EU Member Countries are Optimistic Their Economies will Rebound by Year 2022

The European Union is optimistic that EU countries will be rebound soon since the results of the first quarter economic activities had surpassed expectations. Moreover, the second quarter, which started with enhanced health situation has allowed the economies of member countries to get back on track; making the near-end-of-year prospect appear much better than what was originally forecasted.

Eurostat’s Preliminary Flash Estimate had earlier suggested that there would be a great decline of GDP during the 2021 first quarter.On the contrary the decline was milder, due to the reduced numbers of new infections and hospitalisations, the progress in vaccination, and effective implementation of containment strategy,

That being the case, EU Member States agreed to reopen their economies in order to improve the welfare of service sector businesses.

GDP Growth in 2nd Quarter Expected to Continue in 2022

Survey results and data tracking mobility reports show positive indications that a bounce back in consumption has already begun. The EU believes that the trend will continue and will strengthen in the following months.

In total, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecasts for this year is expected to increase by 4.8% and by 4.5% next year, in both the Euro area and in EU countries.

In the Euro area, inflation is expected to average 1.9% this year, and by 1.4% in 2022. Despite the high uncertainty and risks surrounding the growth interpretation, the overall outlook is that everything looks balanced.
However, if the supply constraints persist the pressure will result in price increases that will likely be passed on to consumers. In that would be the case. inflation rate might be higher than what the EU foresees.

Why Is Financial Freedom For Retirement So Interesting?

The reasons for wanting financial freedom can vary from person to person. Nevertheless, there are always similar motifs. Often this is the exit from active working life.offshore account

Many employees cannot and do not want to work in their profession until the retirement age of 67. The possibility to quit working life at any time due to financial freedom, even at the age of 40 or 50, can mean security in this context.

Financially free people no longer have to “endure” possible stress or physical strain from employment. As a result, private individuals can prevent the many health hazards caused by work stress. Privateers use the time saved for a healthier life, more sport and more time with their family, for example.

Those who have achieved financial freedom can turn to goals that promise little or no income. Volunteering is one of them, for example. Conversely, financial support can also be a step towards self-employment. This in turn can lead to a new stream of income.

Possible reasons for wanting financial freedom

  • Early retirement
  • Less stress
  • More family
  • Live healthier
  • Professional reorientation

Retirement investment: Is financial freedom possible for low and normal wage earners?

Various authors of financial literature assume that financial freedom is possible for everyone. In reality, people who already have a high level of education and wealth have a higher chance of achieving financial freedom. Low and normal wage earners often have to spend a large proportion of their income on their way of life. Therefore, they can build up comparatively less wealth.

Despite this difficult starting position, people with low incomes can also achieve financial freedom. In addition to a high-yield investment, you can adjust two factors for this. On the one hand, they can reduce their expenses or increase their income. The cost reduction has its limits. In contrast, there are theoretically unlimited possible increases in wealth.

Retirement: Get financially free by investing

The basis for the concept of financial freedom can therefore be the investment of funds in the capital market or real estate market. You can also open an offshore account and learn how this can help you secured financially. This form of investing delivers a long-term return that is significantly higher than that of fixed-income investments, such as overnight or fixed-term deposits. Aspiring investors should first look at the basics of investing.

What Are Futures And How Do They Affect Commodity Prices

What Are Futures Contracts?

The futures are financial contracts in which the buyer and the seller of a particular commodity (gold, wheat, salt, sugar, coffee, etc.) agree after a set time to exchange a certain amount of that commodity for a fixed price. A sort of insurance for the future is stipulated between the parties. Futures are useful because, for obvious reasons, it is not possible to predict the prices of wheat or sugar in the future, (months or years in advance). The use of futures contracts helps producers (like farmers) avoid a price too low or too high in the future. In other words, a contract is made in which it is stipulated that the goods will be exchanged at a price agreed in advance. See A Plus assets for more information on the futures market (해외선물).

Futures and Commodity Prices

From a theoretical point of view, everything looked well. But in reality, in a world where as many as one billion people suffer from hunger, the excessive spread of futures leads to unacceptable – if not scandalous – paradoxes. In practice, it happens that there is no longer any relationship between the prices of securities traded on the stock exchange and the raw material physically cultivated in the fields. Prices are determined by the dynamics created in the “bet”, rather than in the real market. And the real prices follow what has been betted on – practically the price that is artificially formed on the international commodity exchanges (first of all that of Chicago), is transmitted locally. Thus, food prices do not depend so much on how the last harvest went, but also and above all on what happens on the stock exchange. If the price of wheat goes up in Chicago, it will go up all over the world, even if fundamentals haven’t changed and harvests have been good. A clear and recent example is the paradox of the price of milk in Europe in 2011, which doubled within a few weeks, despite the fact that production has always remained constant.

Specific Policies Needed To Limit Number Of Futures Contracts

In the absence of rules that force the delivery or limitation of the number of futures that can be issued or held (with the so-called “position limits”), the dissemination of these instruments is theoretically boundless. And so financial speculations have terrible repercussions on farmers all over the world and cause an acceleration of the phenomenon of instability on world agricultural markets. Which for Westerners means having a lighter wallet, but for many people, it makes the difference between being able to feed on a daily basis or not.

Speculation is part of the instability of the market; to face it, more transparency and more information would be needed. Europe is making progress, but it should be accelerated.

How iPhones are Considered Economic Necessities

iPhone

 

TO MAKE IT at America, You Need to hustle. Fast-food employee or CEO, Uber motorist or student, you need to remain connected in a market built on the premise that anybody is constantly accessible anywhere. Now, this usually means you will need a smartphone.

When Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, the entire world knew this as a tablet computer, a novelty, even a trendy item that you plunked down a couple of money for if you’re fortunate enough to get the cash. Then you needed to determine what to do with it. In the beginning, the response is: drama games and take photos of items, talk, and text. A decade after, the smartphone has come to be the lifeblood of societal interaction and upwards mobility. Individuals from every economic stratum utilize them to remain in contact. What is more, more smartphones have been the motor of this gig market, which now employs roughly one in three American employees.

The choice between healthcare and also a smartphone isn’t a choice whatsoever.

All of making the bogus fated Utah representative Jason Chaffetz attracted now the more bothersome. “Instead of getting that fresh iPhone they only love and need to spend countless bucks on this, perhaps they ought to invest in their health care,” Chaffetz said on CNN by defending the House of Representative’s new healthcare bill. Chaffetz either does not recognize or will not admit that from the 21st century, even the choice between healthcare and also a smartphone isn’t a choice in any respect.

The huge majority of Americans use the web daily — 88 percent based on that the Pew Research Center. In 2016, three-quarters of Americans possessed a smartphone with lower-income individuals and individuals over age 50 accounting for a lot of the latest growth. This past year, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced the net proved to be a simple human right. Individuals using the net — some 60 million Americans and countless around the globe — face a significant disadvantage.

 

ALSO READ: How to Invest in Physical Gold in Canada?

 

“I will show you young pupils who do their assignments on smartphones at the parking lot of McDonald’s. I am able to reveal to you grandmas who have not spoken for their own grandkids in many years since they do not have the worldwide web,” states Chike Aguh, CEO of the nonprofit EveryoneOn, which functions to close the digital divide by getting everybody online. Just getting the net at home enhances a child’s likelihood of graduating from high school,” Aguh states. “Should you misunderstand you simply and trivialize a very major barrier to economic freedom and also a supply of economic inequality in this country.”

For individuals using the least cash, the smartphone takes on much greater significance. If you can not manage a computer or an at-home broadband connection, then the smartphone becomes your main means of getting online. It’s possible to apply for jobs through your telephone, organize childcare, or exchange changes with your co-workers. For homeless men and women using the world wide web to discover beds or use for jobs, a smartphone may be a literal lifesaver.

Also, contra Chaffetza lifesaver that charges at least an order of magnitude less than the sort that covers your doctors’ bills. It’s possible to find a completely complimentary smartphone from Verizon and cover $35 yearly for accessibility, or even a bit more than $420 each year. If you can not manage a monthly invoice, you can purchase a smartphone via BestBuy no credit check to get under $100 and rely upon complimentary Wi-fi hotspots to utilize it. By comparison, the typical healthcare spending per person in America climbed to almost $9,990 in 2015, based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Cutting a smartphone and its own invoice will not abruptly give most Americans the ability to pay for a monthly medical insurance premium.

Paradoxically, access to the net can really have positive consequences on people’s well-being. In 2014the FCC and the University of Mississippi gave individuals experiencing chronic diabetes access to some cellular online device that monitored their blood glucose. In only the first half an hour, the 85 men and women in the evaluation program went into the hospital had gained greater control over their illness. As well as the hospital had rescued $339,184 at ER visits, based on Aguh, that will subtract that amount. Elsewhere, cancer sufferers utilize cellular phones to handle their illness –an affordable way to begin closing the difference in care between affluent individuals and everybody else.

Far from having an exaggeration, a smartphone may make healthcare more affordable to everybody, maybe less. Assuming that there is a requirement and another a luxury does not only resist the realities of the things it requires to take part in the US market –it shows a deliberate absence of creativity to comprehend that the ability of technologies to make Americans’ lives improved.

