Lunes, Disyembre 7, 2015

Even Higher Bank Officials Skip Cybersecurity

According to research by Palo Alto Networks, finance workers are likely to skip cybersecurity protection measures for faster transactions or approvals, which increases the likelihood of hackers penetrating their systems.





About one out of five finance workers admitted they ignored cybersecurity policies. According to many employees, they do not fully understand what is an online security risk.
Palo Alto Network's research spanned the entire Europe. France has the lowest number of finance workers disregarding online cybersecurity measures.

But this isn't the worst part of this news just yet.

Even higher bank officials have lax attitudes towards cybersecurity measures, which they personally ignore. About one in four executives in Europe admitted they exposed their companies to potential threats when they accessed delicate files.

Using unscrupulous methods to save time and circumvent security, they may have exposed their companies once to potential threats

Hacking has become a growing concern in the United Kingdom with Chancellor George Osborne announcing he would double the UK's spending on cybersecurity and will spend more than £1.9 billion extra to prevent further hacking incidents in the future.


The overall financial attacks of cybercrime in the world today has reached more 
than £200 billion in 2014 alone.

Martes, Nobyembre 10, 2015

Decisions, Decisions and Personal Finance

You ask what it takes to become an investor? Jolly good you asked that! It's a question nobody could answer directly. But, it's a question any investor would like answered properly as well.



I'm an investor. I go with the London Stock Exchange. Political decisions do not scare me. We measure everything in a quantifiable manner.
But like any sane person, we play by guts and we understand we cannot quantify everything.

Quantify Risks and Gains


Today's political climate in the UK has the conservatives helming a firm hand over the UK's political ground rule. Sure, Labour and LibDem can often make noise. But the people know it's the tories who are under control and have given much of their benefits nowadays.
But they are not perfect. Us investors recognise that. But so far right now, investing in UK companies and bonds even are great deals.

Play It Safe


Despite great benefits from the tories especially from the humungous real estate sale through the Help To Buy by Chancellor Osborne and the historically low interest rates helped investors to secure more assets. While we know it was meant for Britons to purchase more residences and push up real estate prices, the trouble was it was meant for everyone.

I'm not a kingly investor so I can still apply for the benefit. But it only helped me become richer. At best, that decision was the lowest risk there is. I played it safe and I believe you would agree to that as well.

Huwebes, Oktubre 8, 2015

Did You Know Scam Victims Are Sending More Than £240m To Jamaica?

Here's the problem: many of us in the United Kingdom want cash and we want it fast. That's what made the PPI claims industry boom and why claims managers are earning so much. But like some rogue claims companies, we can end up getting scammed.



Lottery scams is another way we get swindled for money. They collect numbers illegally through back-end arrangements with some top telecom companies worldwide.

The thing is, UK's populace, especially the elderly, aren't sending just £1000s. They're sending millions, and we send about £270m yearly to scammers from Africa, Jamaica and other areas of Asia.

We all know that gangs are behind this. But their anonymity is their weapon. So here are…

Ways To Avoid This Situation



Check Credentials

A polite voice talks to you from a call centre. Immediately, their professional tone and mention of specific documentation can make you fall for their death trap. Better make sure you check the credentials behind this service.

Most of these companies will have a website describing their services' detail. Check with authorities regarding the existence of these companies first before proceeding.

Be Sceptical About Anonymous Money-Sending

Anonymous money sending services needed to pay? They're asking you to buy some cash vouchers from financial institutions? Gift cheques for an international grocery line being asked from you? All of these are very sketchy! Drop the phone and forget about it.

Grammar

Perhaps grammar, literally the uneven tone of writing and the use of unconventional phrases in email scams should help you avoid phishing.

Read the sentence carefully. If you spot one single error, forget about the deal.

Martes, Setyembre 8, 2015

Three Ways You Could Manage To Live Free While Financially Stable

Nobody would ever turn down an offer to live the best life possible while earning in the same way. With faster communications technology, remote workstations are possible. That is, if you have a great agreement with your employer. But if you're feeling stuck with your job, why not just go and do what you really want?



1. What You Want And What You Need To Do


It's easy to have something you want. But it's not easy to set a deadline when to get it. You've got lots of excuses, such as you needing that job to finance your home, mortgage or others. The fact is, you will need to pay for these commitments. However, it does not mean it doesn't end. Financing can be a pain. But it doesn't mean it doesn't have an end. Why not just let someone rent out your place first for you to pay for the property while you go travelling? Or why not just quit your job when you don’t really like it and find a part-time or Internet-based work?

