Professional Adviser www.professionaladviser.com Market Movers: Israel-Hamas drives investors to safe haven assets <img alt="Market Movers: Israel-Hamas drives investors to safe haven assets" src="https://www.professionaladviser.com/api/v1/wps/05daaf1/9cb23db7-d841-4d16-9041-aa4ef4748cdd/27/iStock-1262967772-185x114.jpg" /> <p><!--summary start--> <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/api/v1/wps/05daaf1/9cb23db7-d841-4d16-9041-aa4ef4748cdd/27/iStock-1262967772-185x114.jpg https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/4053643/market-movers-blog https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/4053643/market-movers-blog https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/4053643/market-movers-blog Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:31:21 +0000 Democratising finance: Alternatives and the role of financial advisers <img alt="Democratising finance: Alternatives and the role of financial advisers" src="https://www.professionaladviser.com/api/v1/wps/7a0e9c8/181d49fc-5a02-4371-a72a-35134188f8b8/4/WOMACK-Jay-185x114.jpg" /> <p><!--summary start--> Technology, changes in regulation, and sophistication in the types of advice and portfolios available to investors are driving the democratisation of alternative investments. J. Womack explores the issues for advisers... <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/api/v1/wps/7a0e9c8/181d49fc-5a02-4371-a72a-35134188f8b8/4/WOMACK-Jay-185x114.jpg https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4124852/democratising-finance-alternatives-role-financial-advisers https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4124852/democratising-finance-alternatives-role-financial-advisers https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4124852/democratising-finance-alternatives-role-financial-advisers Wed, 13 Sep 2023 06:54:37 +0000 Ukraine crisis panel: Investment experts respond to key questions <img alt="Ukraine crisis panel: Investment experts respond to key questions" src="https://www.professionaladviser.com/api/v1/wps/09fae0f/dc819ea0-5f36-4658-b735-402a5703d11d/10/Ukraine-video-185x114.jpg" /> <p><!--summary start--> As we say at the start of this broadcast, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Ukraine and our thoughts are very much with the people there at this very frightening time. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/api/v1/wps/09fae0f/dc819ea0-5f36-4658-b735-402a5703d11d/10/Ukraine-video-185x114.jpg https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/4046316/ukraine-crisis-panel-investment-experts-respond-key-questions https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/4046316/ukraine-crisis-panel-investment-experts-respond-key-questions https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/4046316/ukraine-crisis-panel-investment-experts-respond-key-questions Thu, 10 Mar 2022 15:10:27 +0000 Andrew Aldridge: Vaccine roll out sees life science investment prospects shoot up <p><!--summary start--> Andrew Aldridge <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4028392/andrew-aldridge-vaccine-roll-life-science-investment-prospects-shoot https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4028392/andrew-aldridge-vaccine-roll-life-science-investment-prospects-shoot Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:56:47 +0000 Oliver Wallin: Five top tips for investing in alternatives <p><!--summary start--> As we approach a more difficult environment for traditional assets, writes Oliver Wallin alternative investments look set to prove an increasingly important asset class for long-term investors <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3069805/alternatives-reality https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3069805/alternatives-reality Fri, 1 Feb 2019 07:00:00 +0000 Paul Stallard: Why should advisers recommend peer-to-peer lending? <p><!--summary start--> Peer-to-peer lending is growing in popularity among borrowers and investors but where could financial advisers fit into the picture? Paul Stallard has some thoughts on the matter <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3066578/paul-stallard-advisers-recommend-peer-peer-lending https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3066578/paul-stallard-advisers-recommend-peer-peer-lending Mon, 19 Nov 2018 06:00:00 +0000 Due diligence is the key to direct lending investment <p><!--summary start--> In its short existence, interest in the direct lending investment sector has come much more from consumers than advisers. David Beacham tells Cherry Reynard how Goji Investments is trying to change that <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/3066154/-diligence-key-direct-lending-investment https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/3066154/-diligence-key-direct-lending-investment Mon, 12 Nov 2018 08:39:47 +0000 Video: Alternative investments explained <p><!--summary start--> Partner Insight: Introducing the Architas education series for clients. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/sponsored/3064413/video-alternative-investments-explained https://www.professionaladviser.com/sponsored/3064413/video-alternative-investments-explained Wed, 17 Oct 2018 23:37:00 +0000 Marcus Hearn: Should advisers consider cryptocurrencies for clients? <p><!