 

US Commerce Dept. Reported Increases in Consumer Spending Despite Price Inflation

While the US Labor Dept. reported increased employee-hiring in June, the US Commerce Dept. reported that consumers boosted retail sales for the month. Even more interesting is that the increased consumer spending took place despite price inflation, in which prices of goods rose by up to 5.4% coming from last year’s prices of consumer goods and services.

The June spike in retail sales indicated a strong demand for consumer goods, as the Commerce Dept. reports show that spenders have also shifted to paying for services, which accelerated the growth of retail sales in the 2nd quarter of 2021.

Inflation was said to be triggered by the motor vehicle market’s inability to meet the consumers’ growing demand due to global shortage of semiconductors. Nonetheless, the lack simply directed the vehicle-buying public to the used-cars market, and as a result boosted the sale of used trucks and automobiles.

Much to the delight of many retailers they are seeing a rebound in their business, despite the raised prices. In store traffic increased despite the higher prices of commodities displayed on store shelves.

Commerce Dept. Reported Increased Consumer Spending in the Certain Retail Sectors

According the Commerce Department’s June 2021 report, retail sales spiked by 0.6%, which was the opposite of the department’s May 2021 report. The previous month’s retail sales fell by 1.7%, slightly higher than the expected decline of 1.3%.

When compared to last year’s June report, last month’s retail sales surged by 18.0%, which has in fact surpassed the pre-pandemic level.

During the pandemic, consumer demands had shifted to electronic goods and motor vehicles, as millions of Americans had to work from home, while others wanted to avoid commuting by way of public transports.

The June 2021 increase in consumer retail spending indicated a renewed thrust toward paying for travel and entertainment related services. Economists attribute the trend to the fact that at least 160 million US citizens are now fully immunized against the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Aside from the huge spike in travel and hotel spending, other services that saw an increase in retail sales in the second quarter, include education, healthcare and restaurants as well as bars.

When compared to the June 2020 report in which restaurant and bar sales were limited to take outs and orders for delivery, the June 2021 sale of food and beverage products in restaurants and bars increased by 2.3%. Based on last month’s figures, sales in restaurants and bars in June 2021 grew by 0.6%.

As far as consumer goods are concerned, the clothes retail sector experienced a 2.6% increase in sales. Appliance and electronic outlets saw sales surged by 3.3%. About 1.2% of the June 2021 growth retail sales were accounted in online retail stores.

Wealth Management: What It Is And Why Do You Need It

Financial Management

 

Home management is the maximum degree of financial preparation services. Wealth management normally includes comprehensive investment direction together with financial information, tax advice, estate planning as well as legal aid.

The kind of service extended by means of a wealth management company is ideal for wealthy customers. However, while you might not demand wealth management today, your demands are most very likely to change over time. Sooner or later, it can be time for you to check into wealth direction.

Property management: What can it be?

Property management is the most innovative kind of investment adviser service. A wealth adviser normally creates a particularly tailored investment plan and strategy for their customers to help them handle their own resources.

Wealth managers normally target their services in the highly wealthy and might have experienced the kinds of financial questions which impact the ultrawealthy, like the way to prevent the estate tax. They frequently organize services among different specialists, like working with a lawyer or an accountant for your benefit.

Just how much cash do you require wealth management?

In summary: Lots. Wealth management solutions frequently need exorbitant account minimums. By way of instance, Fidelity’s “personal wealth management assistance,” in which you’ve got a whole group of financial professionals operating for your benefit, needs at least two million spent through Fidelity Wealth Services and $10 million or more in total investable assets.

Fidelity also provides a more straightforward “wealth management” support, in which you utilize a single advisor and demands a $250,000 accounts minimum.

Vanguard, yet another online broker, provides a selection of financial information services; the sole that explains as “wealth management” takes a $5 million minimum.

 

ALSO READ: Macron Announces 3rd Lockdown as Rise in COVID-19 Deaths Occurs in France

 

Is a wealth supervisor worthwhile?

A wealth supervisor ought to have the ability to help with all your financial-planning wants, as much as including, as an instance, handling the tax consequences of company income and establishing donor-advised finance to your charitable gifts.

Financial planners can provide similar services to riches supervisors, but frequently they will allow you to buy services on an “a la carte” basis. By way of instance, if all you need is help to figure out exactly the way you are going to satisfy your retirement income requirements, a few financial planners will use you to make a retirement income program, and you also pay exclusively for that support.

Should you will require help with real estate planning, technical tax aid, or buying information, it might be well worth getting skilled assistance now to safeguard and conserve your resources afterward.

Wealth vs Portfolio Administration

Wealth management provides more comprehensive financial preparation than portfolio administration. It has comprehensive advice on a customer’s financial situation, such as investment management, tax, and estate preparation, bookkeeping, retirement preparation as well as legal advice in some instances.

Portfolio management identifies an agency or individual who embraces an investment plan on behalf of a customer. Portfolio direction involves choosing investments that reduce risk and optimize yields but generally does not consist of other financial preparation services.

Wealth management choice: Online financial preparation solutions

If these wealth-management minimums are greater than you bargained for, then you most likely don’t require wealth administration. Though a few financial planners also concentrate on ultrawealthy customers, there is an increasing cadre of financial advisors working with both wealthy and middle-income people. A few of those advisors run online.

Online financial advisors such as Netwealth (visit Netwealth review) provide portfolio management (also referred to as investment direction) and comprehensive financial planning, such as access to an individual financial planner. Many times, these solutions are delivered completely over the telephone by video conference. As you might not match in person, you are going to work with a financial adviser who will help you construct a holistic budget or attain a particular aim.

The services provided vary by supplier. Some suppliers can assist you with certain financial questions but others — as an instance, complicated queries across the foreclosure of self-employment earnings may be beyond the range of a few businesses.

Given all of the variety, it is very important to look around to get the support that best fulfills your requirements.

 

 

Macron Announces 3rd Lockdown as Rise in COVID-19 Deaths Occurs in France

President Macron announced 2 weeks ago that France will be undergoing an overdue third national lockdown, which he insisted on delaying sometime in January. Back then he contradicted the recommendations of the country’s health officials and party opposition leaders, preferring to impose strict national measures. Now that the country is experiencing setbacks in COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, a third wave of a coronavirus has been causing more deaths.

President Macron had banked on the vaccine immunization as a means to slow down the infections. However, the opposite happened as the number of ICU patients in the country has exceeded the 5,000 mark even before the new lockdown restrictions were announced. As it is, ICU units in the greater Paris area, Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’Azur, and the northern Hauts-de-France are too saturated and cannot take any more patients.

Overview of France’s Third Lackdown Mandate

The French leader stated that the current restrictions that previously cover ⅓ of the country will now be implemented nationwide for four weeks. Schools have been closed to last for about three weeks. Other restriction measures include limited travel outside the house if not for a professional reason and be confined to a radius of 10km if for practicing sport or getting fresh air. There is no time limit as long as it is done before curfew hours of between 6 am and 7 pm.

The stricter restriction measures also include temporary closure of non-essential shops in the country; of which around 150,000 shops would be affected. However, music stores, bookshops, car dealerships, florists, Easter oblige, chocolate shops, and hairdressers are allowed ro open.

Everything You Need To Know About Investing Bitcoin

Do you want to learn how to invest in Bitcoin? Read on so that you can start as soon as possible! If you got there early, Bitcoin could have been the best investment you’ve ever made. In just a few years, the price of the digital currency has risen from less than a dollar to (at its highest point) more than $ 20,000 per Bitcoin.

Why invest in Bitcoin?
Many people are investing in Bitcoin for a variety of reasons as shown in many posts and articles on sites like ‘medium.com’. Tech enthusiasts often start to learn more about the technical side of cryptocurrency and the associated blockchain. However, Bitcoin is seen by a growing group of people as an investment with an extraordinarily high return. In the early years of Bitcoin, around 2012, the value of one Bitcoin fluctuated around $ 2. In December 2017, Bitcoin hit a record value of $ 20,000. Because the price of Bitcoin fluctuates strongly, the moment of entry is very decisive for the return that you achieve. Thanks to the current high position, the return in 2020 is currently already 110%. When you compare this to the current average savings rate of 0.1%, and an average return of 6-7% on ETFs, you quickly understand why Bitcoin is such an attractive investment. The Bitcoin price has experienced many fluctuations as can be seen in the graph. Business Insider calculated how much investment would be worth in October 2018.

How does cryptocurrency investing work?
There are several ways to invest in cryptocurrency. You can do this directly by investing in Bitcoin. You then buy a coin or part of a coin and sell the coin at a time when the rate is higher. By investing in Bitcoin in this way, you must ensure safe storage of the cryptocurrency yourself. You can buy Bitcoins through an online exchange. There are now many different exchanges where you can deposit money. In a virtual market, you can then buy Bitcoins from other users on the exchange. Another way to invest in Bitcoin is through CFDs. Bitcoin CFDs (Contract for Difference) are derivatives. This is an investment product where the price of a Bitcoin CFD is based on the value of the Bitcoin. This allows you to trade with “leverage”. This effect keeps the investment low in relation to the potential return. This allows you to achieve bigger profits with a small budget. An advantage of CFD trading is that you can go short if you think the Bitcoin price will fall. This allows you to trade even if the Bitcoin goes down. You then make profits when the price of Bitcoin goes down. This form of investment is generally more suitable for experienced investors. By investing in CFDs you are essentially speculating about the Bitcoin price movement in the future.