2. Debt


There's no one who could escape debt so quickly. Everyone will need financing at some point in life. There's no escaping it. But when's your rent troublesome? When you're the one paying for it. There are ride-sharing services that would allow other drivers to rent your wheels and both of you could split the profits together. You could just rent out some of your clothes or sell them at a lower price. The applications are endless!

3. Budget



You make things work. You do know that to increase your budget, you have to sacrifice some creature comforts. Skip a bit of that steak you have every Friday and save yourself some £2 per week. Add more and you get more. That's the key!

Linggo, Agosto 9, 2015

So Why Haven't You Had A Raise In Months? Here's Five Reasons Why!



1. Fragile Growth

It's been a while since your superior sent your promotion recommendation letter to the upper management. You haven't heard from them for six months. They realise your potential and dedication to your work. The problem is, the dedication of the economy to valuing your work isn't.

In 2015's first quarter, almost every country, including Europe and Britain, have seen great expansion. However, there's trouble with the footing after the jump, which makes things worse for your new job footing.

2. Labour Market

Unemployment is up on almost every Western country today. However, the weakness of the job market's strength to maintain longer a huge number of jobs makes it highly likely for you not to get a raise. Perhaps because many people with better qualifications could earn them a job up top.

3. Employment Shift

Technology always replaces manpower with more firepower and less expenses. Workers need to have a number of skills and must often adapt and reinvent themselves to maintain their jobs or skyrocket to another position. Another problem is that the Baby Boomers are yet to retire because of significant economic troubles and downturns keeping them on the radar.

4. Companies Wanting Cheap Labour


Ever heard of the photographer dilemma plaguing almost every millennial in the world today? It's just that companies don't want to pay for anything and instead upholds "exposure", "job experience" and "pay to intern". This might be propelling the jobs market, but also propelling the vacancies. Who wants a non-paying job anyway?

Martes, Hulyo 7, 2015

Asian Shares Still Tumbling. China's Economy Lacks Support

As Asia's shares tumble, China's investors further their disappointment with the Chinese Government's asset management.  Asian shares are on its one and a half year low on Wednesday. Despite the bad news, the Japense Yen had rallied.



The Chinese Government's perceived incompetence and the Greek debt crisis are scaring plenty of investors in Asia. About 30% of Chinese shares had fallen since mid-June. China continues to suffer from a slow economy despite Beijing's attempt to support its market.
Japan's Nikkei Stock had fallen by 2% to a seven-week low due to China's aggressiveness in the territory and the stronger Japanese currency.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Senior Market Economist Ayako Sera said Greece has become a background in investor fears as more of them worry about China's economy and slumping stocks. She said Shanghai's early losses were "cliff-dives" that affected investor sentiment directly.

However, investors still continue to fear about Greece's mountain of debt. It was given an ultimatum by the European Union to create a bailout deal by Sunday or it will meet regarding containing the possible fallout of a Greek exit.


The situation in both Asia and Europe had dropped 0.4% from the US dollar.

Linggo, Hunyo 7, 2015

How To Succeed In Expanding Your Savings? Here Are Three Things To Get Rid Of!

It’s easy to earn money. It’s hard to manage money. Having bad money habits make it more difficult to earn money. Here are three examples of bad habits that would definitely drag down your finances. Avoid these at all costs!



1.    Not Budgeting

Without a budget, you don’t have a financial plan. Sure, you could pay your bills monthly, but without curbing other expenses, you prevent yourself from saving money. How to know if you’ve spent enough? Make a budget.

2.    Credit Card

Always manage your credit card like your own bank account. It’s a bank account where your credit card limit is your own money. List down how much you spend and make sure you pay them on time to make them “free.”

3.    Emergency Funds


You allocated money in your emergency funds for the very purpose of having money during emergencies. Never dip your hand inside your emergency funds because it would definitely develop into a bad habit that you couldn’t shake off in the future. 

Biyernes, Mayo 8, 2015

For Fresh Graduates: Always Remember These Things



 Everyone has something to regret and most of the lists found in the Internet is something we could all relate to. For fresh graduates, it’s very important to understand that aside from your academic endeavours and idealistic perspective, managing finances is also very important.

 

So if you intend to know more about money before you regretfully lose it and learn as well, here are some free tips!

