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News Today
5 reasons you should worry about Greece and the euro

The eurozone once again faces a full-blown crisis centred on Greece. What does it mean for people in the UK?
Read More...

Market blog: Facebook frenzy as FTSE logs worst week of 2012

FTSE 100 slides as eurozone officials prepare contingency plans for Greek exit; Facebook sells 80 million shares in its first minute of trading.
Read More...

What are bonds and how do they work?

Gavin Lumsden concludes his introduction to investment income with a look at fixed interest stocks or bonds.
Read More...

Facebook flotation: what's to like?

Few can fail to be impressed by the social media firm's numbers, but can it justify a $100 billion (£62 billion) valuation in its flotation today?
Read More...

The Expert View: BT, Alumasc, and Falkland Oil and Gas

Our daily round-up of analyst recommendations and commentary, featuring National Grid and Berendsen.
Read More...

Sunday Papers: Cameron pushes for workplace rights shake-up

And world leaders have thrown their weight behind Greece staying in the eurozone.
Read More...

Tax man cracks down on IR35 personal service companies

Some 2,000 senior civil servants are avoiding £30 million a year in tax by channelling their earnings through personal service companies, the Treasury says. Lorna Bourke investigates.
Read More...

Saturday Papers: Facebook narrowly avoids dip below starting price

The social network giant ends day at $38.23, up just 0.61% from its starting price after share sale got off to a messy start.
Read More...

Threadneedle's Harrison: defence and growth in my 'all-weather' portfolio

Leigh Harrison, manager of the Threadneedle UK Equity Income fund, explains how he's balancing defensive stalwarts with some growth picks.
Read More...

Invesco's bond stars position for low-inflation environment

Paul Causer and Paul Read, managers of the Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond fund, expect UK inflation to remain subdued.
Read More...

Tutition fees increase will cost taxpayers £1 billion a year

New figures show that the government's plan to increase tuition fees to £9,000 a year will actually increase the cost to the taxpayer.
Read More...

Rents rise again despite more tenants falling into the red

Nearly 10% of rent in England and Wales was unpaid in April, but rents still rose 0.5%.
Read More...

Week Ahead: time to bring out the bazooka?

With signs of eurozone contagion increasingly apparent, investors will look to the European Central Bank to intervene in the week ahead.
Read More...

Chart of the Day: 4 views on the US economy

A look at the relative health of four of the key US economic indicators.  
Read More...

Gold's poor showing perplexed us, says Newton's Stewart

Iain Stewart, manager of the Newton Real Return fund, a pick of Citywire Selection, admits: 'Our gold exposure was awful in 2011 and it is perplexing.'
Read More...

Efficiency drive in US healthcare creates investment openings

Companies that can streamline the inefficient US healthcare system hold investment potential, says Axa Framlington?s Gemma Game.
Read More...

Payday loans trap one in five in 'downward spiral of debt'

Which? calls for tighter regulation of payday loans after a survey reveals 20% of people cannot afford to pay back their loans.
Read More...

The four key questions for the global economy

Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments, shares his thoughts on the US, oil, Europe and China.
Read More...

Overnight Markets: S&P 500 dives to four-month low on poor economic reports

Consumer discretionary, financial and raw material shares suffered the most, while the Nasdaq fell on weakness in tech shares.
Read More...

Citywire Top Stocks Daily News Digest

All the news from across the web about the companies featured in Citywire's Top Stocks.
Read More...

Personality Finance
5 reasons you should worry about Greece and the euro

The eurozone once again faces a full-blown crisis centred on Greece. What does it mean for people in the UK?
Read More...

Market blog: Facebook frenzy as FTSE logs worst week of 2012

FTSE 100 slides as eurozone officials prepare contingency plans for Greek exit; Facebook sells 80 million shares in its first minute of trading.
Read More...

What are bonds and how do they work?

Gavin Lumsden concludes his introduction to investment income with a look at fixed interest stocks or bonds.
Read More...

Facebook flotation: what's to like?

Few can fail to be impressed by the social media firm's numbers, but can it justify a $100 billion (£62 billion) valuation in its flotation today?
Read More...

The Expert View: BT, Alumasc, and Falkland Oil and Gas

Our daily round-up of analyst recommendations and commentary, featuring National Grid and Berendsen.
Read More...

Sunday Papers: Cameron pushes for workplace rights shake-up

And world leaders have thrown their weight behind Greece staying in the eurozone.
Read More...