Where can I invest in Bitcoin?
Do you want to invest in Bitcoins? There are many brokers and exchanges that offer you the opportunity to buy Bitcoin directly online. You can also contact various brokers for shares or futures. You have various options at large international brokers. You can buy the currency directly or choose to trade CFDs. These ‘Contracts for Difference’ ensure that you can invest in the value of Bitcoin without owning the Bitcoin yourself. At large brokers, crypto is the main category among the possibilities.

Financial Hardship – An Experience Common to Many Australians

A 2019 report released by the Australian Financial Security Authority showed that one of every 5 Australians experience financial hardship as a daily reality.

In all probability, the statistics has changed for the worse, after the COVID-19 outbreak that immediately followed the 2019-2020 catastrophic bushfire. The resulting loss of business income or of regular employment is again, driving many Australians to seek relief from their monthly loan payments by way of loan modification; or other means by which they could temporarily pause or reduce monthly loan payments.

Financial hardship is a circumstance not uncommon to many Australians, even if the country ranks among the world’s wealthiest nations. It’s just that many Australian communities are often exposed to natural disasters that often occur one after another. Such events have great impact on vulnerable citizens, since the damages wrought by the natural hazards adversely affect their ability to recover quickly from financial difficulties.

Financial Hardship and Australia’s Consumer Credit Protection Law

In recognizing the frequency of the economic hardship that many Australians go through during challenging times, the country’s National Consumer Credit Protection Act of 2009, gives citizens the right to request modifications of their credit or loan obligations on the ground of financial hardship — not only as a result of a hazardous event/s but also due to illness, loss of employment or even family breakdown.

Lending institutions on the other hand, are under obligation to consider such requests; but given the right to base their approval on their own set of standards. Now here’s the thing, not all Australians have levels of financial literacy that enable them to obtain the best loan modification deal that can provide them the financial relief they seek. In fact, not many are unaware that there are licensed finance brokers who can negotiate a hardship variation arrangement on their behalf.

The team of financial experts of National Loans Australia (NLA), for one, offers their financial services by representing clients seeking to apply not only for hardship variations, but also for refinance deals, as not all borrowers are eligible for hardship modifications.

Keep in mind however, that unscrupulous individuals are most active during times of financial hardship. That is why before engaging a finance broker, it would be best to be on the safe side, by engaging the services of a licensed finance broker.

Ways by Which Finance Brokers at National Loans Australia Can Help

As finance brokers, the financial services offered by NLA start by providing clients and would-be clients, with a free to use, online Loan Pre-Approval tool. The purpose of which, is to find out the financing options available to an individual based on a bank’s or other financial institution’s assessment of the applicant’s personal information, economic condition and credit history.

As licensed brokers, the goal of every NLA broker is to help a client obtain a finance deal that is most beneficial, and at the same time, suitable to their present and future capabilities to settle a financial obligation. While some clients are not eligible for a hardship variation that will reduce their monthly payments, the NLA team can help by negotiating for a refinance deal.

In their 24 years of experience, this group of financial brokers have maintained well-founded relationships with many Australian lenders, including the non-traditional fintechs. While a hardship loan-modification can be negotiated only with the original lender, a refinance deal is different. A loan refinance can be negotiated with another lender who will agree to provide funds to pay off an existing loan with the original lender.

That being the case, the funds provided will then be the refinance loan that a client will settle with the new lender; but under better and more manageable repayment terms. A refinance loan actually takes away the past due interests and penalty charges that tend to make an outstanding loan more difficult to pay.

How to Invest in Physical Gold in Canada?

Gold Bars

 

Finding out how to purchase real gold from Canada, and even silver can help save you effort and money in creating a wise portfolio.

Sold on the notion of buying gold in Canada? Unsure about the best method of getting your hands on a few? This guide can allow you to realize how to purchase real gold from Canada. To begin with there are a couple of alternatives for purchasing gold normally that may be acceptable for you. Below, I’ll walk through the very best ways of how to purchase real gold from Canada.

The very ideal selection for you might not be exactly the exact same as for me personally due to our exceptional financial goals and individual lifestyle options. While only about nobody will whine about acquiring gold for a present, preferences for your design change. Secondly, one of the numerous methods of purchasing real gold, a few are usually cheaper in some time frames. I am going to explain why due fine (99.9%) gold bullion–proceed to get a fast breakdown of what’s silver –for example, is normally safer in contrast to semi-fine (less than 99.9%) gold.

What Options Are There in Purchasing Gold in Canada?

To get a more thorough overview of the various alternatives, you may want to consider how to purchase gold (that literally means achat or in French) in Canada, normally. I love to divide gold investing in three easy schools. They’re buying:

  1. The actual item (bullion – coins/bars);
  2. Something which possesses the actual item (ETF – exchange-traded fund);
  3. Or something that’s influenced by the actual thing (purchasing stock in gold-producing businesses ).

Of these various schools of thought, I’m a firm believer in “1. Invest in the actual item,” and here is why.

There are just two and a half means to invest directly from actual gold. You can do this by purchasing physical gold, so you can purchase a contract valued in gold, and eventually you can buy a part of ownership in something which owns gold. In the first scenario, you can put money into silver or gold non-fine gold. The next means is to purchase a contract like a contract for the future purchase price of gold at a particular cost. Eventually, they can purchase into a fund that owns valuable metals, even though that’s more of “2. Purchase something which possesses the actual thing.”

ETFs are resources that are handled by golden specialists, which means that you stand a better prospect of earning money than you would by yourself. The cost of gold will continually have an effect on gold ETFs. In the end, ETFs do not really own gold. They simply trade at a golden indicator like the CBOE Gold Index, for instance. The inventory of gold-producing businesses relies on the organization’s individual performance, instead of the operation of gold as a product.

Why am I focusing on the best way best to obtain physical gold in Canada? As a firm believer in precious metals as a hedge, the physical stone has a couple of benefits such as (but not confined to) the next. These start with this simple fact that you simply hold it there are not any intermediaries to possession. Secondly, physical gold could be marketed to nearly anybody, anywhere. That doubles when it’s fine bullion that arrives out of an LBMA accredited refinery. At length, real gold is a whole lot more privacy-respecting than some of those other selections out there.

 

ALSO READ: Do The Early Work of Investing For Your Future

 

Which Are The Basic Actions To Purchase Real Gold in Canada?

Simply place, you wander in the golden shop and cover it. Well, it is not that simple. Allow me to break down the sentence for you. To begin with, “walk to” may mean that you locate a neighborhood gold trader or much more generally that you purchase gold on the internet. Secondly, “the golden shop” may be a valuable metals trader, a bank, or possibly a jeweler. Third, “cover it” may mean anything from money to a cable transfer. A complete load of variables will find out that for you, from the place to the sum you purchase.

Actually, the very first step to purchasing gold is locating a trusted supplier. You want to locate a business that provides competitive and affordable rates, superb customer support, and secure delivery (or possibly reliable storage solutions). There are various businesses with a superb reputation in Canada, and you have the chance to purchase elsewhere. I’ve not ever seen a lender beat anybody’s prices and very honestly the choice and wait times are still so dreadful. In reality, I’ve obtained bank-branded valuable metals more economical from traders than in the banks.

After locating your trader and prior to buying your gold, then you need to make a decision as to what kind of gold you want, for example, gold bars or coins. You’ll also have to choose what mint’s, e.g. that the Royal Canadian Mint, or even Refiner’s, e.g. Republic Metals Corp., the merchandise you would like. Just make sure you steer clear of purchasing post-office coins to your very own budget.

A Primer on Several Kinds of Gold

There are a variety of benefits of purchasing coins over bars, and also vice-versa. You’ll have to educate yourself on the best choices out there. There’s not any true right or wrong response on which you purchase. It only depends on what you actually prefer.

Much like any investment, there are numerous elements to take into account like the worth of your investment, as your merchandise premiums, the length of time you intend on maintaining it, and in which you plan on keeping it. Coins are generally slightly pricier than gold bars, but they’re easier to shop for. Many traders enjoy their beauty and lack over what they do to gold bars. Therefore, you might locate them easier to market at a top cost.

The American Eagle gold bullion gold along with Canadian Maple Leaf gold coins will be the most commonly-traded therefore it’s going to be easy to market these once the time arrives to do so. But, Canadians cried: American golden eagles aren’t nice (99.9%) gold bullion. Instead, they’re produced from 22K (99.17%) stone. Therefore, they’re not regarded as investment goods and therefore are subject to Canadian sales taxation.

What is more, the 0.9999 Canadian Maple Leaf is possibly the most famous bullion of all, so this might be an additional consideration.

All these are generally provided as 1oz coins, also you’ll be able to purchase as many as you need. You’ll have to choose whether you’ll save the golden yourself or cover it in order for it to be kept in a vault. Traditional vaulting services could be expensive, but you can have the ability to detect a cheaper option, like an in-home bank or safe.

