After successive Bank Rate rises, the cost of a mortgage hit a 15-year high in July and will likely stay high for much of the next year. In unpredictable and unsettling times, here are some ways for mortgage holders to keep a cool head. Help is available If you’re worried about your mortgage payments, in […]
Author archives: natalie
Mortgage Charter provides relief
A helping hand for mortgage holders was announced at the start of August by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt with a view to providing support to residential mortgage customers suffering from rising interest rates. Three-part plan The Mortgage Charter has three key elements: More flexible Further flexibility relates to customers approaching the end of a fixed-rate deal. […]
Your long-term financial goals
After more than a decade of putting up with paltry savings rates, the sharp increase in rates over the past two years has certainly brought considerable cheer to savers. However, while the rise is certainly welcome, it is important savers do not overly rely on cash savings but carry on investing if they are to […]
Lifetime Allowance removal provides pension boost
Several months have passed since the Spring Budget, which, although not necessarily packed with good news stories, held one announcement that certainly did bring considerable cheer to higher rate taxpayers. A recent survey has revealed the dramatic impact that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to scrap the pension Lifetime Allowance (LTA) is having on people’s retirement […]
Older homeowners staying put
First home, family home… then what? Maybe nothing, new research suggests1, with older homeowners standing their ground and not considering downsizing. Indeed, seven in 10 respondents said that they are not looking to downsize, in a survey of 1,000 homeowners. Moreover, although 29% do plan to downsize within the next five years, only 13% of […]
FTSE 350 female board representation – a defining moment
Three years ahead of schedule, FTSE 350 companies have met the target of achieving 40% female board representation, according to the latest FTSE Women Leaders Review1. The report highlights ‘steady progress’ in getting women leaders to the ‘top table of business in the UK,’ with Nimesh Patel and Penny James, co-chairs of the Review describing […]
The impact of age on life insurance?
Age is a key factor in determining cost when you take out life insurance. Generally, the younger you are when you purchase a policy, the less expensive your regular premiums will be, because younger people are statistically less likely to die than older people, so the risk to the insurer is lower. Assessing the risks […]
Joint mortgages for FTBs
Traditionally, when thinking about joint mortgages, most people picture a married couple. Increasingly, however, friends or siblings are taking out joint mortgages when they buy their first home together. Stronger together A joint mortgage is the most popular way for first-time buyers (FTBs) to fund their home purchase, with more than six in ten opting […]
Investment myths
To many, the world of investing is shrouded in mystery; the realm of financial whizz-kids and the super-rich. In reality, however, this is not the case and, once myth is separated from reality, it should be clear that investing is actually accessible to all. Can’t invest, won’t invest! Research1 has highlighted several reasons why people […]
Over 50s reconsidering life insurance
Continued high inflation is prompting over 50s to reconsider whether they really need their life insurance policies, research has suggested1, sparking fears of vulnerabilities. Cutting costs A survey of 1,000 people aged 50+ has shown that 22% of customers are thinking about cancelling their monthly payments as a result of the rising cost of living. […]