance your values with financial goals. Find out more here.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February shocked the world, creating a cascade of events that impacted the markets. Equity markets fell, while bond yields rose.

If you haven’t considered your care plan, doing so can help you create long-term security and give you confidence about the future. Find out more here.

Our partners, Hamon Investment Group take a look at what's been happening in the Asian investment markets.

Market volatility caused by the pandemic and war in Ukraine has been challenging for investors but long term performance is more important to focus on.

When you look forward to the year ahead, what do you consider to be the biggest risks to your personal finances?

If you’re nearing retirement, you may be starting to think about planning the next stage of your life. What steps spring to mind?

As energy prices are rising, more households are looking at the steps they can take to improve their home’s energy efficiency. Find out how you can assess which measures will offer the greatest benefits here.

1 in 5 employees believe their employer isn’t doing enough to support their financial wellbeing, and research suggests it’s costing UK businesses £6.2 billion a year. There may be some steps business owners can take to improve.

As inflation rises, you may be worried about what it means for your retirement. Delaying your plans by a few years could mean you have a larger income and help you maintain your standard of living.

Before you increase pension withdrawals to meet the demands of the cost of living crisis, we look at three key things you need to consider first.

If you’ve been tempted to make changes to your investments during periods of volatility, these three pieces of data demonstrate why you shouldn’t

ESG investing means considering environmental, social, and governance factors when investing, as well as the usual factors such as risk and how an investment fits into your portfolio.

The CDO has issued the new standard operating procedures, which provides a framework for the safe provision of dentistry, but it's important not to forget the other items that need to be ticked off when reopening the practice, including insurances.

Kwasi Kwarteng's 'mini-budget' hopes to drive economic growth. From a drop in stamp duty to reduced income tax, find out what it means for you

ESG investments are facing criticism over “greenwashing”. While it could harm perceptions, it could also give the sector a push to make ESG issues and criteria more transparent.

The State Pension is an important part of your retirement income. If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, you may not receive the full amount. Find out why and what you can do to fill in the gaps here.

Jeremy Hunt delivered the Government’s Autumn Statement. We look at the key points and what they mean for you.

A will is the only way for your wishes to be legally enforceable when you pass away. However, it’s becoming more common for families to dispute wills. So, what can you do to ensure your will is upheld?

Individuals aged between 40 and 60 – dubbed “midlifers” – are facing time and financial pressures as they try to support their families.