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Mine was consumed, how about yours?

Do What?

This week it was announced that Barclays Banks across Europe have decided that unless a customer has at least £100,000 in their account they will be asked to close it.  My thoughts are this:

• How disgusting to get you on board initially and then change the criteria so that you must leave. What a cheek and what an inconvenience !

• Who would put such a large amount of cash with one institution with such a patchy reputation, anyway?

BAD

This week I have taken on an 80 year old client who had an investment in a Spanish bank and they were told that they could release their invested funds without a charge. Not only were they investing 50% equities for a very cautious client (this is far too volatile), but that were charging Euro 3K in various forms to release it on just a Sterling 20,000 investment.  To be fair, the name of the bank does have the word “bad” in it.  The Clients are now safely under Blacktower’s wing.

by Dave Diggle, International Financial Adviser Costa Blanca

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

UK basic state pension changes

by Keith Littlewood, International Financial Adviser Costa Blanca

A brand new state pension was ushered in on 6 April 2016 as a result of a massive shake-up. The new payout has been designed to make the whole process easier to understand, although it’s still far from simple.

The old system was in two parts, a basic state pension of £119.30 plus an additional pension, if applicable, with 30 years NI contributions required to get the maximum amount.  Under the new system there is a flat rate payment of £155.65 plus any protected payment for which you will need to have 35 years NI contributions to get the maximum amount.  There are also a minimum of 10 years in the NI system required to get anything at all. 

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End to 15-year-rule for expats

Great news for the clients of expat financial services: the government has announced proposals to abolish the 15-year time limit on the right of expats to participate in UK general elections.

The policy statement, which was published as part of document entitled “A democracy that works for everyone: British citizens overseas”, details the government’s idea of ensuring rigorous checks on the identities of expats so that they can register to vote without suspicion of fraud.

Furthermore, cost analysis performed by the government predicts that ending the 15-year rule and implementing an expat voting registration scheme will actually cost only a six-figure sum; far less than the millions of pounds some experts have previously claimed it would require.

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