Business Development Updates

11 January 2019

Doing due diligence on VCTs

Step 4: Making sure an Octopus VCT is right for your client

You’ve identified a client that could benefit from a VCT. You’ve talked them through how a VCT could help and the associated risks. You might then have client looking to invest in a VCT. But you’ll want to do due diligence before you recommend any VCT to your client.

You’ll find third-party reports, client illustrations and an independent financial strength assessment of Octopus Investments on the Octopus VCT adviser hub. Use the links below to access some of the resources available.

Webinar: Join Octopus for a webinar covering how a provider can support you with due diligence >> Adviser hub: Find tools that will help you at each stage of writing VCT business Illustration: Request a bespoke client illustration for an Octopus VCT

Some risks to keep in mind

The value of a VCT investment, and any income from it, can fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the full amount they invest. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. Tax reliefs depend on the VCT maintaining its VCT-qualifying status.

VCT shares are by their nature high risk, their share price may be volatile and they may be hard to sell.

10 January 2019

Investment Manager Snapshot - Looking at T. Rowe Price

 

From an adviser perspective there is certainly no shortage of investment providers. Yet we think these six quick points give reason to find out more about T. Rowe Price. 

Longevity and scale- T. Rowe Price was established in 1937 at the height of the Great Depression.  Today, the firm has expanded to 16 countries and manages $1.08 trillion for clients.  Breadth of proposition- the global investment company has capabilities across equity, fixed income and multi asset (including retirement solutions) and offers a broad range of strategies across capitalisations, sectors, styles and regions. Resources- one of the industry’s largest and most experienced buy-side global research platforms, incorporating 595 investment professionals across equity, fixed income and multi-asset. An emphasis on first hand insights as an antidote to “group- think”.  Independent mind set- a group of people with varied backgrounds and experiences who think differently, challenge the consensus and bring unique perspectives to the investment decision-making process as an enduring source of differentiation. Performance driven analysts - motivated and incentivised to find investment ideas. Rather than simply allowing them to make buy/sell hold recommendations in a vacuum, analysts are rewarded if their ideas actually generate returns for client portfolios. Consistently meeting expectations- 81% of T. Rowe Price  SICAV funds with a 5 year track record have outperformed their Morningstar Category Median (as of 30 September 2018) 

For more information
 
For further information on T. Rowe Price, research platform or products, please contact the UK Relationship Management team on 020 7002 4372 or [email protected] or go to T. Rowe Price to see more about the business and how it could work for you and your clients.

 

For investment professionals only. Not for further distribution.
  
Important Information
This material is being furnished for general informational purposes only. The material does not constitute or undertake to give advice of any nature, including fiduciary investment advice, and prospective investors are recommended to seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any investment decision. T. Rowe Price group of companies including T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and/or its affiliates receive revenue from T. Rowe Price investment products and services. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the amount invested.
 
The material does not constitute a distribution, an offer, an invitation, a personal or general recommendation or solicitation to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction or to conduct any particular investment activity. The material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.
 
Information and opinions presented have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable and current; however, we cannot guarantee the sources’ accuracy or completeness. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. The views contained herein are as of the date noted on the material and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price group companies and/or associates.
 
Under no circumstances should the material, in whole or in part, be copied or redistributed without consent from T. Rowe Price. The material is not intended for use by persons in jurisdictions which prohibit or restrict the distribution of the material and in certain countries the material is provided upon specific request. It is not intended for distribution to retail investors in any jurisdiction.
 
DIFC   Issued in the Dubai International Financial Centre by T. Rowe Price International Ltd. This material is communicated on behalf of T. Rowe Price International Ltd by its representative office which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. For Professional Clients only.
 
EEA   Issued in the European Economic Area by T. Rowe Price International Ltd, 60 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4TZ which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. For Professional Clients only.
 
Switzerland   Issued in Switzerland by T. Rowe Price (Switzerland) GmbH, Talstrasse 65, 6th Floor, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland. For Qualified Investors only.
 
