ECONOMIST ALTMANN “ASTONISHED” AT CREDIT CARD CHARGES HIGH.

DR ROS ALTMANN

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA

SAGA SOUNDBITE

May 6, 2011.

ECONOMIST ALTMANN “ASTONISHED” AT CREDIT CARD CHARGES HIGH.

Interest charged on credit cards has hit a 13-year high after a number of lenders increased their rates since the start of the year.

Dr Ros Altmann, economist, former government adviser and Director-General of over-50s lifestyle organisation Saga, said:

'We’re astonished to see credit card interest rates being raised to new high levels even though the Bank of England has kept rates stable at record lows for over two years now. It appears that some credit card companies are charging outrageously high rates.  

“They are piling on the misery, charging yet higher interest rates and blaming customers for causing the higher rates, as they demand fair treatment. Saga Visa has always had a fair order of repayment - and our rates have remained low at 11.9 per cent over a third less than the average rates which now stand at 19.1 per cent according to Moneyfacts.” 

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.saga.co.uk

TOP ACCOLADE FOR NORTH-WEST FINANCIAL PLANNER.

HW FINANCIAL SERVICES

MANCHESTER AND PRESTON

PRESS RELEASE

January 17, 2011.

TOP ACCOLADE FOR NORTH-WEST FINANCIAL PLANNER.

Photo download here.

Ann-Marie Banks, a senior financial planner with HW Financial Services, part of UK top 20 chartered accountants Haines Watts, has attained a triple financial sector accolade.

Ann-Marie, 35, from Preston, and based in Manchester, has been appointed a certified and chartered member, and an Honorary Fellow of the CII – the Chartered Insurance Institute.

The CII is the premier professional organisation for those working in the insurance and financial services industry, and  is dedicated to promoting higher standards of competence and integrity through the provision of relevant qualifications for employees at all levels and across all sectors.

Ann-Marie’s three-way recognition is an unusually high standard of achievement, and means she is qualified well above any financial services sector requirements for operating as a financial planner.

“It was extremely hard work and involved intense study, but I suddenly find myself with the highest possible qualifications in my field,” said Ann-Marie, has responsibility for the financial planning teams in Manchester, Merseyside, Preston and Cumbria.

“In an era of enormous pressure on financial planners to deliver the best and most rounded possible advice for small business owners I can confidently state that I’m now pretty well positioned to address practically any financial planning challenge or issue facing owner-managers.”

Ann-Marie was born in South Africa, but grew up in Lancashire and is a former student of Brownedge St Mary’s, Bamber Bridge, and Runshaw College. Previous employers have included Scottish Widows, Tenon and Chartwell Financial. In 2010 the former Lancashire county netball player also qualified as a Premier League netball umpire, again, the highest level of achievement possible.

Haines Watts is a UK top 20 chartered accountancy firm specialising in the owner-managed sector, providing a broad range of services out of its 50 offices. The firm has 80 years experience and 30,000 clients.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.hwca.com

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/5265365689/in/set-72157624275784545/

NEW AGE PENSION SCHEMES – A SMALL BUSINESS LIFELINE SMALL BUSINESSES DON’T KNOW ABOUT

HW FINANCIAL SERVICES

MANCHESTER AND PRESTON

PRESS RELEASE

January 5, 2011.

NEW AGE PENSION SCHEMES – A SMALL BUSINESS LIFELINE SMALL BUSINESSES DON’T KNOW ABOUT.

Video.

Struggling North West small company owners may be sitting on a cash lifeline for their business – and not even realise it.

Ann-Marie Banks, a senior financial planner with HW Financial Services, part of UK top 20 chartered accountants Haines Watts, says business owners who have stayed abreast of pension developments are well aware that SSAS pensions - Small Self Administered Schemes, or company pensions – are designed to allow up to 50% of the pension value to be loaned back to the business.

“The pensions industry changed a great deal from April 2006, with lots of businesses taking out SIPPS – Self Invested Personal Pensions - which are still great vehicles to use, but for smaller owner-managed businesses there are other pensions vehicles such as SSAS – Small Self Administered Schemes, company pensions - schemes which are invested in same way as a SIPS is, but can still facilitate flexibility back to a biz when times might be difficult with regard to borrowing.

“Alternatively, these schemes can actually just provide a business with a lifeline for a short period while they get themselves back on track. SSAS schemes can generally lend up to 50% of the pension assets back to the company, so they’re not just about self-investment in, say, property, they can help the business to progress,” said Ann-Marie Banks, who is based in Manchester and Preston, and has responsibility for Merseyside and Cumbria clients. Video.

Haines Watts is a UK top 20 chartered accountancy firm specialising in the owner-managed sector, providing a broad range of services out of its 50 offices. The firm has 80 years experience and 30,000 clients.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

www.hwca.com

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations/5265365689/in/set-72157624275784545/