Premiums

A superior is an added price charged over the gold spot price. Reputable silver traders charge investors little percentage premiums. The best approach to prevent paying premiums is to purchase gold bars rather than coins. This is a result of the bigger unit dimensions since it cost significantly less to manufacture. It cost the exact identical amount to purchase a 1-kilo bar as to purchase 10 100g gold bars for the specific same reason. As a hint, if you intend on maintaining your gold for quite a while, then bigger gold bars are all advisable.

Additionally, consider whether you would like to purchase insurance in your investment. This is normally recommended when keeping your precious metals in the home.

With this information available, you can purchase whatever gold bullion you’re comfortable possessing. Diversification is vital in this market because it’s in any other sort of investment. Look at mixing and matching different choices.

By studying many distinct traders, you’ll have the ability to find a good idea of the choices that are available to you.

 

British-Owned NatWest Group to Brand All Debit Cards as Mastercards

The majority British-owned NatWest Group, recently announced that all its banking brands will be converting and issuing debit cards using the Mastercard label.

The move indicates Mastercard’s drive in ramping up its operations not only across the UK, but also in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The NatWest-Mastercard agreement will cover approximately 16 million debit cards already issued by NatWest Banks, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Coutts snd Ulster Bank.

Although Mastercard is generally known as a credit card company, the firm prefers to be recognized for its technology and capability to provide global payment services.That being the case, it continues to work with financial and banking institutions that in turn offer the Mastercard brand to clients and customers through issuances of credit, debit and prepaid cards.

Mastercard Deemed as a Perfect Match for the NatWest Group

Since the Natwest Group offers both personal and business banking brands as well as insurance and corporate financing, Mastercard’s global payments technology can strategically connect NatWest banks and its brands, to different institutions transacting with consumers, merchants, government offices and other financial organizations.

Mastercard’s popularity led to the growth of its global base; building a vast network of merchants, settlement banks and financial institutions whose end users have expressed satisfaction. The global payments company takes pride that the seamlessness of completing a Mastercard transaction is due to the fact that processing takes only mere milliseconds.

The Pros Of Hiring A Debt Collection Agency

Your client previously assured you that your invoice will be paid, however they leave the invoice unpaid and ignore and don’t respond to your letters and calls. When you have exerted all possible measures to get paid, what else can you do? One of the best options to consider is to hire an experienced debt collection agency as they are aware of and understand the different laws and legalities in order to quickly and effectively recover what is due to you.

Hiring A Professional Debt Collection Agency – The Benefits

For your business or company to remain afloat, you need to collect the payments for the services you have rendered or the products that you have sold. Sadly, not every customer or client that you have are reliable. Running a business isn’t easy and you might not have all the time to check all unpaid invoices, send letters and make calls as attempts to collect these delinquent debts. The older these delinquent debts get, the more difficult it will be for you to collect them. If your demands are of no avail, hiring a professional debt collection agency, like Frontline Collections,  could be very beneficial and helpful for your company or business. While someone else does the collection for you, you bring back your attention and concentration to running your business.

How is a professional debt collection agency beneficial to your business? Let’s have a look at some of the advantages:

Legal Protection

At present, there are numerous laws that regulate and govern the industry of debt collection, and customers or clients who know their rights can sue if they believe it were violated. Experienced debt collection agencies are aware of this that is why they are well-informed of these laws and regulations. When you hire a professional collection agency to retrieve debts that are unpaid, you eliminate the possibilities of legal risks that are involved when trying to collect these debts.

Comprehensive Documentation

Debt collection agencies make a comprehensive record of the process when they communicate with customers or clients with unpaid debts. If in the future you decide to take legal action against a debtor, the agency you hired will have a detailed record of all the times they have attempted to communicate with the debtor. These records will be used in court to show the extensive efforts of the collector to retrieve the debt. Furthermore, if the debt was claimed in the form of tax deduction, this documentation is needed for tax files. If the IRS does an audit, you will have a detailed documentation to show.

Successful Debt Retrieval Rate

Experienced debt collection agencies who have a very satisfactory debt retrieval rate can increase your chances of being able to collect unpaid debts. Your principal focus is to effectively run your business, a debt collection agency’s is to successfully collect delinquent debts. With a very satisfactory debt recovery rate, you can be certain that these agencies have the best practices and techniques to effectively and legally carry out the job.

Car Crash Injury Claims in France : How French Magistrates Decide on Lawsuits

In France, claiming compensation to recover medical expenses and costs of damages as a result of a car collision is largely based on the theory of negligence. However, since French laws require all motor vehicles to have at least third party liability insurance coverage, the insurance provider assumes responsibility in the payment of such claims.

That is why in France, any dispute over claims for personal injury cost-recovery involves the car insurance provider as the party responsible for all personal injury claims.

When the amount of damages being recovered by the aggrieved party becomes an issue, the matter may be brought to the local Tribunal d’Instance. If an appeal is made, further legal actions are filed with the regional Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI). These judicial courts handle the civil lawsuits filed by private individuals in relation to assertion of civil rights.

However, the French judicial system works differently in hearing civil litigation over personal injury claims. No oral testimonies are required in determining the negligence on the part of the driver, as police investigations have already established the party at fault in a car collision. In personal injury lawsuits, only the amount of compensation is resolved in court. If a car crash resulted in death, litigation of the driver at fault will take place in another judicial branch in charge of handling criminal cases.

How French Magistrates Decide on Personal Injury Lawsuits

In settling the settlement dispute, the Magistrate assigns a medical expert who is neutral to both parties, to evaluate the nature of the bodily injuries suffered by the plaintiff from the car crash. On claims of compensation to recover cost of damages, other experts are designated to assess the economic issues related to the damaged property.

The court-appointed experts will then submit reports to the Magistrate, while both parties may also submit their comments and observations to point out possible discrepancies. Based on the Magistrate’s own assessment of the expert-reports and of the observations of both parties, awarding the amount being claimed by the plaintiff will be decided. Not unless the Magistrate finds it necessary to assign another set of neutral experts before making a decision.

Generally, insurance companies negotiate for a settlement before the case is actually brought to court as a way to avoid hefty litigation costs. Yet some insurance companies may regard threats of litigation as mere intimidation that will not follow through, especially if the claimant does not have the economic means to do so.

Still, in such cases, a personal injury claimant can obtain financial support from any of the best companies for lawsuit funding doing business in France. After all, lawsuit loans do not require putting up a collateral or require payment of front-end fees. No monthly amortizations are collected either.

Full settlement of the loan plus interests will be taken from the proceeds of the settlement once the Magistrate awards the amount. If by some stroke of misfortune the Magistrate decides otherwise, the lawsuit lending company will not collect payment from the plaintiff.

Today’s Consumers Consider Fintech Apps as Trustworthy

The pandemic and the need to stay quarantined prompted many people to search for mobile banking applications to use in the first 4 months of the year 2020, As the COVID-19 worsened, the demand for smooth and easy-to-use digital applications intensified; while the number of people using fintech apps have increased worldwide by more than a hundred percent.

Today, it has become apparent that consumers are becoming more trusting of fintech companies. Mainly because their apps are more focused on the delivery of satisfactory digital experience when providing the needs of mobile app users. The successful fintech companies nowadays, are in fact more keen on investing on innovations to improve their products and in instituting transparency in their services.

That being the case, these companies are well-prepared in satisfying the needs and expectations of their customers. Financial experts consider it noteworthy that decision-makers in the traditional financial industry are now embracing the use of disruptive technologies introduced by fintech companies.

Two Examples of Successful Fintech Apps that Focus on User Convenience

Below are two key players in the fintech industry who have achieved great results in their approach of focusing on user convenience and experience:

Grupo Financiero Actinver – Dinn App

While Grupo Financiero Actinver is already an established traditional bank in Mexico, the company still looked for ways to attract the new generation of customers who haven’t tried their hand at investing. The company’s marketing team recommended that the best way to achieve such a goal is to create an app that would give the smooth experience tech-savvy consumers look for in mobile banking apps.

In 2018, the company created a financial services app called Dinn, which targeted the younger generation of investors who have yet to learn how to effectively invest whatever little money they can spare. Using Google’s acquisition tools, Actinver was able to cost effectively build a financial services app designed to help the new breed of young Mexican investors.

The bank’s investing services required lower funnel actions as they reduce the number of options for their first-time investors, in terms of bonds, stocks, and mutual funds. Since Dinn is a digitally native financial brand, it is well positioned to meet the expectations of Mexico’s new breed of customers.

In the U.S., the most successful developer of this disruptive type of financial application is the Robinhood Markets fintech.

Greenlight

Greenlight is the consumer application focused on enhancing digital experience for children, by educating them early on about managing personal finances. The Greenlight app allows parents to monitor their children’s allowances and on how much they have learned from knowing the essentials of properly handling personal finances.

The company made sure that the app is greatly focused in providing user analytics, decision-making tools, and data infrastructure by harnessing Google Analytics. Moreover, observance of privacy regulations is assured as the Greenlight app was developed using Google’s comprehensive app development platform Firebase.

As a note, early success denotes that by word-of-mouth endorsements and exposure to the public, fintech apps are regarded as trustworthy. Nowadays fintech apps recommended by family members or relatives are regarded as 1.6x more reliable that those received as financial advice from other consumers,

POGOs Also Experiencing Financial Difficulties Due to Global Economic Crisis

Several Southeast Asian countries that invested in land based casinos to boost their tourism industry suffered from fallouts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic Yet one Southeast Asian country that benefited from the turn of events is the Philippines. Mainly because several years prior to the pandemic, the country had established itself as a regulatory haven for Asia-facing online gambling operators, officially known as POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).

