Money in the Home and Family

The deVere Group has Gained Corporate Membership with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:29:00 +0000

The deVere Group (http://www.devere-group.com) is pleased to announce that they have signed a Corporate Membership Agreement with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the largest and most widely respected professional body in the securities and investment industry in the UK and in a growing number of major financial centres round the world.

London, United Kingdom (PRWeb UK) December 7, 2009 -- The deVere Group (http://www.devere-group.com) is pleased to announce that they have signed a Corporate Membership Agreement with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the largest and most widely respected professional body in the securities and investment industry in the UK and in a growing number of major financial centres round the world.

Nigel Green, the Chief Executive of the deVere Group said: “We received strong positive feedback from our Financial Advisors to achieve career progression to relevant CISI qualifications. As the first international financial advisory group to achieve full corporate membership since the Institute gained its Royal Charter, the deVere Group is proud to promote the continuing professional development scheme with our Financial Advisors worldwide and insist that every advisor passed local exams together with obtaining CISI status. As part of this membership, our Financial Advisors will maintain and develop their knowledge, skills and will promote the highest standards in the investment industry.”

Formed in 1992 by London Stock Exchange practitioners, the CISI have more than 40,000 members in 89 countries. The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment continuing evolution has been highlighted by the granting of the chartered status, which required approval by the Queen following consideration of the application by the Privy Council.

This membership with the CISI is credible to the deVere Group, and is exciting for them to be able to offer Financial Advisors membership of a chartered, professional body whose sole remit is to continuing professional development and ethics. This will be beneficial to all clients and prospective deVere clients.

Simon Culhane FCSI, Chief Executive of CISI said: “We applaud the deVere Group’s commitment to ongoing professionalism for all their staff and welcome working more closely with them.”

About the deVere Group:

The deVere Group is the world’s largest firm of independent financial advisers. We help international investors and expatriates find financial services products that suit their medium to long term requirements for insurance, investments, savings and pensions. With in excess of US $7 billion of funds under administration and management, the deVere Group has more than fifty thousand clients in over a hundred countries. Our independence and ability to offer financial products that are tailor-made to fit an individual’s needs are behind our success. As a result we now have offices in over forty countries. You can find us in Abu Dhabi, Brussels, Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Mexico, Moscow, Shanghai, Tokyo and Zurich, amongst others. Please visit http://www.devere-group.com for more information about the deVere Group

About the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI):

For further information on the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment contact Lora Benson, Head of Media Tel: +44 020 7645 0662/+44 07801 521034 or lora(dot)benson(at)cis(dot)org

Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

Our mission is to help members attain, maintain and develop their knowledge and skills and to promote the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the securities and investment industry.

Formed in 1992 from the Stock Exchange, the CISI is now the leading examining, training and membership body for the securities and investment industry in the UK, with over 40,000 members who benefit from our programme of professional and social events. As the main examining body for the industry, the Institute provides a range of relevant vocational qualifications attracting over 35,000 candidates a year. We have developed Centres of Excellence within several Universities to offer our qualifications, and have made our Introduction to Securities and Investments available to schools and colleges around the UK In addition, the Institute produces publications and workbooks and runs a series of widely respected and well attended conferences and seminars in the UK and overseas.

Based in the City of London, we are a global organisation with representative offices in financial centres such as Dublin, Singapore, Dubai, Mumbai and Shanghai. We work in close cooperation with regulators, firms and other professional bodies worldwide. The Institute is currently a member of the FSA workstream on professionalism as part of the Retail Distribution Review and became a Chartered body in November 2009.

NSI Reveals Britons Failing to Prioritise Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:27:00 +0000

NS&I has revealed that Britons are failing to prioritise savings despite widespread financial instability, according to a new survey from the financial services provider.

London, UK (PRWEB) December 6, 2009 -- NS&I has revealed that despite the financial shock of the last 18 months, data for the last five years shows that Britons have not made savings any more of a priority. This is according to NS&I's Savings Survey which, with more than 50,000 people interviewed since the Survey began five years ago, provides a comprehensive picture of the nation's changing savings habits over this period.

