Articles by Deborah Benn
Is your company ahead of the game?
Gold Standard Awards now open for entries
Rate your international product provider
Professional Adviser International Fund & Product Awards 2014
Sustainable Investment Awards 2014 Open for Entries
Investment Week Sustainable Investment Awards set to highlight the broad range of ways investors can take advantage of the growing opportunities on offer.
Budget pension changes pose tax traps for expats
UK expats are being urged to consider potential tax traps following the Chancellors radical announcement to give savers in UK defined contribution (DC) pension total freedom on how they access their pension pots.
Fund Services Awards now open
Submission deadline 30th May 2014
Social Investment makes an impact
Add your vote on social investing
Nominations open for Best Fund Service Centre
Nominations are now being accepted for Best Fund Service Centre.
Getting ready for Isle of Man RDR
Claire Whitelegg, Deputy Director Funds and Investment Services - Supervision Division, Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission explains the new standard for Isle of Man Financial Advisers
HMRC defeat heralds tighter rules for overseas pension transfers
The recent defeat by HMRC to levy a 55% tax on investors in a delisted Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) is likely to see a further tightening up on overseas pension transfer rules.
Lack of progress on PRIPs causing concern
The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) says recent developments are in danger of scuppering proposals which aim to increase investor protection of Packaged Retail Investment Products (PRIPs).
Four new low cost Vanguard ETFs listed
Vanguard Asset Management has listed four new Irish-domiciled ETFs on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Confusion continues for Spanish home owners
Reform of the Spanish Tenancy Act, commonly known as 'LAU' which is now in force across the whole of Spain has done little to clear up uncertainty.
Latest international appointments
Pioneer appoints in Dublin, Lyxor and State Street Global create new roles and Mirabaud expands global high yield bond team.
International Award Winners Announced
Results released for the Professional Adviser International Fund & Product Awards 2013
Vanguard backs Dutch ban on commission payments
The fund management group says Dutch ban on commission payments will improve cost transparency, competition and product access and quality.
Guernsey ahead of schedule on AIFMD rules
Amendment of Guernsey Financial Services Commission's (GFSC) domestic rules and the provision of guidance means that Guernsey is well advanced in being able to continue to offer access to EU markets in view of Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive...
Conflicting regulatory regimes a key concern
Wealth managers in Hong Kong and Singapore put conflicting regulatory regimes high on the list of concerns when it comes to managing client data.
deVere Group develops global e-advice system
International financial planning firm, the deVere Group, is to launch new advice technology that will be implemented in its offices worldwide.
Standard Life strengthens European business team
Several new appointments have been made to strengthen the European business team of Standard Life Investments. Dirk Tiemann will be based in Frankfurt as the new investment director for semi-institutional (wholesale) sales in Germany and Austria.
More countries sign up to international tax co-operation
Nine more countries have signed the OECD's Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. Plus 9 others have commited to signing or have ratified the Convention.
Investor confidence drives record inflows for Ucits
Ucits have enjoyed a surge in demand in the first quarter of 2013, according to the latest statistics from the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA).
ETF targets structural shift in US energy market
Source launches first US energy ETF offering diversified exposure to Master Limited Parternships (MLPs) to European investors.
Ashburton looks to Africa with first UCITS fund
The Luxembourg-domiciled Africa Equity Opportunities Fund to be led by Paul Clark.
Is transfer out of a final salary scheme ever advisable?
Final salary, or defined benefit schemes, are considered the cream of the pensions crop, but is there ever a case for advisers to consider transferring international clients out? Deborah Benn talks to Paul Stanfield, chief executive of the Federation...
International movers and shakers
Appointments in the Middle East and Europe as well as a lifetime achievement award for Isle of Man stockbroker.
Abu Dhabi plans new financial free zone
Abu Dhabi has announced plans to set up a financial free zone on Al Maryah Island, which could rival Dubai's financial centre.
'John Doe' summons continues to widen reach of IRS
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has turned its sights on the Caribbean as part of its commitment to global enforcement in order to stop the use of foreign bank accounts to evade US taxes.
New Luxembourg UCITS for RWC
Active investment manager, RWC, plans to launch a Luxembourg UCITS long only unconstrained global equity fund.
New approach to smart beta investing
The EDHEC-Risk Institute has devised what it describes as a new and free approach to smart beta investing.
Guernsey working on gateway to China
Guernsey plans to provide a financial services gateway through which structures, including funds, can be established for investing out of and into China.
International appointments and launches
State Street and Source strengthen propositions plus a new French investment solutions launch.
Guernsey see potential for expansion in Far East
Guernsey hopes that its latest Double Taxation Arrangement (DTA) with Hong Kong will lead to significant potential for expanding financial services business between the two jurisdictions.
Barings sees value in MENA region
Many economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are enjoying healthy rates of growth at a premium to developed or even emerging neighbours, according to Baring Asset Management.
Ashmore widens access to Turkey and Brasil
Emerging market specialist, Ashmore, has now listed its Turkish Debt and Brasil Equity Funds as Luxembourg SICAVs.
Rate your offshore provider
This year's Professional Adviser International Fund & Product Awards are looking for the views of international financial advisers on their offshore providers.
Cayman fund to focus on active ownership
Active investment specialists RWC says the current economic environment for its new Cayman-domiciled European Focus Fund provides the perfect backdrop to work with stakeholders to achieve genuine alpha creation.
Offshore company news
Isle of Man's Duncan Lawrie makes key appointment and Nedbank Private Wealth continues to grow.
Royal Skandia goes for gold
Royal Skandia has added two precious metals funds to its unit-linked fund range in the Isle of Man.
Trust solution for Indian nationals
Guernsey-based trust company Nerine, has launched a trust solution for Indian nationals.
Offshore centres make good progress
Offshore centres continue to progress according to the latest Global Finance Centre Index (GFCI) 13 by research group, Long Finance.
Greater profit margins forecast for European fund platforms
Despite the anticipated cost of regulation, 25% of fund platforms anticipate greater profit margins in 2013, according to research undertaken on behalf of the Fund Platform Group (FPG).
Are Cyprus' days numbered as tax favourable centre?
The EU bail out conditions could have a detrimental effect on Cyprus' tax centre status, according to accountants, Baker Tilly.
Latest international appointments
Standard Bank and Calastone appoint and expand
Search on for best international firms
The Professional Adviser International Fund and Product Awards are currently in the process of accepting entries from firms active in the international financial services sector. The awards are in recognition of providers striving to meet cross-border...
Jersey opts for automatic information exchange with UK
Jersey has announced a FATCA style agreement with the UK consistent with those agreed with the Isle of Man and Guernsey.
Clements Worldwide launches in Dubai
The new dedicated Middle East & North Africa (MENA) presence will offer speciality insurance products giving customised solutions against the growing risks in the region.
British expats angry over Cyprus bank levy
Panicked British expats in Cyprus are desperately trying to withdraw their cash from ATMs after being hit by the news that the government is to implement a bank savings levy as part of the £9bn EU bailout agreed last week.
Guernsey latest centre to sign agreement with UK
More financial centres are believed to be on the verge of signing an exchange of information agreement with the UK. Guernsey is the latest to announce it's intention to finalise a draft agreement on a proposed tax package with the UK which comprises an...