1.    Live Below Your Means

The line “live within your means” is incompatible as ‘below’ has become more appropriate lately with the world’s economic situation. Living below your means helps you have emergency funds while avoiding high-value objects that could become lower in value sooner or later.

2.    Build Your Credit Early

Have a credit card and always repay it in full month after month. If you have it at an early age, you could build your credit reputation with banks, which will then show you the way to better financial responsibilities in the form of more expensive but rewarding financing.

3.    Prepare For The Future

If you learn how to monitor your spending and keeping track of your expenses always be prepared for the future. If you don’t have much foresight, just remember that your employers could provide equal matches for your 401(k). Always try to save money, every small amount you put aside really helps.

Martes, Abril 7, 2015

Interest-Only Traps: How, Why and What Can You Do?



One could say UK banks are focused on making profits instead of ensuring consumers get the most out of their financial products. As some terms and conditions trap UK consumers into an interest-only mortgage with a very high rate, only re-mortgaging becomes the option to lower the fees.

Some UK banks have these terms and conditions:

A customer with an income of £75,000 or a joint £100,000 annual income could change their interest-only mortgage rates smoothly. 

Initially, your bank could refuse your request. But look for the following clause in your terms and conditions.

“Banks could make a decision on interest mortgage rates should they find the customer satisfactory in fulfilling the requirements needed.”

Or something like that.

If banks ignored this instance, you could talk to them. Never settle for anything less and never let your bank decide. Make sure that you feel uncomfortable with your current interest-only mortgage rates.

Remortgaging, which puts the interest at a higher rate for your mortgage, has some advantages. It reduces your taxes yearly. Think about that. But if you’re decided to lower the rates on your interest-only mortgage, then whichever works for you is better. 

Just make sure to avoid the trap. Read your terms and conditions thrice and avoid giving the bank the final decision.

Linggo, Marso 8, 2015

Austria Is Becoming Greece. Wait, What?

Austria’s financial troubles seem to mimic the early signs of Greek financial mismanagement. According to Telegraph.co.uk’s Jeremy Warner, Austria’s failed Hypo-Alpe-Adria Bank International falls into the same category. He said that the latest turn of events aren’t yet in the eyes of financial markets or policymakers.

The Austrian government has had enough to fund the banks’ losses. The government said it would “bail-in” external creditors with €7.6 billion. The Austrian government is to cut loose an entire region and let it “go bust.”

Warner said this is a similar situation to Greece during its early financial downfall.
The bail-in for Hypo will create consequences for other Austrian banks, especially those holding a high volume of bonds from Hypo and interlinked banks throughout Europe.

Greece is Still In Trouble

Despite his charisma and intelligence with the "war of words" in Germany and other European countries, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis bears no fruit. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warns him to "stand down" and maintain a lower profile.
Varoufakis is told to "talk less, do more" instead of babbling with the media about his plans. He has since maintained a low profile in social media and limited his appearances in the media.
Local Greek newspapers are warning Varoufakis that his "support profits" from the Greek elections are running out because of his actions.

Miyerkules, Enero 7, 2015

Three Reasons Why You Should Put Forward Your Retirement Instead of Your Child’s College Plan



For most parents, the love for their child dominates their own personal need, only to find that they may become fiscal burdens in their child’s future. Most will prioritise their kids’ college funding because it is “the right thing to do.” However, being a good parent also requires being a critical and thinking parent, and sometimes, your retirement is more important to put forward because of the following.

1.    There Are Many Alternate College-Funding Sources
You don’t have to build capital to ensure that your child gets a proper education through a college fund. Your children will have the option to get grants, financial aid, scholarships and even a college loan that can help them cover their college costs. Meanwhile, you have no other option for making up for lost money from retirement savings. Children are also likely to appreciate your fiscal investment if you tell them they are also part of it.

2.    If Your Retirement Is in Good Shape, Then Consider Saving For College
If your retirement fund is already in good shape, then it is the time to fund for your child’s college. Remember, there are avenues to get educational financing. However, you don’t have any alternative for your retirement fund. You will end up weighing down your kids when they become successful and you become a burden to them, which could strain your relationship despite your earlier good intentions.

3.    Stick With Your Financial Plan
Your financial plan gets altered when things go out of hand. When it does, you end up having to give your children their dreams rather than fulfilling yours. However, it would end up as big trouble with your children’s financial plans in the future if you haven’t fulfilled yours, or you are unsatisfied with your own lifestyle by that time. This is why fulfil your own dreams and responsibilities to yourself first before your give them anything to pursue their dreams.