The data shows that in 2009, while the average monthly amount Britons save per head has increased to its highest recorded figure (£83.87, up from £70.23 in 2005), the individual savings ratio - the average amount that people say they are saving as a percentage of their take-home income - has remained fairly constant at 6.06% this year from 6.02% in 2005. It seems that the population is not diverting a larger proportion of their take-home income to savings, despite the recent economic downturn which has created a greater need amongst many to build up emergency savings in a savings account (http://www.nsandi.com/products/easa/index.jsp ) or savings bond (http://www.nsandi.com/products/gib/index.jsp ).

Tim Mack, NS&I's savings spokesperson, comments: "Many people are now putting a few more pounds away each month for greater peace of mind. But when expressed as a percentage of monthly income saved, it is evident that Britons don't seem to have made saving any more of a priority in 2009 than they have over the past five years, despite the economic downturn.

"Taking some time to review how much unnecessary expenditure could be cut back to help focus income on what we really want and need, encourages people to develop a good savings habit. Total up how much you could save in a month, a year or even five years and see how small monthly changes really add up."

Regular savers consistently set aside more than the rest of the population, almost double the proportion of their take-home income, around 12% for each of the past five years (11.76% in 2009, a monthly average of £188.20). However, it seems that few Britons appreciate the advantages that developing this savings habit can bring - even in these more challenging economic times - as the number of people who set aside some money every month has shown little movement. In 2005, 45% said they put aside money every month; by 2009, this had only risen to 47%.

One way the economic downturn appears to have impacted on the population is with respect to their savings goals. In autumn 2009, over half (54%) of people said their main savings objective was to set money aside in case of emergency - compared to just 27% in winter 2006/2007. At this time saving for retirement (33%) and setting money aside to afford a holiday or special occasion (32%) were stated as the most important savings goals.

Tim Mack continues: "The recent financial instability appears to have encouraged many of us to set money aside, to act as a financial safety cushion in the event of the unexpected. While this is key to making sure we are financially secure, it is also important not to forget about other major expenses that occur at different life stages where we may need to draw on savings or credit if no other funds are available. Therefore we should be looking at increasing the amounts we are saving for such expenses, rather than diverting money from savings set aside in case of an emergency."

About NS&I

NS&I is one of the UK's largest financial providers with almost 27 million customers and over £96 billion invested. It is best known for Premium Bonds (http://www.nsandi.com/products/pb/index.jsp ), but also offers fixed rate savings bonds (http://www.nsandi.com/products/gib/rates.jsp ), Guaranteed Equity Bonds and Children's Bonus Bonds in its range. All products offer 100% security, because NS&I is backed by HM Treasury.

Saxo Bank Offers New Guide to Global Economic Indicators

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:26:00 +0000

Saxo Bank has made keeping track of the most important economic indicators affecting the Forex market easy with its new Macro Forecast publication

Hellerup, Denmark (PRWEB) December 6, 2009 -- Saxo Bank's strategy team has gathered together the most important of its macroeconomic forecasts into a new monthly publication that can be downloaded for free from the Trading Floor website.

The new Macro Forecast publication is based on the results of Saxo Bank's comprehensive macroeconomic models and is released on the first working day of every month. The publication will give the most important economic indicators for the US, Eurozone and Japan.

"The US gets the most attention in line with its position as the most important world economy with more than 20 quarterly and monthly indicators. The most important indicators from Europe and Japan will be covered initially, with more depth added with time as the publication grows," said David Karsbøl, Chief Economist at Saxo Bank.

The Macro Forecast has been designed to be easy to read and navigate. Each country has a table giving the consensus forecast, Saxo Bank's forecast, the previous level, percentage change and release date.

"The Macro Forecast isn't meant to provide trading triggers," added Saxo Bank Market Strategist Mads Koefoed, who has been responsible for developing the model. "The publication is more a signpost to the general economy and makes the strategy teams views on the development of the economy easier to follow on a regular basis."

Tradingfloor.com has been running since May 2009 and features expert commentary starting every morning with The Daily Trading Stance that Saxo Bank's strategists distribute to clients giving a rundown of the main themes of the day in Forex trading (http://www.tradingfloor.com/EN/Pages/Trading_commentary.aspx ), equities, FX options and CFD trading (http://www.tradingfloor.com/EN/Pages/Home.aspx ).

