Workers walking through a shipping cargo container terminal depot.

Investment market update: April 2025

Once again, US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs have affected investment markets throughout April 2025 and could have far-reaching implications over the coming months. Indeed, UN Trade and Development now predicts that global growth will slow to 2.3% in 2025, compared to 2.8% last year. While experiencing volatility can be daunting as an investor, remember […]

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A child playing with wooden shapes.

Essential estate planning steps that could protect young family members

When you’re creating an estate plan, there are a lot of areas you might need to include, from considering tax liability to naming your beneficiaries. It’s an important part of your financial plan and, if you want to protect or provide for younger family members, there might be some additional steps to take. In simple […]

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A woman using a phone and calculator.

5 shrewd ways to avoid paying tax on your savings

24% of people think all their savings are tax-free, according to a Lloyds Bank survey carried out in February 2025. However, they could be in for an unexpected shock, as the interest earned on savings might be liable for Income Tax. The good news is, there are often ways to reduce a potential tax bill […]

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A couple enjoying a meal in a restaurant together.

4 useful insights from a decade of Pension Freedoms

A decade ago, the introduction of Pension Freedoms shook up retirement planning and gave retirees more options than ever. Before 2015, if you had a defined contribution (DC) pension, the common route was to use the money accumulated to purchase an annuity. The annuity would then provide you with a regular income, usually for the […]

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A woman sitting with her hands clasped.

Why investor fear and anxiety play a role in market volatility

2025 has already been eventful for investors. Many factors are influencing market volatility, and one cause you might have overlooked is the emotions of investors. Read on to find out why fear and anxiety might lead to the value of investments falling. US president Donald Trump entered the White House for a second term in […]

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A father playing football with his young son.

Financial protection: The key options that could protect your lifestyle and family

Financial protection could provide you with a cash boost when you need it most, and there’s more than one type to consider. Last month, you read why financial protection provides a crucial safety net should you face an unexpected shock. Now, read on to find out more about some of the key options. 2 forms […]

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Workers in a warehouse.

Investment market update: March 2025

Trade wars and fears that tariffs could spark recessions meant investment market volatility continued in March 2025 and the start of April 2025. Read on to find out more about some of the factors that may have affected the value of your investments recently. Tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump affected markets negatively and, […]

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The AI technology that means you need to be vigilant for scams more than ever

AI technology is presenting lots of opportunities for businesses to improve efficiency, but it’s also being used by scammers. To protect your assets, it’s more important than ever that you’re vigilant and aware of how criminals might target you. While you might think of scams as being rare, they could be more widespread than you […]

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People using escalators in an office building.

4 reasons to remain calm amid market volatility and uncertainty

Geopolitical tensions have led to a bumpy start to 2025 for investors. If you’re worried about volatility and what it might mean for your long-term finances, there are reasons to remain calm despite the uncertainty. The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in some anxiety in Europe, with the UK and other countries committing to […]

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A doctor talking to a patient.

Why you should make registering a Lasting Power of Attorney a priority

Data released by Scotland’s largest health board has highlighted the potential challenges families could face if a loved one doesn’t have a Power of Attorney in place. According to a BBC report, in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a third of patients who are delayed getting out of hospital are stuck because they don’t have […]

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