Through its economic zones and gambling regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Philippine government allowed numerous existing providers like Playtech and Realtime Gaming to establish their base of operations on Philippine soil so they can better serve their Asian customers. The move also encouraged numerous Asian entrepreneurs to invest in online gambling products, services and technologies.

Playtech and Real Time Gaming, by the way, provide the online casino games offered by a popular Asian online casino which mainly operates by way of downloadable mobile phone applications

At the height of the global pandemic lockdowns, several POGOs were able to obtain PAGCOR’s approval in allowing them to operate and keep their online casino sites running. PAGCOR’s grant of approval however, depended on a POGO’s compliance with the health and safety measures and more importantly, on up-to-date payment of regulatory fees and tax obligations. After all, the ensuing lockdown measure imposed globally was an opportunity that POGOs could not let pass, as Asian gamblers were showing increased interests in online gambling entertainment.

Success of PAGCOR POGOs Spurred Calls for Increased Taxation Among Philippine Lawmakers

In 2019, the Philippines had established itself as a world leader in regulated online gambling, for being able to collect as much Php 8 billion (USD 164.3 million) in revenues from POGOs. In seeing the profitability of the POGO industry, several Philippine lawmakers called for proposals to increase the tax rates imposed on offshore online gambling operators.

However, the move elicited warning from PAGCOR President and Chief Operating Office, Alfredo C Lim, for the government to refrain from overtaxing POGOs as doing so would drive away offshore gambling operators. Mr. Lim asserted that in addition to taxes on offshore gaming revenues, the Philippines is also benefiting from rentals of high-end commercial space and availability of local employment opportunities.

PAGCOR and Its POGOs are Currently Dealing with Declining Revenues

True enough since the economies of neighboring Asian countries have been hurt by the pandemic, even POGOs are experiencing decline in revenues. PAGCOR’s latest report stated that POGO revenues had plummeted by as much as 80%. That is why only 111 of the 218 accredited POGO firms operating in the country were able to secure clearance from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

A BIR clearance denotes that all fees and taxes due, including the monthly regulatory fees collected by PAGCOR, have been settled. PAGCOR continued to require it as a condition before they can resume operations, after the government eased down on lockdown orders for nonessential businesses

Moreover, Jose Tria, PAGCOR’s AVP for Offshore Gaming Licensing, reported that as many as 42 online gambling service providers have withdrawn their PAGCOR accreditation, another five (5) POGO licenses were canceled, while five (5) other licenses are currently suspended.

As a result, the monthly regulatory fees collected from POGOs that usually amounted to Php 600 million (US$12.4 million) is now down to nearly half, or Php 300 million (US$6.2 million). As several POGO offices are now closing down, even the related income from real estate leases and other businesses that benefited from POGO foreign workers, are reporting declines in revenue.

Understanding the sectors of economy

In the economy, industry and commerce are divided into different areas, called sectors. This term can be derived from the Latin word “sector” and literally means “something that cuts”. A sector is therefore a section, you can also say an area.

Different sectors in the economy

The primary sector

It comprises the original production, also called primary production. This means that in this area, the raw materials are extracted and delivered for further processing. So this is about the procurement of unprocessed goods directly from nature. The first sector includes agriculture, fishing, forestry, hunting, and the extraction of natural resources such as coal. The primary sector is therefore associated with a lot of physical work. It is also said that the sector is “labor-intensive”.

The secondary sector

This is also called the industrial sector. As the name suggests, the focus is on the industry. This is where the raw materials from the first sector are processed. In addition to industry, this area also includes craft, energy and water supply, and the construction industry. The secondary sector, therefore, needs a lot of machines and the raw materials for further use. Because the raw materials and the machines for processing must be purchased, a lot of capital, i.e. money, has to be raised. Forex brokers here can give an aid.

The tertiary sector

This is also called the service sector. In the third area, the goods are distributed and consumed. All professions that cannot be assigned to the first two sectors fall under this area. Banks, trade, administration, doctors, journalists, lawyers, hospitality, insurance, cultural workers, and many others make up the service sector. This means that this sector is, above all, very labor-intensive, so you need a lot of workers.

The Quaternary sector or also known as the information sector

However, the use of the term in economy is not uniform. According to one definition, this includes activities from the tertiary sector that require a lot of responsibility or require high intellectual abilities – such as consulting activities such as lawyers, business consultants, medical and educational professions or professions in information and cutting-edge technology such as computer or biotechnology.

Affordable Marketing Approaches without Breaking Your Budget

Almost always, starting your business from scratch is the most difficult and challenging part. While it is definitely an achievement to be celebrated, a true business owner knows that this is just the beginning of everything. If you wish to see long-term success, then you need to keep on growing your business and increase sales just as what DominoQQ is doing with theirs. Majority of the businesses do fail just because they lack of funds.

Obviously, it is easy to say to increase sales but during these times of pandemic, we know how hard it can be. As a matter of fact, 38 percent of the small businesses operating in the US say that they are not entirely confident with their financial state because of Covid19. There are a lot of businesses that are struggling to hire a marketing team even in their peak performance. But you need to know that not all marketing and advertising campaigns should be costly.

It doesn’t have to be Expensive

There are creative and at the same time, low-cost approaches that will generate customers.

Number 1. Encourage Customer Reviews

Getting customer reviews in your store is vital in helping you gain a better understanding of your clients and on how to reach them. Also, they can provide credibility to your business. Of course, the more the positive reviews you get, the more customers you can attract and transact with you. Connecting your business listing with free Google My Business profile is one way of getting reviews.

This makes it a lot easier for customers to drop Google reviews and build rapport by simply responding to it. Besides, your profile will increase its visibility on Google Maps and Search, which is perfect for local search and foot traffic.

Number 2. Customer Loyalty

Your business has no better resources than existing customers. And mind you, it is easier to keep them than attracting new ones. There are numerous ways that you can promote customer loyalty and among the most effective is by providing outstanding customer service. Even if other businesses beat you in terms of pricing, providing a better and personalized service can go a long way in attracting and retaining customers.

Number 3. Content Marketing

An awesome way of promoting your business is via content marketing. Basically, this is any fresh and informative content created that is focused on showcasing your services, products or expertise. In this modern era, online content can be anything from article submissions, video posts or making blogs.

Fintech Lenders : When the Need for Extra Funds is Immediate

It is now apparent that the stimulus loans offered by the government are not as readily available and/or workable, as funding options for needy entrepreneurs.

While the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) of the CARES Act immediately grants $10,000 to successful applicants, many encountered difficulties in preparing and obtaining documents required for speedy and successful processing of their stimulus loan application.

When it became apparent that as the 2020 health crisis will drag on, it became clear for many entrepreneurs that the fastest way they can secure a loan is through fintech lenders. Small businesses have come to realize that in order to survive, they need to immediately bring their business online, incorporate e-commerce technologies as well as launch promotional and marketing campaigns.

However, they need to have additional personal financial resources, if they need to spend extra on restarting their business online.

The PPP charges only 1% of the unforgiven loan balance in case business owners do not meet the requirements to qualify for the forgiveness of loan balance. Yet for entrepreneurs whose need for funding is immediate, competing with the multitude seeking to obtain a PPP loan can be a long and arduous task. That is why many turned to fintech lenders instead.

Who are the Fintech Lenders?

Fintech lenders are companies that utilize Artificial Intelligence, big data, the power of the Internet and partnerships with traditional financial institutions in offering personal or even mortgage loans. Through innovative technologies, fintech lenders have eliminated the need to process loan applications using outdated and complicated methods.

Some examples of today’s leading fintech lenders include:

TALA – Santa Monica, California

Through a consumer-lending app, TALA underwrites loans based on data provided by app-users’ smartphones or smart devices. Examples of data used in determining a Tala loan-applicant’s credit-worthiness include bill payments, social media connections and activities. So far, TALA reports that the company has assisted more than 3 billion new users in obtaining personal loans that will help them build their credit. .

AVANT – Chicago, Illinois

Using its fintech technologies, AVANT offers consumers the Avantcard that enables customers to obtain credit for small shopping purchases or larger loans for emergency needs, home repair or a vacation trip.

BRAVIANT HOLDINGS – Chicago, Illinois

Like TALA and AVANT, Braviant Holdings uses technology and big data analytics in verifying and processing applications that allow the company to make quick decisions. Unlike other fintechs, Braviant Holdings cater mostly to under-banked people, providing them with credit cards to use like Balance Credit and Chorus.

What Factors Affect Changes In Exchange Rates?

The forex is particularly determined by supply and demand. The exchange rate largely depends on them. This is particularly dramatic when, for example, fund companies, banks or entire countries carry out large enough trades in one go. Then the price can suddenly rise suddenly or drop just as suddenly.

Foreign exchange rates are of great importance for all traders in the forex market. So it is important to know the factors that make an impact on the exchange rate.

What influences Foreign Exchange Rate?