The commentary is prepared by David Karsbøl, Equity Strategist Christian Tegllund Blaabjerg and Forex expert John Hardy. Futures and Fixed Income expertise is provided by Ole S. Hansen and Alan Plaugmann. Also commenting are Market Strategist Mads Koefoed and Research Analyst Robin Bagger-Sjöbäck.

The new Macro Forecast can be downloaded as a PDF. Also available are Saxo Bank Research Notes, the Equity Strategy Outlook, the Forex Portfolio Model, FX Monthly, Cross Asset Research, Quarterly Outlook, and Saxo Asset Allocation.

About Trading Floor

Trading Floor is run by Saxo Bank - one of the most successful of the new generation of trading platforms. Trading Floor delivers tradable knowledge about key industry events, global trends and trading strategy (http://www.tradingfloor.com/EN/Pages/Market_Analysis.aspx ) within Forex and commodity markets. Good information drives profitable decision-making, making Trading Floor an important tool for anyone involved in the markets and interested in Forex strategy (http://www.tradingfloor.com/EN/Pages/FX-equity-research.aspx ). Trading Floor aims to inform, inspire and provide an entertaining read for the contemporary trader.

Saxo Bank Enter Into Agreement to Acquire E*TRADE's Nordic Business

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:22:00 +0000

Saxo Bank has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire E*TRADE International's Nordic online trading business and online bank

Canary Wharf, London (PRWEB) December 6, 2009 -- Saxo Bank, the specialist in online trading and investment, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire E*TRADE International's local Nordic online trading business and online bank from E*TRADE Nordic AB, an indirect subsidiary of US-based financial services company E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation. The Nordic business includes client accounts in Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Norway.

This strategic move continues Saxo Bank's steady expansion over the last few months and further cements Saxo Bank's position in the Scandinavian marketplace.

The acquisition of one of Scandinavia's established online bank and brokerages is a further step by Saxo Bank towards offering more saving and investment products to investors. Following this latest acquisition, Saxo Bank will be able to offer pension products as well as stock and margin accounts, bond offerings and, in the future, a Funds Supermarket. Moreover, Saxo Bank's AUM will increase by more than DKK 5.0bn and the acquisition adds an additional 50,000 active accounts.

In a joint statement, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, Co-CEOs and co-founders of Saxo Bank, said: "This acquisition supports our long term expansion strategy and broadens our product offering on the SaxoTrader platform. In addition, the expanded client base will enable us to further improve our services to both existing and new clients through improved efficiency and scale."

Following the acquisition, E*TRADE Nordic's existing local clients will continue to receive the same service and offering to which they have become accustomed. In addition, E*TRADE Nordic's local clients will benefit from the additional trading opportunities that they will find on the Saxo Bank platforms, including futures trade (http://uk.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/futures/gold-silver/pages/gold-and-silver-trading.aspx ). Similarly, Saxo Bank's existing and future clients will now have the opportunity to save for their pension through Saxo Bank, as well as trade Bonds and hold margin accounts.

Fournais and Seier Christensen added: "The acquisition of E*TRADE International's local Nordic business will strengthen our growth opportunities and market position in Scandinavia. In the past 10 years, E*TRADE International has become a well regarded online trading and investment brand across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The combination of E*TRADE Nordic's local business and Saxo Bank's brand is powerful and it strengthens our position in the long term investment market. Saxo Bank is looking forward to being able to offer E*TRADE Nordic's products and services to our client base and vice versa."

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation was advised by Fox-Pitt Kelton (now part of Macquarie Capital) on this transaction.

About Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank is an online trading and investment specialist, Forex trading (http://uk.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/forex/pages/forex-trading.aspx ), CFDs trading (http://uk.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/cfds-stocks/pages/online-cfd-trading.aspx ), Stocks, Futures (http://uk.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/futures/pages/futures-oil-trading.aspx ), Options and other derivatives, as well as providing portfolio management via SaxoWebTrader and SaxoTrader, the leading online trading platforms. SaxoTrader is available directly through Saxo Bank or through one of the Bank's global partners. White label is a significant business area for Saxo Bank, and involves customisation and branding of the Bank's online trading platform for other financial institutions and brokers. Saxo Bank has more than 120 white label partners and boasts thousands of clients in over 180 countries. Saxo Bank is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and the United Arab Emirates.

