Financial blog and news from Chester financial adviser Cambrian Associates http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:46:13 +0000 http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/a-bumper-year-for-shares Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 At 9.30am on Wednesday 1st February 2012 the FTSE closed at 5,744 - a rise of 3.1% on the year so far. http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/a-bumper-year-for-shares http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/caveat-emptor-let-the-buyer-beware- Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 I knew my O-level Latin would stand me in good stead at some time! As I toil in the gym, 5 days a week, on my rehabilitation programme, I relieve the boredom by watching Sky Sports.  The most common advertisement is for so-called "Payday Loans".  I was shocked to see interest rates of 1,734% and over 5,000% were being charged in two cases. http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/caveat-emptor-let-the-buyer-beware- http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/roger-s-accident-and-our-fundraising-for-the-spinal-injuries-trust Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 As some of our clients will already know, on February 1st 2011, Cambrian Associates' MD Roger Taylor was involved in accident near his home in Lower Kinnerton. Roger was knocked off his pushbike and suffered a broken back, femur and wrist, amongst other injuries. http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/roger-s-accident-and-our-fundraising-for-the-spinal-injuries-trust http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/gad-reduction-what-does-it-mean-for-you- Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000 Under the old government GAD rules you could take an income of 20 per cent greater than would be available through lifetime annuity, through the purchase of either a fixed term annuity or placing your pension into pension draw down. But, from April, the GAD limit will be the same as the annuity limit... http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/gad-reduction-what-does-it-mean-for-you- http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/the-truth-about-premium-bonds Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000 About half of UK adults own Premium Bonds. They appeal because of their tax free status and the slim possibility of winning the £1m prize. But recent pieces in The Times and on the well-respected Money Saving Expert have drawn attention to the fact they are, in fact, a bit of a rip-off. http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/the-truth-about-premium-bonds http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/comprehensvie-spending-review Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000 The Coalition's handling of the comprehensive spending review and approach to reducing the deficit got a glowing review from the IMF... http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/comprehensvie-spending-review http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/wrap-manages-40m-worth-of-funds Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000 We now have £40m worth of funds under management on our bespoke Wrap system, which allows clients to manage their investments online... http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/wrap-manages-40m-worth-of-funds http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/compulsory-annuities-to-be-scrapped Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000 The new coalition government has announced that they are  “to end the rules requiring compulsory annuitisation at 75″ - what does this mean for you? http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/compulsory-annuities-to-be-scrapped http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/movers-and-shakers-at-cambrian-associates Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000 We've made several new appointments to our team this August, and are also recruiting extra personnel as well as celebrating a number of our advisers passing exams in their aim to achieve chartered status. http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/movers-and-shakers-at-cambrian-associates http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/enhance-your-pension-with-ni-credits Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000 It is now possible, even for retired people, to enhance their pensions by buying NI credits... http://www.cambrian-associates.co.uk/cambrian-update/enhance-your-pension-with-ni-credits