The developments in the market. This can be read on a so-called chart. It shows the price trends graphically in a line chart. Brokers like Pepperstone (read Pepperstone broker review) need such charts for their work. You can use them to read the exchange rates and use them as the basis for your future forecast. The finance experts try to read trends in the chart analysis.

Political decisions or elections. The influence of elections can currently be seen very well in the US dollar. Since Donald Trump’s election in November, the dollar has lost value steadily against the euro. In addition, since Trump’s election as president, Mexico has had to throw hundreds of millions of dollars in the market to counter the fall in the price of the peso, fueled by protectionist tones. Fortunately, from Mexico’s perspective, this was possible thanks to large currency reserves.

International crises. In contrast, the consequences of the nuclear dispute with North Korea remained unexpected. While foreign trade and foreign investment declined sharply, the South Korean Wong was relatively unimpressed.

Events in the economy. If, for example, a change occurs at the top of large automobile manufacturers, technology or energy groups, this can also affect the exchange rate if the company is large enough. But the publication of annual figures for important companies can also have a major impact. The change in price can first be seen in the leading indices of the shares.

Natural disasters. Natural disasters and environmental events can also have a significant impact on the currency market. When hurricane Irma headed for Florida, the dollar reacted immediately. Investors feared high losses from the storm, with insurers currently facing $ 40 billion in costs. But when the storm lost strength, the dollar regained strength.
Consumer climate and trade index. Both economic indicators make it possible to forecast the near future economic future of a country. This in turn is decisive for the strength of its currency.

Commodity / oil prices. Commodity prices in general and in particular the prices of crude oil and natural gas also play an outstanding role for the foreign exchange market.

Capital movements. In the case of capital flows, the proportion of underlying real economic transactions has fallen to up to 10%. The lion’s share is speculation. As a result, the stock exchanges are also price drivers. Here, however, it is true that a weak stock market leads to rising prices because investors are fleeing into fixed-income alternatives. It is therefore worth taking a look at the most important stock markets with regard to forex trading.

Monetary policy. The currency policies of individual countries can also lead to price movements that are difficult to predict. In addition to Mexico, Russia and China have recently had to throw large amounts of US securities on the market to strengthen their currencies. While it may be predictable that these steps would be necessary, the exact timing is difficult to estimate.

Conclusion

The list could go on and on. The slightest tremor can upset the markets and start huge flows of capital. Sometimes you expect them and then they stay away. The forex market is very complex and certainly not for beginners. On the one hand there are quick and high winnings, on the other hand the tide can turn quickly and everything is lost. It is therefore advisable to deal with the matter in detail beforehand before engaging in forex trading on the forex market .

Basics of Improving Your Odds of Getting Low Auto Loan

One of the biggest expenses that someone would ever make in their life is buying a car. This is why many are trying to look for lån uten kredittsjekk og sikkerhet and buy car at the lowest interest with easiest payment terms. Let us face it, there are few lucky individuals who are well-off and can buy a car with any problem at all.

But most people on the other hand are depending on car loans to buy cars, which become more of a necessity than a “want”. Car loans are just like any other loans. It comes for a price and it must be your best interest to keep it low cost. This is why finding low car loans are vital. It will be ideal if you would find an online loan calculator to figure out the best combination of interest rate, loan period and also, amount of loan.

What Affects the Rates of Your Auto Loan?

You can achieve low car loans assuming that the lender personally lowered the rates for auto loan, which is practically, the interest rate they charge. Majority of the car loans are unsecured and because of that, the lender is assessing the borrower’s creditworthiness by checking and reviewing their credit before granting the loan.

Now let us say that the credit score is good and acceptable, the lender will have confidence that there’s little risk to approve the loan and that their money would be safe. With this in mind, the lender will be pleased to lower the loan interest to the applicant. Otherwise, then the lender will be covering the risk of granting the loan and may not be so lenient in offering low interests.

Therefore, it is vital to have good credit score to be able to acquire low car loans. With this in mind, it is going to be helpful if you would fix your credit score and maintain a good one as well before you pass an application for auto loan. If for example that you have poor credit history, you can try fixing it by doing timely payments and get any mistakes you made in the past rectified.

Debt to Income Ratio

This is another aspect that can impact your loan rates. To improve this, you have to ensure that your credit limits are lower than what is approved for your max amount. Additionally, you must keep all previously paid off accounts open and never close them because zero balance open accounts are quite helpful in trying to maintain healthy debt to income ratio.

Fintechs Provide Tools to Help SMEs, Gig Workers

While financial technology companies are themselve getting hit by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, yet several UK fintech innovators are helping small businesses stay afloat.

In recent years and all across the globe, fintech companies have been developing new applications or financial resources to help consumers and small entrepreneurs organise and improve finances. They have managed to ruffle the feathers of traditional banks and other lending institutions, by providing consumers and business startups with agile technologies and solutions for obtaining funds.

Although financial technology companies are not immune to the disruptions caused by the current coronavirus health crisis, some have shown concern on the impact of the current crisis on small businesses in the UK. Many fintechs are currently focused on providing quick solutions that can help small players obtain the government funding relief they need in the fastest and surest ways possible.

Solution Provided by Fintechs to Gig Workers and Independent Solo Entrepreneurs

UK fintechs, many of them volunteers, have been developing new tools aligned with economic relief programs that the UK government launched in helping consumers, gig workers and solo-proprietors of small businesses. Below are some examples:

Starling Bank

Starling Bank, a UK licensed and regulated bank that operates digitally and only by way of mobile devices, recently rolled out the “Connected Card.” It works as an emergency debit card that enables a Starling Account Holders restricted by orders for self-isolation, to extend the use of his or her account, not just to family members but even to carers and friends, so they can purchase essential items on the account holder’s behalf.

The Starling account holder is protected by limiting the Connected Card balance to £200; whist allowing him or her to track and manage use of the extended card, by way of a related mobile app.

“Covid Credit”

Several dozens of UK fintechs came forward to render volunteer work in helping build an application that enabled gig workers, freelancers and self-employed individuals to self-certify their lost income. The certification, being a document required by the UK government in processing applications for economic relief.

“Coronavirus Calculator”

Developers at Countingup, touted as the leading provider of agile solutions for banking and accounting needs of small business in the UK, came out with Countingup. This app enables self-employed individuals to immediately determine how much financial relief they could obtain from the UK government’s coronavirus funding program for small businesses ran by solo proprietors.

“Coronavirus Furlough HMRC Claim Calculator”

Pento, creator of automated payroll tools specifically for use of startup small businesses, created the “Coronavirus Furlough HMRC Claim Calculator.” This tool helps startup entrepreneurs determine how much they can claim as financial relief from the UK government under the “Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.” The government program intends to help employers of small businesses keep workers employed instead of making them take a leave of absence.

Financial Assistance For Small To Medium Businesses Affected By Covid-19

Small businesses are among the industries that are most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. To address this, the U.S. Small and Medium Business Administration provides economic relief loans. While these financial aid loans can be an important step for businesses looking to survive their business, the Small Business Administration says it is essentially looking at more plans to assist small businesses throughout the country by enlisting an authorized lender to provide additional loans.

Trump: We’ll Be ‘Making Lots Of Small Business Loans’ Amid Coronavirus Spread | NBC News NOW

The U.S. Small and Medium Business Administration defines small businesses as those with 500 employees or less. The only businesses to be excluded are lenders, gambling agencies or any type of speculative industry.

Businesses may apply for loans of up to $ 2 million at a rate of 3.75% for up to 30 years, but the SBA explained this is not the only plan under consideration to support the current economic climate.

“They are yet talking about this. There are numerous matters, and I can not guess what it’s going to be but I’m sure these negotiations are going on,” said department manager Steve Bugler. “The president, lawmakers, and the SBA are working together on this. “

Since no one knows how long this outbreak flu will last, the overall economic effect of the virus is unknown. Visit the SBA website for more information. Or you may call their direct number also found on their website.

Additional Financial Assistance From The SBA

There will be more financial assistance in the future through SBA loans given to SMEs. The White House declared that the SBA would give lower interest lending options to SMEs impacted by the Coronavirus, and on March 11 asked Congress to raise its $ 50 billion budget.

It is unclear which companies are eligible for financing or which loan programs are available. Contact your SBA regional office for the most recent info.

During the outbreak of the corona pandemic, are financial institutions ready to give assistance?

If you currently have a business loan and run a business within an affected region, you don’t have to stress about repayments being missed. Loan providers including Bank of America and Wells Fargo have issued statements that indicate they are ready to work with borrowers. Deferment or possible reduction of amount due may be an option as a result of the coronavirus incident. Check with the lender for available options.

Grants offered to businesses impacted by the coronavirus

Some local governing bodies like New York and firms like Amazon have begun providing cash aid to businesses impacted by the Coronavirus. These subsidies are smaller than standard loans and are restricted to businesses in a few areas. Grants offered by Amazon are available only to businesses in Seattle.

You can check with your local business unit to find out which big companies are providing grants in your area of business. The basic concept of some personal subsidies is to offset the income losses that some businesses may face after the company has a mandatory homework policy.

The Impact Of Corona Virus On Economies Throughout The World

The corona epidemic reveals how susceptible the network of economies is throughout the world. The main challenge started in China, however, it has spread and made a huge impact on American, European, and German companies. Technically throughout the global market.