LV Launch New Website for Advisors

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

LV= has announced the launch of a new website specifically for advisors.

London, UK (PRWEB) December 5, 2009 -- LV=, the leading retirement solutions and protection provider, has launched a new website for advisors.

The new site brings all elements of previous web offerings for advisers from LV= (http://www.lv.com/) together in one place, with various added benefits and services.

Among the additions to the new LV= advisor website (http://www.lv.com/adviser/) is access to the full range of award-winning LV= products without having to log-in, with log-in only required for product quotes and applications. The log in process itself has also been simplified on the new site, with users having the option to use Unipass for further online security.

Users visiting the new site will also enjoy improved site navigation and the opportunity to download a range of product toolkits and support materials. Advisers can apply online to LV= for terms of business.

Justin Harper, Head of Adviser Marketing at LV=, said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of our new adviser website. It was designed with one goal in mind - to make it as easy as possible for advisers to access information about LV= products and then transact business with us quickly and efficiently."

"Virtually all the information advisers need is just a couple of clicks away, so they can get the support they need with no hassle. A simplified log-in process, or the ability to use Unipass, means that getting quotes and submitting product applications is easier than ever."

"We are always looking at ways to improve the service we give to advisers and our new website is just one step along the way. Watch this space for further developments."

About LV=

LV= is a registered trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) and a trading style of the Liverpool Victoria group of companies.

LV= employs more than 3,800 people, serves over 3.6m customers and members, and manages around £7bn on their behalf. We are also the UK's largest friendly society and a leading mutual financial services provider, supplying retirement solutions (http://www.lv.com/retirement_plans/) and many other award winning LV= products (http://www.lv.com/aboutus/awards).

Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, register number. 110035. LVFS is a member of the ABI, AMI, AFS and ILAG. Registered address: County Gates, Bournemouth BH1 2NF.

Andazola Financial Services Launches New Customer Friendly Website

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:19:00 +0000

Andazola Financial Services is Located in Downey, CA and Offers Financial Services to Small to Large Businesses and Individuals.

Downey, California (PRWEB) December 5, 2009 -- Andazola Financial Services is proud to launch its new website, www.Andazola.com, which recently went live and offers easy access for people to learn more about Andazola’s service offerings. This simplifies the way in which customers learn more about financial services that Andazola makes available to them.

The new website makes information about the company, its products and services and its contact information readily available and easily accessible. The website also provides convenient financial calculators that help clients review different mortgage options available. The financial services detailed on the new website are all focused on providing clients with valuable business and individual tax services. This further endorses Andazola Financial Services’ commitment to helping clients meet all of their financial goals. Andazola Financial Services specializes in accounting services, payroll services, tax services, consulting services and retirement planning.

Andazola Financial Services are a professional full service accounting and tax firm in Downey, CA offering over 25 years of experience, serving widely diversified businesses and individuals. Their services are tailored to the needs of each client, from small to large businesses, non-profit organizations, to individuals who need tax and estate planning. They take nothing for granted, make no promises they can't keep, check the details and stay ahead of the situation. Fresh ideas, new perspectives, planning and technical expertise save their clients tax dollars and a lot of worry. All client matters are handled in the strictest confidentiality with the highest ethical standards.

Learn more about Andazola Financial Services by visiting www.Andazola.com or calling (562) 869-1887.

The Children's Mutual Launches Animated Guide to Child Trust Funds

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:18:00 +0000

The Children's Mutual is pleased to announce the launch of a new cartoon guide to Child Trust Funds - the first of its kind in the marketplace.

London, UK (PRWEB) November 15, 2009 -- Leading Child Trust Fund provider The Children's Mutual is pleased to announce the launch of a new cartoon guide to Child Trust Funds - the first of its kind in the marketplace.

The cartoon guide is a five minute animation in a graphic style reminiscent of perennial children's favourite, Fuzzy Felt. During the film, busy new mum, Mel, (and baby Emily) explain what the Child Trust Fund is, the different sorts of funds that are available, their individual features, how to find a provider and how to go about applying for a fund.