--summary start--> As the crypto market benefits from greater product innovation, stability and regulation, writes Marcus Hearn, digital currencies should start to play an increasingly influential role in the trading portfolios of tomorrow <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3036232/marcus-hearn-advisers-consider-cryptocurrencies-clients https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3036232/marcus-hearn-advisers-consider-cryptocurrencies-clients Fri, 20 Jul 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Report warns cryptocurrencies could bring the 'internet to a halt' <p><!--summary start--> The Bank for International Settlements has warned cryptocurrencies can suffer from manipulation, consume too much electricity and are too unstable ever to be used as a method of currency exchange in the economy. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3034342/report-warns-cryptocurrencies-bring-internet-halt https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3034342/report-warns-cryptocurrencies-bring-internet-halt Mon, 18 Jun 2018 15:00:00 +0000 Crypto crash will not impact financial markets - S&P Global Ratings <p><!--summary start--> Regulation and guidance needs to be implemented before cryptocurrencies can influence financial institutions, according to S&P Global Ratings. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3026924/crypto-crash-impact-financial-markets-global-ratings https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3026924/crypto-crash-impact-financial-markets-global-ratings Mon, 19 Feb 2018 13:17:33 +0000 World Bank chief compares cryptocurrencies to 'Ponzi schemes' <p><!--summary start--> Jim Yong Kim, head of the World Bank, has become the latest financial voice to question the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin by comparing them to "Ponzi schemes". <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3026258/world-bank-chief-compares-cryptocurrencies-ponzi-schemes https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3026258/world-bank-chief-compares-cryptocurrencies-ponzi-schemes Thu, 8 Feb 2018 09:26:42 +0000 Alternative assets used as 'a means to an end' - 7IM <p><!--summary start--> Holding alternative assets is "a means to an end" to compensate for when bonds are unable to deliver their traditional defensive qualities, 7IM CIO Ian Jensen Humphreys has said. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3026178/alternative-assets-means-7im https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3026178/alternative-assets-means-7im Wed, 7 Feb 2018 11:56:00 +0000 First Bitcoin futures trades trigger circuit breakers <p><!--summary start--> The first trading session of Bitcoin futures saw two temporary suspensions in a bid to dampen volatility, after prices surged 25%. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3022844/-bitcoin-futures-trades-trigger-circuit-breakers https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/3022844/-bitcoin-futures-trades-trigger-circuit-breakers Mon, 11 Dec 2017 18:27:10 +0000 Charles Laing: To what extent can bitcoin be regulated? <p><!--summary start--> Bitcoin's exploding price means legislators around the world can no longer ignore cryptocurrencies or their underlying assets - but to what degree can these actually be regulated. Dr Charles Laing takes a closer look <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3022843/charles-laing-extent-bitcoin-regulated https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/3022843/charles-laing-extent-bitcoin-regulated Mon, 11 Dec 2017 18:22:00 +0000 Blog: How can we shrink the advice gap? <p><!--summary start--> The advice gap has been a popular topic since the Retail Distribution Review, but hasn't this gap always existed? <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/2432958/blog-shrink-advice-gap https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/2432958/blog-shrink-advice-gap Mon, 2 Nov 2015 12:00:09 +0000 Adviser Carl Lamb celebrates win at Growth Investor Awards <p><!--summary start--> Chartered Financial Planner Carl Lamb is celebrating after being named Financial Adviser of the Year at the Growth Investor Awards 2015 in London on 22 October, on a big night also for Octopus Investments. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2431730/adviser-carl-lamb-celebrates-win-growth-investor-awards https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2431730/adviser-carl-lamb-celebrates-win-growth-investor-awards Fri, 23 Oct 2015 10:29:00 +0000 Advisers invited to attend Alternative Investment Summit <p><!--summary start--> An event highlighting the opportunities, challenges and risks for financial advisers and wealth managers accessing alternative investments returns to London later this year. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2419605/advisers-invited-alternative-investment-summit https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2419605/advisers-invited-alternative-investment-summit Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:12:00 +0000 Finalists for first ever Growth Investor Awards revealed <p><!--summary start--> The full shortlists for the first ever Growth Investor Awards have been announced. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2418628/finalists-growth-investor-awards-revealed https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2418628/finalists-growth-investor-awards-revealed Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:04:00 +0000 Professional Adviser named as media partner for first Growth Investor Awards <p><!