Europe is feeling the effect of the Corona spread. Italy shows what could also come up in Germany. The virus, Corona is less fatal than any other previous epidemics. On the other hand, the virus is beginning to bring economic operations to a halt.

Coronavirus Affecting Economies and Businesses Around the World

Investors Are Alarmed

The financial market has been alarmed by the pandemic resulting in a market panic. Many investors including those who were eyeing on Canadian stocks to buy came to a standstill.

In China, besides the insufficiency of factory workers, there is also an issue on travel where truck drivers are not allowed to work and possibly fear to work. There had been traffic on the transportation of goods in significant regions of the country. For many weeks, operations have stopped, containers weren’t moved from the ports and therefore there was no movement from the factories to the shops.

The government in China is currently hoping to get people to return to work. This makes it possible for production to start in considerably less infected districts, even though the full potential could hardly be reached. This approach is supposed to stop the country’s overall economy from falling apart entirely and therefore placing the strength of the Communist Party in danger. Even so, it is utterly uncertain if the crisis in the nation is coming in order. Through these measures, however, there is a great danger that the virus will spread again.

The scenario in China and, recently, in Europe, investors in the financial markets became worried about the possible losses due to the pandemic compared to the 2008 financial crisis. The turmoil is not yet similar to the pressure of the tragedy at that time, however, the corona epidemic contains the possibility for a downturn that has not taken place since the monetary crisis. It is similar that a financial shock brought on by the virus could impact the world as a whole as it did.

A Total Unfavorable Scenario

Following the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in 2008, it has become clear how highly networked and connected the financial world was as it is still at this time. Today in the midst of the Corona turmoil we observe the tight connection of global industries in terms of production, logistics, as well as services.

The world hopes that the virus will come to a halt before it infects the entire world. Even with a low fatality rate, the number can increase into thousands. In addition, an outbreak could place the global economy in an exceedingly critical turmoil, considering a range of bankruptcies and people losing their jobs. Likely countermeasures are being outlined and solutions should be in place before everything goes out of hand.

What are Fintechs? Why are They Creating a Buzz in the Financing Industry?

Fintech is short for financial technology now used in referring to companies that harness advancements in financial technologies, in providing financial services that were traditionally provided only by banking institutions.

Actually, fintechs are now at the stage where they are competing with banks in delivering fast and easy to avail financial services, which ordinary consumers can access by way of smartphones and mobile banking systems.

Many startup fintech companies made waves in 2005, 2006 and 2011 when they ventured into offering student loans. Those were the periods when the general public started to lose trust in banks.

To date, several fintech companies like Lending Club, Prosper and SoFi have expanded, furnishing not only student loans. Currently, they are also offering personal loans, home mortgages, equity loans, as well as offer savings,retirement and trading accounts and investment options.

Already servicing several millions of customers between them, these fintech companies can fund as much as $3 billion to $11 billion worth of loans to the general public on a yearly basis.

Yet that would make you pause and ask, “If they are technology companies, are they licensed to offer loans in accordance with government banking regulations?”

“Are their savings and investment offers backed by insurance agreements like those under the traditional Federal Deposit Insurance Coverage (FDIC)?”

Moreover, “Who provide the funding that fintechs loan out?” After all, fintech companies do not have the same business models as banks, in which the latter lends funds as a way of investing deposits placed by customers.

Forbes Conducts Its Own Investigations on How Fintechs Work

Last December 31, 2019, Forbes Magazine published an article that explains how fintechs operate and who provides the funding. The investigation zeroed in on an FDIC-insured and licensed charter bank called Cross River.

Apparently, Cross River also started out as a traditional bank, which financial technology company called Greensky resuscitated when the bank started failing as aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

At that time, Greensky, while still a financial technology development company, was already offering no-interest loans. Greensky offered those loans to property owners who wanted to add home improvements to make heir property highly vendable in the real estate market.

Greensky owner David Zalik later approached Gilles Gade, a French immigrant who until now serves as the CEO of Cross River Bank. Through the charter bank, Gade provided funds for loans originated by GreenSky. At that time, the general public had lost trust on bank-funded loans, while financial technology companies like Greensky offered alternatives.

Sure enough, Cross River became one of several charter banks that grew, by funding loans underwritten for fintech companies. After all, financial technologies now include artificial intelligence (AI) in determining, assessing and managing the risks involved in loan operations.

Many call the funding provided by licensed charter banks as peer-to-peer funding. However, Andrew Marquardt of Middlemarch Partners and former New York Fed told Forbes that investors look at fintech companies as banks. Marquardt corrected this view by saying

”They are just tech companies that leverage technology in furthering an old-school bank solution known as business or consumer lending

Understanding FOREX before Starting with a Trade

Everyone would almost agree that FOREX is a global marketplace. Sellers and buyers are converging from all parts of the world and taking part in trades amounting to trillions of dollars a DAY! Given that FOREX trading becomes globalized activity and almost everyone is into it, it shows that macroeconomics event now has an even bigger role in foreign exchange than before.

As we push through on this article, we will be talking about few of the economic trends as well as events that’ll benefit those who’re new in the market. If you are serious to give this a shot, then see to it that you’ve given the time to understand the movement in this market.

Macroeconomics and FOREX

The market is mainly driven by the overarching factors of macroeconomics. These said factors are influencing the decision of a trader and ultimately, it determines the overall value of a given currency at any given period in time. A country’s economic health is a critical aspect in its currency value. The overall economic health however is then shaped by various events and information that might change on day to day basis, which later contributes to round the clock nature of international FOREX market.

How is FOREX Impacted by Capital Markets?

Perhaps, global capital markets are the most obvious FOREX indicators used in economy’s health. Meanwhile, bond and stock markets are more noticeable in the world. It’s quite hard to miss the release of public info in capital markets given that there’s constant media coverage and information on dealings of institutions, government entities as well as corporations.

Bond markets are critical too. It has a say as well on what’s happening in FOREX market for both currencies and fixed-income securities heavily rely on interest rates. Fluctuations of treasury price are factored in to the movements of currencies.

In other words, if there’s a change in yields, then it will affect the currency values directly. With this in mind, it is vital to have better understanding on how bonds, most especially governments are valued to be able to excel and succeed as a trader in foreign exchange.

FOREX and International Trade

The balance of trends and trade levels between nations are also a key aspect to be taken into account. Trade levels between nations do serve as proxy for relative demand of goods from nations. Nations with services or goods that command high demand in the international market are likely to have appreciation of currency.

Freeing Yourself from Scams Surrounding Cryptocurrency Market

It doesn’t matter if you do believe in cryptocurrency bubble or not, but one thing that most people would agree is that, investment frenzy are attracting untrustworthy people searching for their next trader greed. In this article, we will try to identify some scams while laying out steps that traders can take in order to be on the safe side whenever they’re trading cryptocurrency.

Scams in the Market

It is fairly easy to think that everyone becomes rich after investing in crypto such as Bitcoin. This is a poor mindset and many people have fallen into this misconception. As a result, there are tons of scammers that are taking advantage to lure traders with unscrupulous services and products which include the following:

Number 1. ICOs

This is known as Initial Coin Offering and is actually fundraising mechanisms that are often coupled to newly introduced cryptocurrencies. ICO investors receive tokens for their new venture. Believe it or not, investors have put ridiculous amount of money to over 1000 ICOs for the past several years.

While most ICOs are legitimate, many of it actually has no real technology to back them up or plans.

Number 2. Exchanges and Brokers are Unregulated

There are literally hundreds of brokerage firms and online exchanges that are unregulated and yet, they are offering cryptocurrency trading products and cryptocurrencies. Most of which are teaching to know the use of the best crypto bots for trading. For any suspecting investors, you should take a step back especially for promotions that seem too good to be true.

As soon as you have made a deposit, most of these firms are going to charge you with unbelievable commissions or perhaps, make it hard to withdraw your funds. In fact, worst offenders are just stealing your money.

Number 3. Bitcoin Trading Systems

Bitcoin’s volatility is such an extreme. It has even spawned wide industry of automated trading system. Promoters of the products are making claims that they have a way of beating the market by means of arbitraging prices between exchanges. As a smart trader, do not believe the HYPE!

Exchanges in Bitcoins oftentimes have expensive withdrawal procedures and high fees for trading it with fiat currencies like Euro or Dollar. Furthermore, the settlement trades may take hours. And all of these factors are going to eliminate profits from the Bitcoin arbitrage and could even result to your lost.

Safe Practices for Trading Coins

We’ve known that trading these coins come with a risk but there is a way to be the next victim for these scams. When trading cryptocurrencies, see to it that you invest money in what you could afford to lose, do thorough research before investing and the likes.

What To Do When Banks Turn You Down

When the banks turn you down for a loan, it’s not the end of the world. Here’s what you should do.

When you are in a tight situation facing legal and money issues. You may have applied for a loan to make ends meet but got denied. While the sum of money from your settlement takes too long to be approved pending legal cases, you can always consider pre-settlement loans like car accident cash advance in cases of auto accidents.

Review Your Circumstance

Find out why the loan application was denied. Lenders usually need to explain and request specific information, so there is no reason not to know.