T. ROWE PRICE, INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE and the Bighorn Sheep design are, collectively and/or apart, trademarks or registered trademarks of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. All rights reserved

08 January 2019

Download your Adviser Guide to Direct Lending

 

Direct Lending – connecting borrowers and lenders – has now grown into one of the most significant new sectors in the UK financial services landscape. Given this is a relatively new sector we think that you will value a wide ranging market guide looking at how the market works and the options within it.  

 

 

You can access this new guide here >> – to give you an in depth view of the market and the opportunities for you and your clients.

 

The focus is very much on how you might use Direct Lending as part of your clients’ portfolios: 

Scenarios include 
•    Use of Direct Lending vehicles in SIPP and SSAS
•    Clients in an equity release situation looking for capital presentation and high yield potential 
•    Clients looking to reduce exposure to equity risk 
•    The appeal of Direct Lending for its low correlation with other asset classes
•    Diversified investment in loans secured against UK property

Download your Guide now>>

And to find out more about BondMason go to www.bondmason.com

 

 

 

16 December 2018

What the UKs largest VCT could do for your clients

Step 3: Explore the UK’s largest VCT

You’ve explained to a client how venture capital trusts (VCTs) work and how the income tax relief can help with their planning.

The client understands the risks and want to go ahead.

The third step is to look at specific VCTs.

A great place to start is with the UK’s largest VCT, Octopus Titan VCT. To see why, click the links below.

Webinar: Explore the UK's largest VCT >> Download the Octopus Titan VCT brochure >> Adviser tools: Access our VCT resource hub here >>

Some risks to keep in mind

The value of an investment in Octopus Titan VCT, and any income from it, can fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the full amount they invest. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. Tax reliefs depend on the VCT maintaining its VCT-qualifying status. VCT shares are by their nature high risk, their share price may be volatile and they may be hard to sell.

12 December 2018

You are invited to the Brooks Macdonald Adviser Academies

 

You are invited to the Brooks Macdonald Adviser Academies

 

Upcoming Adviser Academies 
Brexit and beyond: investing in 2019
January & February 2019| 29 locations across the UK

 

Register and find out more >

 

12 December 2018

Business protection made easy - with the Aegon Toolkit

Business protection doesn’t need to be complicated. With 5.7 million businesses in the UK* – each with their own specific financial needs - you could be missing out on a great opportunity to grow yours.

It’s important you look after your clients’ business protection needs – such as business continuity and succession planning - because if you don’t, someone else might. Plus, you could be losing out on genuine opportunities to develop valuable relationships, expand your business, and increase your profitability.

Help is at hand
Aegon has used its wealth of experience in the business protection market to develop a new online business protection toolkit– giving you all the support and information you need at your fingertips to understand, discuss and write business protection.
 
The Vault
As part of its online toolkit, Aegon has also created the Vault. Your one-stop-shop for all the support material you'll need to help you in the business protection market. This includes sample material, sales aids, technical factsheets, videos and more. All designed to help you discuss business protection with your clients.
 
Visit Aegon’s business protection toolkitfor more information on business protection including access to all our support material, or get in touch with your local Aegon sales representative. If you’re not sure who your Aegon sales representative is, send Aegon an emailwith your name, email address, firm name and postcode, and they’ll get back to you.
 
[*]Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2018

04 December 2018

You are invited to the 2019 Invesco Investment Intelligence Seminars

You can now register for the first round of the Invesco Investment Intelligence Seminars 2019. Make sure you reserve your space!
 
The end of the cycle?
 
In this round Neil Dobson and Neil Bailey will reflect on what has been a difficult year for most asset classes, considering whether the main headwinds will continue into 2019 and bring an end to the current economic and market cycle.
 
As usual, expect to also hear from Invesco’s key investment experts to see where they believe the best opportunities lie at the asset class, regional and sector level.
 
For more information on what will be covered, dates and to register for your nearest seminar, please visit the event page. Attendance will qualify you for 80 minutes of structured CPD, so don’t miss out!
 

