Should you invest in P2P lending through your ISA? February 8, 2021 Cash and stocks and shares aren’t the only choices when it comes to using your ISA allowance. You can also back British business and individuals through peer-to-peer lending using an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA). An IFISA lets investors earn interest from peer-to-peer loans tax-free. You can use part of your £20,000 ISA allowance but can [...]
15 socially responsible investing ideas for your ISA February 8, 2021 Sustainable investment funds have exploded in popularity in the last few years, now holding more than $1 trillion of investors’ cash as the ‘Blue Planet effect’ made people rethink the impact of their choices on the planet. These funds have also proven themselves against their rivals – over the last 15 years, ethical funds have [...]
Vaccines, central banks and a value revival: What’s driving investment decisions in 2021? February 8, 2021 In 2020, there was only one story in town: the coronavirus crisis, and newsflow about the pandemic was the biggest driver of stock markets. With macroeconomic news affecting investments more than ever before, what are the key issues that will shape the experts’ investment decisions this year, and what could it mean for your investment [...]
What are VCTs and EIS? A quick guide February 8, 2021 For investors willing to take a chance on smaller and less well-established companies, venture capital trusts (VCTs) and enterprise investment schemes (EIS) offer the opportunity to support up-and-coming businesses. EIS and VCTs can complement other long-term investments like ISAs and pensions, and can be used as an overspill for extra cash once those annual allowances [...]
Calls to ‘send Philip Green the bill,’ as pension lifeboat fund begins Topshop assessment February 4, 2021 There have been fresh calls for the government to step in and demand retail tycoon Philip Green to plug Arcadia’s pension deficit, as the pensions lifeboat fund begins assessing the scheme. Earlier this week online retailer Asos said it had bought Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands from Arcadia, which fell into administration in [...]
City watchdog to crack down on ‘buy now pay later’ firms February 1, 2021 The City watchdog is preparing to move in on so-called buy now pay later firms such as Klarna following a review of the unsecured credit market. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will this morning publish a report by interim chief executive Chris Woolard recommending that the sector be brought under the regulator’s remit, Sky News [...]
Pension funds will reap rewards from playing a part in the UK’s green drive January 28, 2021 In November, heads of state, climate experts and campaigners will come together in Glasgow for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the biggest summit ever hosted by the UK, to discuss, and commit to, ambitious climate targets and concrete steps to protect our planet. International collaboration is essential, but the success of global action will comprise the [...]
Experian reports ‘better-than-expected’ quarter as revenue grows January 19, 2021 Credit scoring giant Experian (EXPN) reported a better-than-expected third quarter after a strong performance by its North America division. Total revenue at constant exchange rates grew 10 per cent in the three months to the end of December. Experian’s North America and Latin America divisions grew 11 and 16 per cent respectively, but the UK [...]
Data-hungry fintech firms urge FCA to ‘break’ banks this year January 2, 2021 A coalition of London startups is calling on the Financial Conduct Authority to end the dominance of banking institutions over the use of consumer data this year. The firms argue it would increase competition in the savings, credit, mortgages and pensions markets. The Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec), an advocacy group that represent a [...]
Exclusive: PensionBee accelerate IPO plans after lockdown growth December 26, 2020 PensionBee boss Romi Savova has said her firm will accelerate its plans for London IPO after Brits increasingly turned online for financial advice during 2020. “There is an evident trend of people using the additional time during lockdown as an opportunity to review their finances and look for ways to further their money,” the founder [...]