The Child Trust Fund guide (http://www.thechildrensmutual.co.uk/mel) has additional link-back buttons at the end that allow viewers to go directly back to sections of particular interest and watch them again. It also gives clear direction to alternative information sources including HMRC (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctf/).

Marketing Director, Tony Anderson, said: "We appreciate that new parents have very little free time and when they do get a chance to sit down they aren't necessarily in the mood to wade through financial paperwork or regulatory terminology. But they still want to be sure that they are making the right choices for their children. This is where our animated guide provides a completely new approach to helping customers - through carefully chosen language and functionality. It provides all the salient information about CTFs (http://www.thechildrensmutual.co.uk/child-trust-funds.aspx) in easy to understand language and simple to access bite size sections."

The cartoon guide can be viewed at The Children's Mutual's own website and is also available for publications and sites to host themselves to help their own audiences to more easily understand the Child Trust Fund.

Tony concluded: "Opening a Child Trust Fund account can seem like a daunting task, but with our new guide it needn't be. All we ask is that parents give us just five minutes of their time to help them make an informed decision."

Child Trust Funds are designed to provide a tax efficient, long term savings vehicle for all eligible children. Each eligible newborn child (born on or after 1 September 2002) receives £250 (£500 for low income families) from the government when their parents register for Child Benefit. The Government will make a second contribution of £250 (£500 for low income families) when the child reaches seven and is considering a third in the child's teenage years. Parents, family and friends can all then add to this account up to a maximum value of £1,200 each year.

About The Children's Mutual - Home of the Child Trust Fund

The Children's Mutual's mission is to help parents, grandparents, family and friends fulfil their hopes for today's children. The Children's Mutual is the only UK company that specialises in long term savings for children and is now the choice of 1 in 4 parents for their child's Child Trust Fund, with more than 675,000 accounts. This expertise has led several financial institutions and family-focused high street retailers to choose The Children's Mutual as their stakeholder Child Trust Fund (http://www.thechildrensmutual.co.uk/child-trust-funds/our-child-trust-funds.aspx) provider.

Savings Goes Social: Gaucho Goes into Public Beta

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:17:00 +0000

Gaucho, the savings inspired web community has gone into public beta. The platform seamlessly combines real time saving features on its savings stream with social networking.

(PRWEB) December 4, 2009 -- The newest addition to the social media craze is a timely one. With the economic recession hitting hard at home, many people are looking for ways to cut costs and save money. Technology's latest solution comes in the form of Gaucho -- a real-time social media platform built around savings deals (http://www.gaucho.net).

Gaucho has been in private beta for awhile, but just opened its doors for the holiday season. Since going public on Black Friday, they've enjoyed a rush of traffic from people looking for great deals and sales.

The main feature of the site is the Gaucho Savings Stream (GSS). The GSS is a real-time stream of coupons and deals that get shared, chatted about and voted on by users from all over the Web. Their GauchoMaps provide a more visual way for users to find discounts at real brick and mortar stores nearby.

Social functions allow users to friend and follow each other. This helps to create a lively, mall-like feel. Whether it happens with friends, family or while meeting new people, shopping is an inherently social experience. Gaucho is the first website that captures the social side of shopping and injects it into an online environment. Some are calling it the Twitter of savings.

As Gaucho evolves, it will quickly transform by offering many more features, including an advanced price comparison site where people can find prices from thousands of stores, all in one place. Gaucho users, or "Gauchos" as they're called, can find the best deal on a product, then use coupons found in the GSS for even deeper product discounts. While other sites of this nature only provide price comparisons or coupon code sharing, Gaucho will do both -- and in real-time.

By next spring, Gaucho's Savings Search Advantage will be comprised of a fully integrated network of savings-related tools and communication platforms. Users will be able to learn, communicate and connect with each other in GauchoAnswers and GauchoForums. With iPhone and BlackBerry apps coming soon, Gaucho is poised to go anywhere its users go and make it easy to save while on the run.

As innovative as it is fun, Gaucho is a savings-inspired community full of features and tips designed to help people when coupon solutions aren't enough. Its user-generated content, community involvement and deep social media connectivity is what differentiates Gaucho from other price comparison sites (http://www.gaucho.net/) and coupon outlets (http://www.gaucho.net/coupons).