29 November 2018

Can you hold your nerve while others lose theirs?

Recent market volatility has elevated investor fears, but these fears shouldn’t prevent you from seeing the bigger picture.  Volatility can create attractive investment opportunities.

In this most recent bout Orbis has identified several stocks that they believe markets have mispriced. While it’s relatively easy to explain the investment case for these, it’s harder to hold them during the very periods of market pessimism that make them look attractive to Orbis. Holding your nerve while others lose theirs takes more than just conviction. It takes courage.

Read why Orbis pride themselves on having the necessary courage, born of detailed research and analysis, and why they think you should too. Holding your nerve while others lose theirs.

29 November 2018

Powerful tools to help clients considering a VCT

Helping clients understand VCTs 
 

So you’ve identified a client who could benefit from a venture capital trust (VCT).

Step two is to help them understand what VCTs are and how they fit in with the rest of their planning. 

Clients often like to know:

• Why VCTs offer tax reliefs in the first place, and why the government supports this?
• What type of companies do VCTs invest in?
• What are the risks?

Octopus has a number of client-friendly resources that can help you. To see how you can use VCTs to their full potential, use the links below. 

• Webinar: Helping your clients get to grips with VCTs >>
• VCT 101 video: This video is a great way to introduce clients to VCTs >>
• Adviser tools: Access our VCT resource hub here >>

Key risks to keep in mind:
• The value of an investment in a VCT investment, and any income from it, can fall as well  as rise. Investors may not get back the full amount they invest. 
• Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.
• Tax reliefs depend on the VCT maintaining its VCT-qualifying status. 
• VCT shares are by their nature high risk, their share price may be volatile and they may be hard to sell.

19 November 2018

Calculating capital gains

In his latest video (18 Minutes), Paul Kennedy, FundsNetwork’s Head of Tax & Trust Planning, talks about the complexities of calculating capital gains.

He explains the methodology and the different items affecting calculations, such as: 

·       initial purchase costs

·       equalisation

·       notional distributions

·       rebalancing model portfolios

·       fees and charges

In addition, to complement his video insight, he has also produced a postcard on ‘Taxing calculations’ where he looks at acquisition costs and disposal matching rules.

It’s worth spending some of your valuable time to find out Paul’s expert views on what can be a complicated subject.

View video or read article now

12 November 2018

Getting the best value for your business - capital available to acquire or invest

Often when adviser firms decide to sell, or to seek capital for expansion, or sell a client bank they do so by talking to a few local contacts. But there is a real market now and the best way to get the best option for you and your business is to look further afield. That’s why we are introducing you to http://ifaacquisition.co.uk/ 
 
They have a panel of firms who are actively in the market and able to acquire or invest in a variety of different businesses. It may be worth a conversation if you are:-

Retiring and/or looking to sell your client bank Looking to capitalise your interest but to continue working within a new infrastructure with funding and support Seeking capital injection into your business to support expansion Wanting to integrate your practice with another if the fit is good A small, local adviser or a larger firm with a team of advisers with a focus on Wealth management or Corporate/Employee Benefits 

The panel firms have different priorities and criteria which gives you great flexibility – there is no fixed acquisition model and the aim would be to produce a format which is correctly tailored for your circumstances.
 
What next?
 
If you would like a confidential conversation simply call Elliott on 0131 297 7369
Or go to http://ifaacquisition.co.uk/  and send over your contact details
 
If there looks to be potential then IFA Acquisitions would consider which of their panel advisers offer the best match for your needs and put you in touch.
 
Specific opportunities
 
The Panel are open to a wide variety of conversation and opportunities and they also have a small number of specific areas in mind which will be of interest to you if you are: 

Wealth Management firm based in Edinburgh or Glasgow – ideally with 5-10 advisers and £100m to £500m assets under influence. Can accommodate if there is an EB side to this business too. Business acquisition not client bank purchase Wealth Management firm based in Birmingham (or in the Midlands area). Can accommodate if there is an EB side to this business too. Flexible on size. Business acquisition not client bank purchase 

Small EB business based in London/SE (or a WM firm with a small EB arm that could be purchased separately from the WM business)

23 October 2018

Join NS&Is new phone service for advice firms

Join the firms who have already taken up the new telephone services via the Adviser Helpline (0800 092 1228).

