In Focus News & Insights

On many occasions, lay investors have a tendency to confuse banking and property revenues as useful gauges of the overall strength of the investment economy. But, however healthy (or unhealthy) these two sectors appear, this should not be allowed to cloud the investment opportunity available to you via your expat financial services manager.

This is why we should not be overly concerned that returns in banking investments currently sit below historical averages – what this potentially marks is simply the residual impact of the 2008 financial crisis and the fact that banking and the wider investment economy have evolved with the advent of new and disruptive players in the finance sector.

For example, a new piece of research by Accenture showed that in 2005 there were 24,000 firms operating in the worldwide banking industry; today this stands at around 15,000. But this alone cannot be seen as a true reflection of the current climate because during the same period we have witnessed the dawn of 600 FinTech firms, 1,900 payment institutions, 700 new banks, and 400 subsidiaries of existing banks – there has also been some consolidation in the area.

Being an expat has many potential benefits and opportunities, but residing abroad also brings with it certain complex financial considerations. In many ways these can be made all the more complicated if you also happen to have foreign husband or wife, particularly in regard to your expat pension planning.

Although in most situations having a foreign spouse is unlikely to affect their possible entitlement to your pension in the event of your death, there are many variables that you should consider as an essential part of your expat financial planning.

The Cayman Islands has a new governor following the announcement that Martyn Roper OBE, a career diplomat and corporate leadership veteran, has been appointed to the role. He takes over from Anwar Choudhury, who had recently faced a number of complaints regarding his conduct.

The move is largely thought to be positive step for financial management services in the Cayman Islands, as Roper has said he will make it a priority of his role to "listen and learn" from those around him.

Mr. Roper brings a wealth of experience to the job. He was most recently minister and deputy head of mission for the U.K. in Beijing, China, but has worked in other notable capacities, including as the UK Ambassador to Algeria, Deputy Head of Mission in Brasilia and, of particular interest to the financial management industry in the Cayman Islands, as First Secretary for Economics and Development with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

We are proud to announce that Blacktower's Group Managing Director, John Westwood, is featured on the International Adviser – IA100 list "The Industry's Most Influential".

His IA100 Bio cites John's influence in bringing Blacktower Financial Management Group to the forefront of industry areas relating to product design and distribution.

British expats abroad have taken heart from the announcement that the government has introduced a bill to replicate the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), meaning that expats should continue to receive healthcare abroad even in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

As it stands, EHIC entitles Britons to state health care when in an EU or EEA country (European Economic Area) for treatments that are "medically necessary" as well as those for pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, as long as a person has not travelled abroad with the specific intention of giving birth there, they are also entitled to routine maternity care.

Although the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill does not replace EHIC it clears a pathway to a fast-track bill that will "provide the powers that are needed" in the event of British citizens' healthcare rights being threatened by Brexit. It also means that, contrary to the fears of many expats, affording private medical insurance may not be an issue they will need to discuss with their expat financial services provider.

This month the two main pensions regulatory bodies, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR), announced that they have joined forces to improve the prospects of retirees and pension savers. Previously, the two have worked together in an attempt to protect savers from pension scams.

The fact that the two regulators are thinking big by developing a strategy for the next five to ten years is good news as it gives some time for objectives to be fully understood and reached, and the published strategy will hopefully lead to greater numbers of savers having sufficient income once they reach retirement.

Initially, the two regulators oversaw a comprehensive review of the consumer pensions experience – particularly regarding how and why savers make the decisions they do. The published strategy now seeks to encourage pension providers to increase value for money, with an enforcement of standards and principles amongst the pension industry a key component of this aim.

In my business, when I think about what’s important for clients, it´s about getting to the heart of the most important issues and understanding the most pressing concerns, be that now or in the future.

To do this, it’s important to ask the right questions, both of yourself and your financial adviser.

Here’s my list of important questions, there are lots more I am sure, but these are what I believe you should start with:

As the "will they, won't they" saga of Brexit rumbles on it is useful to look at some of the things expats can actually do to reaffirm their ties with the UK in the event that they plan to move back to Blighty at some point in the future.

The issue has taken on a new urgency for expats, particularly in regards to property, in light of the new surcharge that the government plans to introduce alongside stamp duty on second home and buy-to-let purchases in England.

Although Prime Minister Theresa May says that the surcharge is for "foreign buyers" and is being introduced with a view to assisting UK taxpayers buy a property – especially first-time buyers – it may have some unintended consequences.

This is because it is not just foreign buyers who are likely to find their pockets hit by the tax. Returning expats – who could well be a prominent demographic over the next few years – may also find themselves liable for the surcharge, potentially setting them back significantly on their way to reaching their wealth management objectives.