Gaucho was founded by a bio-engineer, Dr. Nate Portney, who has also has a deep interest in Web technologies and computer programming. Frustrated with his online shopping experiences, Dr. Portney was inspired to a create a socially diverse site that provides a useful savings service. To accomplish that, he applied hybrid systems theories from nanotechnology to architect the web platform. Dr. Portney earned his B.S. from UC Santa Barbara in Chemical Engineering, his M.S. from UC Irvine in Biochemical Engineering, and his Ph.D. from UC Riverside in Bioengineering.

Gaucho can be found on the Web at Gaucho.net (http://www.gaucho.net/) and Blog.Gaucho.net (http://blog.gaucho.net/), on Twitter @GauchoSave (http://www.twitter.com/gauchosave) and on Facebook as Gaucho (http://www.facebook.com/gauchosave).

SpeedyCashGold.com Launches a Cash for Gold Service with 25% Higher Payouts

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:15:00 +0000

SpeedyCashGold.com, a subsidiary of Speedy Cash - an established financial services firm - has launched a cash for gold service with high payout rates to help consumers quickly get cash for their unused jewelry or gold items.

(PRWEB) December 4, 2009 -- Speedy Cash, a trusted name in the payday lending community, has launched a Cash for Gold service at its new website, SpeedyCashGold.com, focused on rapid payments and one of the highest payouts in the industry.

SpeedyCashGold.com (http://www.speedycashgold.com/) stands out from the competition by offering consumers 25% higher payout rates, basing its payouts on the daily gold rates provided by the London Fix (the "gold" standard in gold value). Due to its backing by Speedy Cash and a free protection plan that ensures gold industry best practices, consumers can feel confident that the process will be as professional and profitable as possible.

With gold value near its historical height, and a growing base of financially struggling consumers, turning in unused gold items for cash is a growing trend.

Most people have gold or platinum jewelry, watches, coins and other collectibles stashed away in jewelry boxes, attics and safes throughout their homes. While collecting gold items is a traditional hobby, an increasing number of consumers now see their gold collectibles as a pile of cash, just waiting to be claimed.

"Unused gold jewelry and collectibles are perceived as 'low-hanging fruit' for consumers looking for quick ways to make extra cash in this struggling economy. The additional marketing that the cash for gold industry has gotten during the downturn has helped educate consumers that even if they're not hurting for cash, their gold collectibles represent an easy way to stash away some extra money for the future," says Terry Pittman, Chief Internet Lending Officer of Speedy Cash.

SpeedyCashGold.com guarantees to pay the highest price for consumer's gold or consumers get their gold items returned, with no questions asked (http://www.speedycashgold.com/?p=index&f=faq#q9). The process is simple: consumers register to receive their gold kit, mail in their gold in the prepaid envelope and then receive their cash in as little as 24 hours.

With its high payouts, 24-hour turnaround to get cash for gold, industry best practices and the backing of a financial services firm with a 12-year record of excellent customer service, SpeedyCashGold.com is the new consumer choice to get quick cash for gold.

About Speedy Cash Inc.:

Founded in 1997 to fill a growing need for small consumer loans, Speedy Cash® / Rapid Cash is a multi-state, high-quality financial service company. The company is built on providing exceptional customer service in a safe, clean and professional environment. Speedy Cash® and Rapid Cash stand apart from the competition by their hassle-free online payday loan (http://www.speedycash.com/payday-loans/) application process and by investing in visually appealing and well-run stores that are committed to improving the communities they serve.

Structured Settlement Company Fairfield Funding Hires New General Counsel

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:11:00 +0000

Fairfield Funding, a company specializing in helping those looking to sell structured settlement (http://www.fairfieldfunding.com/) or annuity payments, has added a new general council to their financial team. Attorney Marc Harris has a great deal of experience and understanding of the often complex laws regulating structured settlements and other assets.

(Vocus) December 4, 2009 -- Fairfield Funding is excited to announce the addition of Marc Harris, an attorney with almost 14 years of experience in the cash flow business with an emphasis on facilitating the purchase of structured settlement annuities (http://www.fairfieldfunding.com/sell-structured-settlement-annuity.html) and lottery prize assets, to their skilled team of financial service specialists. Fairfield Funding is a funding company that specializes in helping people receive cash for structured settlement (http://www.fairfieldfunding.com/life-settlement-and-insurance-settlement-solutions.html), annuity, and lottery payments. In order to make sure every customer receives full compensation for their future settlement or lottery winnings, the Fairfield team strives to maintain a workforce that is dedicated to providing accurate information and exceptional service. Mr. Harris’s abundant knowledge and outstanding reputation in the financial services industry undoubtedly makes him a great candidate for the position of General Counsel for Fairfield Funding.