--summary start--> Professional Adviser has been named as the media partner for the inaugural Growth Investor Awards. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2417566/professional-adviser-named-media-partner-growth-investor-awards https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2417566/professional-adviser-named-media-partner-growth-investor-awards Tue, 14 Jul 2015 09:38:00 +0000 'Spread bets on steroids': Structured product sales strategies under the spotlight (again) <p><!--summary start--> Consumers struggle to understand structured products and tend to over-estimate potential returns by as much as 10%, the regulator has found. The likely reasons make uncomfortable reading for the sector... <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2398296/-spread-bets-steroids-structured-product-sales-strategies-spotlight https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2398296/-spread-bets-steroids-structured-product-sales-strategies-spotlight Thu, 5 Mar 2015 13:11:00 +0000 Architas launches real assets fund of funds <p><!--summary start--> Architas has launched a fund of funds designed to offer investors exposure to alternative asset classes such as infrastructure and forestry. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2384662/architas-launches-real-assets-fund-funds https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2384662/architas-launches-real-assets-fund-funds Wed, 3 Dec 2014 08:07:51 +0000 P2P in ISAs: Advisers on risk vs reward <p><!--summary start--> The government has kicked off its consultation on allowing P2P loans to be held within ISAs, and making advice on them a regulated activity. So what do advisers think about this relatively new asset class? Laura Miller finds out... <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2377928/p2p-isas-advisers-risk-vs-reward https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2377928/p2p-isas-advisers-risk-vs-reward Fri, 31 Oct 2014 10:36:11 +0000 Life settlements firm EEA points complainants towards advisers <p><!--summary start--> EEA Group, the company behind the EEA Life Settlements fund, is urging investors who believe they were mis-sold the product to complain to the intermediaries who arranged the sale, following an alert by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2372279/eea-speak-advisers-mis-selling-us https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2372279/eea-speak-advisers-mis-selling-us Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:50:00 +0000 Brandeaux confirms £1bn student property IPO <p><!--summary start--> Brandeaux is plannning to float the portfolio of its Student Accommodation fund in a bid to help meet redemption requests. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2347740/brandeaux-confirms-gbp1bn-student-property-ipo https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2347740/brandeaux-confirms-gbp1bn-student-property-ipo Mon, 2 Jun 2014 12:00:24 +0000 FCA wins High Court case against 'unlawful' investments <p><!--summary start--> The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has won its battle against two unauthorised investment schemes after the High Court ruled they were to be classed as collectives and therefore must be regulated. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2329264/fca-wins-court-case-unlawful-investments https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2329264/fca-wins-court-case-unlawful-investments Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:26:22 +0000 The curious case of Benjamin Wilson: How an IFA uncovered a multi-million pound trading scandal <p><!--summary start--> Who said the regulator doesn't listen? In a peculiar sequence of events, a single IFA rescued an investigation the Financial Services Authority (FSA) thought was settled, and which eventually exposed a shocking investment scandal involving a ‘trading maestro', £22m and 300 victims. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2328831/-curious-case-benjamin-wilson-ifa-uncovered-multi-million-pound-trading-scandal https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2328831/-curious-case-benjamin-wilson-ifa-uncovered-multi-million-pound-trading-scandal Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:03:00 +0000 Harlequin chairman's son guilty of £1.6m 'Ponzi scheme' fraud <p><!--summary start--> Matthew Ames, son of troubled overseas property company Harlequin's chairman David Ames, has been found guilty of two counts of defrauding investors. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2328520/harlequin-chairmans-son-guilty-gbp16m-ponzi-scheme-fraud https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2328520/harlequin-chairmans-son-guilty-gbp16m-ponzi-scheme-fraud Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:00:18 +0000 Three alternative income plays <p><!--summary start--> Sheldon MacDonald, senior investment manager at Architas, examines some esoteric investments as potential solutions to the current predicament facing income seekers. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2327120/-alternative-income-plays https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2327120/-alternative-income-plays Thu, 6 Feb 2014 08:01:00 +0000 Why 2013 was a tricky one for alternative investments <p><!