Contact

News & Insights

Comparison website ‘misleading’ savers into buying low rates

They compared four major comparison websites, as part of the investigation and found its rivals offered far more choices. Savers who took these inferior “best buys” could lose up to £500 a year in lost interest, according to the programme. 

This figure comprises interest that savers would forgo if they put £1,000 into an easy-access account, £10,000 into an Isa, £8,000 into a 3-year bond and £7,000 into a notice account according to the sites recommendations, compared with the best deals for each product. The savings section has now been removed from the website 

The first comparison site started in 2002, introducing the model whereby firms pay for their products to be included in online best-buy tables. These sites have since become household names, and are widely used to compare financial products such as car insurance and energy suppliers. 

Comparison websites typically have a commercial link with the products they advertises, for example the comparison website may receive a commission every time a user clicks through to a bank or building society’s product website. 

Investors are lulled into a false sense of security by expecting impartial information to be supplied for them to get the best deal.  Whilst quite often people are satisfied with the outcome, there is no ongoing support and advice after. This is where Blacktower can help you.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

European Union PEPPs to go Before Parliament

European Parliament, StrasbourgAccording to reports emanating from Bulgaria, expat pension choices may be about to become broader and more accessible with the likely introduction of the European Union PEPP.

PEPPs – Pan European Pension Products – are understood to be at the draft stage, with regulations set to be examined by European Parliament for possible approval.

The development of PEPPs has come about as a result of a perceived need to give people greater choice when it comes to planning their retirement pensions, particularly given that there is not equality of options for retirement savers across the continent. It may also help address the fact that, according to the EU, only 20% of workers between the ages of 25 and 59 make regular pension contributions.

Read More

Spain’s growing economy is good news for jobseekers

You are hired!In the first quarter of 2017, Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD) grew by 0.8 per cent, according to preliminary figures from the Spanish Statistical Institute (INE), which was marginally higher than the previous three months’ growth of 0.7 per cent.

The was a larger expansion than many had predicted, causing the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, to update the country’s economic growth forecast for 2017 from 2.5 per cent to 2.7 per cent.

“Recent data for the first quarter of the year, as well as national and international forecasts, have pushed us to revise our growth forecast,” the Prime Minister said.

Read More

Select your country

Please select your country of residence so we can provide you with the most relevant information: