News & Insights

Effective wealth management is about many things but it can perhaps be boiled down to two essential elements: protection and (or) growth.

Whether you prefer to emphasise protection or growth will depend largely on your circumstances, goals, and attitude to risk. One part of this is determining whether you want your investments to create the security of income or the flexibility and reinvestment potential of a lump sum.

Investors are typically split around 50-50 on this question, which is why it is no surprise to learn of a recent Aegon survey of 1,300 investors which found that 58% preferred insurance plans to pay monthly income rather than a lump sum at maturity.

In an era where digital threats are evolving rapidly, safeguarding your online presence is paramount. Our essential cyber security tips offer comprehensive guidance to protect your personal and financial information from cyber threats, ensuring peace of mind in the digital world. Cyber Security Best Practices: Stay Safe Online Secure Your Data: Regularly back up critical […]

At time of writing, Brexit ‘negotiations’ are ongoing with a matter of weeks remaining before the UK’s exit from the European Union. All UK firms operating in the EU will be impacted and that includes those providing financial services also.

So how does this affect Cyprus residents and your relationship with financial services providers in the UK?

Assuming the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement by 29th March then UK financial advisers will be unable to service their clients who are resident in Cyprus and all other member states outwith the UK. This is because UK firms have previously been able to ‘passport’ their services across the EU. If there is no deal then such passports will effectively be torn up.

Having entered 2024, the UK’s pension landscape stands on the brink of significant transformation. The past year has been a watershed for pension policy, marked by groundbreaking reforms and unexpected policy shifts. UK pension changes for 2024 herald both opportunities and challenges for savers, making it crucial to stay informed and adapt strategies accordingly. Below, […]

The Cayman Islands or “Cayman” consists of three islands; Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.  They remained mostly uninhabited until the 17th century.  The earliest settlors consisted of pirates, refugees, “lost at sea” sailors and migrants from other neighboring islands.  In 1670, England gained control of the islands which remains a British Overseas Territory to this day.

The Cayman Islands has signalled its intention to invite greater Chinese investment opportunities following recent corporate events in Asia in which Cayman Finance CEO Jude Scott spoke about the potential for increasing collaboration.

While attending events in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, Scott, whose organisation is charged with protecting, promoting and developing the Cayman Islands' financial services industry "through cooperation and engagement with domestic and international political leaders, regulators, organisations and media", spoke of how The Cayman Islands could use their status in the wealth management industry to benefit Chinese investment.

In 2024, France will experience several financial and regulatory changes, impacting banking, property, and taxation. This overview delves into the upcoming shifts. The iconic Livret A bank account maintains its 3% interest rate for the entire year. More broadly, banking rules, property reporting requirements, and tax brackets are set to evolve. French Pensions and Benefits […]

We are thrilled to announce that Blacktower Financial Management has achieved remarkable success at the prestigious International Adviser Best Practice Adviser Awards. These accolades highlight our dedication to excellence in the financial advisory sector and underscore our position as a leading performer in the industry. Best Adviser Firm (Europe) Blacktower Financial Management has clinched the […]