General reasons why banks deny you a loan

Banks would like to look at good credit history, specifically good payer standing. On the other hand, if you have defaulted on a loan in the past, they will look at the circumstances that have caused these defaults. You can view your credit reports so that you have a guide on your credit history and explain the situation if you have faced such defaults. The good thing is that one you could improve your credit despite past defaults that reflect on your report.

In cases of home loans, loan providers are mandated by law to determine your capacity to pay. Many loan providers make use of a debt to income percentage to verify if you possibly could deal with the repayments after approval of the loan. They will evaluate your earnings, your expenses, and your repayments each month assuming the lowest payments possible. If banks think that you cannot afford another loan, then your application will be rejected. But if you are able to provide collateral as security, there is a high chance of approval.

Prior to resubmitting the loan application

A good tip to keep in mind when reapplying for a loan application, it is best to assess yourself the way lenders do. Look at your income if you have enough to make repayments and check any red flags showing in your credit. Ask your lender if there are any issues that may affect your second application.

First Steps

Do not assume any responsibility for computer errors or mistakes from other person’s actions. You have got the right to delete the error. The lender will see how much you have to pay back the debt each month, so lowering your monthly expense can make you look more like good a borrower.

Additionally, there are approaches you may use that come with an instant impact on your credit rating or can result in being qualified for the loan

Pledge a valuable asset to help you lay hold of the loan. Take challenges that are sensible. It isn’t worth making use of a home equity loan to cover a holiday or possibly an extravagant car.

With home and car loans, particularly, it is better to put these loan applications to a short-term window, 30 – 45 days at the lengthiest to reduce harm to your credit coming from way too many hard queries in rapid sequence.

Longer-Term Approaches To Improve Credit

This means that you will have to get a loan and making sure that you pay on time. By doing so, your credit will slowly but surely improve. As your credit improves, you will receive better rates of interest and lesser rebuffs in the years ahead. This does not automatically imply repaying 100 % of your debts, though that could be the ideal solution. Be sure to contact your lenders to see a repayment schedule, and get a printed agreement to take out unfavorable details out of your credit files.

Settling old debt increases your regular monthly cash flow that is readily available for new loans.

Financing Your Affiliate Marketing Business on a Digital Economy

Due to modernization and technological innovation, online business is really a predominant factor within the industry today. It just take a desktop, laptop or smart device and an internet connection to make this online business possible in the digital economy. A step-by-step learning process that can equip you with the appropriate knowledge and abilities is what you need to start the creation of your business journey. You drive for the development of your online business without the urgency to make your own product.

Affiliate marketing business

To be able to have an affiliate marketing business, you need to associate the following aspects:

  • Know the way of generating traffic
  • Create lists of high profile targeted subscribers
  • Interact with potential clients
  • Make websites
  • Advertise numbers of products with high-quality

Luckily, there are available affiliate programs that cater training and give emphasis on the development of those aspects mentioned above. There are even reviews of those affiliate programs that may help you on your business. One example is the reviews for Affiliate Institute and among the best reviews is the one from Deadline News.

Thus, all those can provide all the needed components to be a successful entrepreneur of the digital economy. Making use of the digital business offers an updated marketing education, first-rate product listing, most advanced level tools, great support system, and an avenue to helpful assistant to keep you closely monitor your business.

An excellent segment of the affiliate marketing business is that the companies or products that you can promote is limitless.

Being in this kind of business can allow you to meet marketing experts and professional business system professionals that can give helpful advise about running your affiliate marketing business. And this may be a part of your training as an affiliate marketer. In each training part, the tools will be provided in order to enhance your point of view and level up your business.

Engaging in different affiliate marketing programs is really advantageous. Meanwhile, below are the benefits that novice affiliate marketers can get from excellent affiliate programs:

1. Continuous Training

Affiliate marketing programs can give you comprehensive pile of video trainings, educational demos, and downloadable programs dedicated on online marketing and creation of online businesses.

2. Exclusive Business Mentor

In order to create your own online business successfully or level up your existing business without any hassle, an expert digital entrepreneur will be provided to guide you in every step of your online business creation. This is one of the important roles of a business consultant.

3. On-hand Digital Platform

A platform will be provided to serve as a tool and service provider. The services included contain but not limited to the following: website creation, web hosting, graphics production, report maker, tracking app, and landing page.

Brazil’s Congress Set to Undertake Deep Probe of the Country’s Cryptocurrency Market

Cryptocurrency news website Cointelegraph, reported that Brazililian lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution to launch an investigation into the country’s cryptocurrency market.

Congressman Aureo Ribeiro, instigated the request to formally task the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (PCI) to conduct the probe. The request came as a result of the widespread proliferation of cryptocurrency related fraud transpiring in Brazil. Congressional support for Ribeiro’s resolution is overwhelming, as the document was signed by 234 Congressmen, which exceeded the required minimum of 63 votes.

According to Cointelegraph, the approved resolution specifically named cryptocurrency operators Atlas Quantum and its CEO Rodrigo Marques, Trader Group and Zero 10 among many others, as needing thorough investigation.

The growing number of complaints put forward by people coming from all over Brazil, indicated that the proliferation of cryptocurrency-related fraud throughout the country, has reached epidemic proportions.

Congressman Ribeiro, who also authored a bill proposing for the regulation of Brazil’s cryptocurrency operations, wrote in the resolution that

”The lack of regulation and vigilance over the crypto market in Brazil presents potential risks to investors and users, as its operations combined with high levels of anonymity, abstraction, cross-border transactions and other peculiarities inherent to the cryptocurrency technology.”

The Brazilian congressman also explained in the resolution, why Atlas Quantum, once purported as the biggest cryptocurrency company in Brazil, calls for a deep probe.

The Main Problem with Atlas Quantum

Homegrown Brazilian cryptocurrency company Atlas Quantum, is currently facing financial problems and legal issues.

Last September 18, 2019, Atlas Quantum released a video to present itself as a robust company with more than $54 million in bitcoins to its name. However, Atlas made further claims that the exchange company HitBTC has frozen 1,862 BTC ($15.3 million) and over $5.4 million in stablecoin Tether (USDT) that Atlas allegedly maintains in three crypto accounts.

On October 05, 2019, HitBTC denied Atlas Quantum’s claim by informing investors that the said crypto-investment company does not have any value stuck in the HitBTC platform. HitBTC further stated that the video released by the alleged Atlas Quantum team is fake, as exchange company noted the non-standard placement of amounts to show the purported balances of Atlas Quantum’s account.

Moreover, HitBTC asserts that it has not received any request for assistance in connection with the supposed frozen accounts. .

The video came at a time when numerous investors expressed fears that the crypto-investment company will not be able to fulfill its obligations to meet all requests for withdrawals. The case attracted wide media coverage, to which Atlas Quantum responded by presenting an audit report allegedly attesting to the veracity of the amount of Bitcoins and other altcoins held by the beleaguered company.

The audited statement though is regarded as contentious, as many of Atlas’ investors doubt if Atlas Quantum has sufficient cryptocurrency resources to honor its commitments.

Equity Release : A Financial Scheme that Can Help Seniors Cope with the Loss of a Spouse

Home equity release is fast becoming a financial solution taken by UK’s population of senior adults. During the second quarter of this year alone, the Equity Release Council had established that as much as £971 million in equity release loans were availed by Britons aged 55 and older.

Many do so in order to cope with the loss of their spouse, when preferring to live independently in the home where they raised their brood. After all, maintaining a house requires extra funds that a state pension cannot provide.

Moreover, the Centre for Ageing and Demography of the UK National Statistics Office released a report in August 2019 that describes the dramatic change in the structure of the UK population. According to the report, there are more older people making up the UK population, since previous generations had produced fewer children. The only factor driving a rise in the number of people residing in the UK are the migrants. .

The report also said that Britons today tend to have a longer life span. Generally, most British men are said to live up to 79.2 years old, while British women often survive the death of their husband up to age 82 and beyond. Yet senior citizens who have to survive after the death of their spouse, face financial and health issues while living alone.

Seniors Address Extraordinary Financial Needs by Way of Equity Release Mortgage

In seeking professional advice from financial experts, many older adults in the UK learned that there is a financial facility offered exclusively to senior homeowners. Availed by way of an equity release arrangement, a lot of older Britons were able to borrow a percentage of their property’s value, without having to face the burden of making monthly payments.

The amount borrowed plus the total interest compounded on the outstanding balance will be settled through the sale of the property; but only when the senior borrower dies, or when he or she needs to enter a nursing home for long term. The scheme works on the principle that a real property appreciates in value and therefore can be sold in the future at a higher valuation.

It is possible that the proceeds from the sale of the property could exceed the total amount due on the loan. The borrower’s heirs would still stand to receive the residual value, once all payments due on the mortgage have been applied.

On the other hand, to avoid burdening heirs with unpaid obligations arising from an equity release mortgage, the UK Equity Release Council, requires the incorporation of a “No-Negative Equity Guarantee” to the mortgage contract. It is a clause that constrains the lender to consider the mortgage paid through the sale of the property. That is regardless of any resulting deficiency, in case the proceeds of the sale is less than the total amount due. .

Using an equity release calculator uk lenders carefully evaluate the value of a property. That way, they can ascertain that the amount loaned out as equity release plus compounded interest, can be adequately covered by the future value of the mortgaged property.