For the first time, firms now have access to information on their clients’ NS&I holdings over the phone. These services have been introduced in response to feedback received from financial advisers and their colleagues, highlighting the need to make NS&I easier to work with.

The new services feature:
 
•         Increased speed of access
           
•         More client information available to advice firms
           
•         New indefinite ‘Client Letter of Authority Template’
           
•         A ‘Terms of Business Agreement’ to protect all parties
           
•         Whole firm access to information



Note:A single signed Terms Of Business Agreement between NS&I and your advice firm, and a signed Letter of Authority from each client, is required in order to obtain information on their holdings with NS&I. Please ensure that you have a Terms of Business Agreement in place before attempting to register any Letters of Authority.

More information

Further information on these service enhancements is available on the Adviser Centre nsandi-adviser.com, and both documents referenced above can be downloaded from this site.

Next

Later in 2018, NS&I is planning to launch online access to information on clients’ NS&I holdings. This will be via secure log-in on nsandi-adviser.com

15 October 2018

New multi asset solution from Invesco

In an era of increasing regulatory pressure, the need for efficient, cost-effective and compliant investment solutions has never been greater.

The newly launched Invesco Summit Growth Investment Series of five multi asset funds with increasing risk levels, enables you to easily match your clients to the right fund for their investment objectives.

Cost-effective access to Invesco's global active and passive expertise with ongoing charge figures from 60bps to 80bps Simple way to provide your clients with a truly diversified source of returns Full service product with due diligence and client communications made easy

11 October 2018

Octopus Titan VCT now open for new investment

Octopus Titan VCT, the UK’s largest venture capital trust (VCT), has just opened for new investment. The fundraising target is £120 million.

Clients who invest before 25 October will get the Early Bird Discount of 1%.

Not only that, as a thank you to clients who’ve invested in any Octopus VCT before there is a 1% loyalty discount to the initial charge, whenever they choose to invest.

Octopus Titan VCT has a portfolio of more than 65 companies across a diverse range of sectors.

In recent years the VCT has backed businesses such as Zoopla, Graze and Secret Escapes, supporting them to become household names.

You can find all the information you need, including the brochure, prospectus and application form, on the Octopus Titan VCT web page

For more information visit the webpage or call your local Business Development Manager on 0800 316 2067. 

Useful resources:
Guide: Download our client-friendly guide to venture capital trusts >>
Webpage: Visit the Octopus Titan VCT webpage >>
Webinar: A look inside Octopus Titan VCT, Tuesday 16 October >>
Request a call: Want to speak to someone? We’re here to help. Request a call back here >>

 

Key risks to consider:

The value of an investment, and any income from it, could fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the full amount they invest.  Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. Tax reliefs depend on the VCT maintaining its VCT-qualifying status.

VCT shares are by their nature high risk, their share price may be volatile and they may be hard to sell.

04 October 2018

Download this 2018 edition of the Brooks Macdonald seven-step guide to DFM due diligence

Demonstrating client suitability and selection of one discretionary fund manager (DFM) over another has become an important requirement for the regulator, as highlighted in the FCA's Thematic Review 16/1 on suitability and due diligence.
 
To assist with this requirement, Brooks Macdonald produce an annual seven-step guide to DFM due diligence, which is now eligible for 2 hours of structured CPD. You can download the guide (now in its 8th year) , generate your DFM shortlist and review independent analysis to help with your evaluation on this due diligence portal. All well as the 22 page guide, you can access valuable tools here and Excel spreadsheets to help your process.
 
Visit the due diligence portal >>
 
We hope you find this information useful, and if you have any feedback or queries please do not hesitate to get in touch on [email protected]

26 September 2018

Aegon: Relevant Life Simplified Webinar recording