Since 1996, Marc has worked as counsel in the asset securitization industry for two different companies that have processed over one billion dollars from those seeking to sell lottery winnings (http://www.fairfieldfunding.com/sell-lottery-winnings-and-casino-payments-lump-sum-cash.html) and structured settlement cash flows. He has extensive experience with each state’s legislative and regulatory process relating to the purchasing of these assets throughout the country. This knowledge is invaluable to the funding profession, because almost each state has its own specific law controlling the assignment of annuity or lottery winnings.

Marc is a 1992 graduate of Florida State University, and he earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1995. Aside from advising companies and their clients about smart and effective funding, Marc is also a professor of business law. His knowledge of structured settlement laws and experience teaching others make him the perfect fit for Fairfield Funding.

"I am very excited to join the Fairfield team,” said Fairfield’s General Counsel when asked his feelings about starting his new position. He continued, “Fairfield Funding’s intelligent financial model combined with its focus on customer satisfaction is changing our industry for the better. Their philosophy of deliberate growth greatly benefits clients who are looking to maximize the cash value from their structured settlement or sell annuity payments (http://www.fairfieldfunding.com/structured-settlement-frequently-asked-questions.html). I am extremely excited about helping Fairfield Funding provide quality information and outstanding service for our growing number of clients."

Fairfield Funding, a division of APIS, is a full service funding company specializing in the purchasing and funding of structured settlements, life settlements, pre-settlement, lottery payments, and can buy annuity payments (http://www.fairfieldfunding.com/pre-settlement-loan-funding.html). Collectively, Fairfield Funding management has over fifty years of experience in the financial services arena. The Atlanta-based company specializes in meeting both the short-term and long-term financial needs of its clients through low-cost funding transactions.

For more information about Fairfield Funding or to sell structured settlement, sell lottery winnings, or to sell annuity, please visit FairfieldFunding.com or call 1-888-94-FUNDS.

Economic Stimulus and Low Rates Tempt Buyers to Bite Into the Housing Market--Chew on This Mortgage Expert's Advice First

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:10:00 +0000

Author Dale Vermillion shares both his personal experiences and his professional expertise, helping readers avoid the mistakes most first-time and repeat mortgage buyers make when they go to finance or refinance their home.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) December 4, 2009 -- For many homebuyers and homeowners, historically low rates and the new tax incentives on housing in the government's economic-stimulus bill are like manna from heaven. But if you're a first-time buyer or looking to refinance your existing home, here's something you should chew on first: the latest book by mortgage expert Dale Vermillion, Navigating Mortgage Maze: The Simple Truth About Financing Your Home.

Vermillion reveals more than just the facts about mortgages and proven ways to recapture personal wealth being wasted on interest and debt. He also offers truths about life itself that, if applied, can set you on the path to financial independence and true happiness. The result is a book that's far more than a success formula or how-to guide.

The author learned the hard way that happiness is something money can't buy. At the age of 14, his father was involved in a work accident that nearly took his life. Months later, his older brother died in a drowning incident. This left a void in Vermillion's life that he attempted to fill with money, success and alcohol.

At age 20, he started out as a loan officer without a college degree. By age 30, he was a senior executive at a national mortgage company. He had achieved the kind of financial wealth he had always dreamed of, but he didn't feel "wealthy."

He remembers, "Emotionally, I could not understand how a loving God could take my brother, devastate our family, and let me wander into all kinds of troubles that led to pain, suffering and guilt. Yet I still knew that I needed to learn about God and test what the Bible claimed to be Truth. After doing so, I made a leap of faith and committed my life to Jesus Christ."

Today, Vermillion is happily married with four children, and is now a prominent international speaker, consultant and industry expert. He has trained more than 500,000 mortgage professionals and consulted with 140 of the nation's largest and most successful mortgage companies. He has also been featured in national publications like Good Housekeeping and on national programs, including FOX News and FOXBusiness.com, and can be heard frequently on Moody radio.