Tax man cracks down on IR35 personal service companies

Some 2,000 senior civil servants are avoiding £30 million a year in tax by channelling their earnings through personal service companies, the Treasury says. Lorna Bourke investigates.
Read More...

Saturday Papers: Facebook narrowly avoids dip below starting price

The social network giant ends day at $38.23, up just 0.61% from its starting price after share sale got off to a messy start.
Read More...

Threadneedle's Harrison: defence and growth in my 'all-weather' portfolio

Leigh Harrison, manager of the Threadneedle UK Equity Income fund, explains how he's balancing defensive stalwarts with some growth picks.
Read More...

Invesco's bond stars position for low-inflation environment

Paul Causer and Paul Read, managers of the Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond fund, expect UK inflation to remain subdued.
Read More...

Tutition fees increase will cost taxpayers £1 billion a year

New figures show that the government's plan to increase tuition fees to £9,000 a year will actually increase the cost to the taxpayer.
Read More...

Rents rise again despite more tenants falling into the red

Nearly 10% of rent in England and Wales was unpaid in April, but rents still rose 0.5%.
Read More...

Week Ahead: time to bring out the bazooka?

With signs of eurozone contagion increasingly apparent, investors will look to the European Central Bank to intervene in the week ahead.
Read More...

Chart of the Day: 4 views on the US economy

A look at the relative health of four of the key US economic indicators.  
Read More...

Gold's poor showing perplexed us, says Newton's Stewart

Iain Stewart, manager of the Newton Real Return fund, a pick of Citywire Selection, admits: 'Our gold exposure was awful in 2011 and it is perplexing.'
Read More...

Efficiency drive in US healthcare creates investment openings

Companies that can streamline the inefficient US healthcare system hold investment potential, says Axa Framlington?s Gemma Game.
Read More...

Payday loans trap one in five in 'downward spiral of debt'

Which? calls for tighter regulation of payday loans after a survey reveals 20% of people cannot afford to pay back their loans.
Read More...

The four key questions for the global economy

Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments, shares his thoughts on the US, oil, Europe and China.
Read More...

Overnight Markets: S&P 500 dives to four-month low on poor economic reports

Consumer discretionary, financial and raw material shares suffered the most, while the Nasdaq fell on weakness in tech shares.
Read More...

Citywire Top Stocks Daily News Digest

All the news from across the web about the companies featured in Citywire's Top Stocks.
Read More...

News Feed - Supplied by Citywire
21st May 2012
E-mail Webmaster

Message: 19th April 2011
It has been drawn to our attention that a bogus firm is using our name and making cold calls. We do not make these type of calls in any circumstances.

CAROLINE BANKS Chartered Financial Planners

After being awarded the title IFA of the Year in 1994, Caroline Banks formed Caroline Banks & Associates Ltd. The award was then the industry’s technical benchmark and a recognition of excellence.

The two Directors responsible for financial advice are Caroline Banks and Charles Wood, who were amongst the first advisers in the UK to become Chartered Financial Planners upon commencement of this prestigious designation in 2006. This title is a recognisable benchmark of quality and ethical practice for professionals giving finance advice and has elevated financial services to the same standing as other Chartered professions.

We were also thrilled to become one of the first to be recognised as a Chartered firm of Financial Planners in 2007. This means we have satisfied rigorous criteria relating to professional qualifications and ethical good practise and ensures our clients can be confident they are dealing with one of the UK’s leading firms that is wholly committed to providing the best possible advice, service and support. From advice on a simple transaction, to a full holistic financial planning service, we aim to help our clients build their wealth, protect it and pass it on.

Charles holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and both Caroline and Charles are affiliates of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, through holding the STEP Certificate for Financial Services (Trusts and Estate Planning).

We work with professional advisers across many other areas including fund management and detailed tax and legal advice.

The Company built its top class reputation over the past 16 years through giving solid financial advice, aiming to give service to their clients which could rarely be matched. Acknowledgement of this was given when the Evening Standard magazine, ES, featured the company as one of the best seven independent advisers in London. (Source: ES 4 September 1998). Other recognitions we are proud of is the company being short listed in the Citywire New Model Adviser of the Year Awards, London in January 2007. Prior to this, the company was runner up as "Best Pension IFA" in the Money Marketing Financial Services awards.

Committed to using the latest technology to assist with detailed research, the Company has a highly trained administration department where staff members constantly undergo professional development training. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, Caroline and Charles advise a broad spectrum of individual and corporate clients. References may be sought, on request.

All new clients to the company are through referral only.

 
     

Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England No 2932776