--summary start--> In the first of a three-part special on alternative investments, Intelligent Partnership director Dan Kiernan takes stock of a year in which a regulatory crackdown on unregulated investments had immediate consequences... <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2326308/-2013-tricky-alternative-investments https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2326308/-2013-tricky-alternative-investments Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:49:00 +0000 Pension scheme interest in alternatives rises prompting need for advice <p><!--summary start--> Two fifths of pension schemes are open to investing in alternative asset classes to reduce their portfolio risk, according to Aon Hewitt, increasing their need for advice in this area. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2319383/pension-scheme-alternatives-rises-prompting-advice https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2319383/pension-scheme-alternatives-rises-prompting-advice Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:11:25 +0000 FSCS begins paying out on Direct Sharedeal claims <p><!--summary start--> The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has begun paying out the claims of investors who put money into contracts for difference (CfD) with trader Direct Sharedeal. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2249429/fscs-begins-paying-direct-sharedeal-claims https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2249429/fscs-begins-paying-direct-sharedeal-claims Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:23:01 +0000 Harlequin Property hits problems with payments <p><!--summary start--> Harlequin Property, a UK-based overseas property sales agent that is not regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), is having problems issuing payments due under the terms of its agreement. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2244007/harlequin-property-hits-payments https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2244007/harlequin-property-hits-payments Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:32:00 +0000 Due diligence: what you need to know to appease the FSA <p><!--summary start--> Advisers need to look at the product first and the client second when they are doing due diligence to meet the "very high" standards the Financial Services Authority (FSA) expects, according to Regulatory Legal, a law firm specialising in financial services regulation. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2239364/-diligence-appease-fsa https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2239364/-diligence-appease-fsa Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000 VCT flows could halve if caught by UCIS ban - AIC <p><!--summary start--> The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has warned venture capital trust (VCT) fundraising will halve next year, if the vehicles are not granted an exemption from the Financial Services Authority's (FSA's) sales ban on unregulated collective investment schemes (UCIS) to 'ordinary' retail investors. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2238278/vct-flows-halve-caught-ucis-ban-aic https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2238278/vct-flows-halve-caught-ucis-ban-aic Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:00:00 +0000 No accounts for Harlequin Property resort since 2005 <p><!--summary start--> One of the main hotel resorts which received investment from overseas property firm Harlequin Property has not filed accounts for seven years. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2238103/-accounts-harlequin-property-resort-2005 https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2238103/-accounts-harlequin-property-resort-2005 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:20:00 +0000 Securities body issues guidance for sale of complex products <p><!--summary start--> The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has published guidance for intermediaries who advise on complex financial products, including a report detailing nine principles on best practice. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2237750/securities-body-issues-guidance-sale-complex-products https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2237750/securities-body-issues-guidance-sale-complex-products Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:00:53 +0000 FSA warns advisers over UCIS in SIPPs <p><!--summary start--> The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has issued a warning to advisers who recommend that clients invest in unregulated collective investment schemes in their self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs). <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2237671/fsa-warns-advisers-ucis-sipps https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2237671/fsa-warns-advisers-ucis-sipps Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:31:00 +0000 Invest in an MBA student and earn 5% <p><!--summary start--> An innovative scheme allows investors to back bright students who are an excellent credit risk and have an exceptionally low default rate. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2237562/invest-mba-student-earn https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2237562/invest-mba-student-earn Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:28:40 +0000