In March 2006, Vermillion founded MPPH, a nonprofit organization designed to provide food, shelter and other services to children and families across rural India.

In Navigating, he shares both his personal experiences and his professional expertise, helping readers avoid all the "turns" and "sharp corners"--those mistakes most first-time and repeat mortgage buyers make when they go to finance or refinance their home--including the top 10 mortgage mistakes homeowners make. Other topics include:

• How to buy a home or refinance your mortgage and put yourself in the best possible position for true financial strength and independence

• How to understand the opportunities locked inside your home's equity and use them to achieve your financial goals

• How to approach mortgage financing as an investment, not a debt

• How to eliminate the debt and take back control of your finances

The book also offers hope for individuals who do not have the equity or income to qualify for a mortgage, including specific steps a person can take to improve their financial situation, eliminate debt, and prepare for future mortgage opportunities.

Most of Vermillion's book focuses on personal wealth building, but it also reveals the keys to finding life's true riches. He concludes, "If I had focused this book on money alone, it would fall short of providing the life-changing knowledge I want readers to have in the critical areas of life that really matter--family, legacy and faith."

To learn more or for review copies, contact Janis Backing, publicity manager for Moody Publishers, at 312-329-2108 or janis(dot)backing(at)moody(dot)edu.

http://www.mortgagempowered.com/

Card Hub® Launches Facebook Application - Eliminating the Guesswork from the Gift-Giving Process

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:07:00 +0000

CardHub.com Unveils First-of-Kind Tool for Consumers in the Market for Gift Cards

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) December 3, 2009 -- According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend nearly $24 billion on gift cards this holiday season. Additionally, gift cards (http://gifts.cardhub.com/us/gift-cards/) are the most requested gift for the third year in a row - over half of adults said they would like to receive a gift card and almost 80 percent of people plan to buy one this holiday season. However, given these statistics, how do consumers know which gift cards to choose for their friends and loved ones this season and beyond? To answer this question, Card Hub® is pleased to announce the launch of its Gift Card application for Facebook (http://apps.facebook.com/cardhub/wishlist/) – a completely free, first-of-its-kind gift-giving tool. The Gift Card application from Card Hub® removes the hassle from the process for gift givers and ensures that the receivers will be happy with the gift card they’ve gotten.

The primary feature of the Gift Card application is the Gift Card Wish List. In less than 60 seconds, it allows users to pick their favorite stores and share their selections with their friends, giving them potential spending power at places they actually like. Currently, there are hundreds of stores to choose from including restaurants, department stores and e-retailers, and that list is constantly growing. What’s more is that users with niche or special interests can add stores to the application that wouldn’t be top-of-mind to most consumers, simply by keying in the associated URL.

In addition to the Wish List functionality, this exciting and timely new Facebook application offers secondary features, which are unique and separate it from other gift card depots in the market, including:

Gift Card Exchange

Friends can post gift cards that they want to buy or sell at a discount. Transactions occur directly between friends. There is no middleman to deal with and because the exchange is always between friends, trust is ensured.

Gift Card Raffle

Users are eligible to win a free gift card every week by just having a gift card wish list. The more friends you have with wish lists the higher the chances of winning.

“This holiday season, more so than any other in our recent past, the economy demands that consumers make wise decisions about gift-giving. It’s important for people to know that they’re not wasting their money, and that gifts they plan to give are wanted and will be used,” said Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO & Founder of CardHub.com. “Our Gift Card application for Facebook was developed to help remove uncertainties from both sides of the equation of the gift-giving process, during the holiday season and beyond.”

In addition to standard events like birthdays and the winter holiday season, Gift Card application users can exchange alerts for other important dates whereupon one would receive gifts, such as anniversaries, graduations or weddings. This can be done simply by modifying the Gift Card Wish List user preferences. For more information or to experience the Gift Card application for Facebook from CardHub.com please visit http://apps.facebook.com/cardhub/wishlist/.

About CardHub.com:

CardHub.com is the leading and most robust credit card comparison Web site in the U.S., and has revolutionized the way consumers search for, compare and apply for financial products. CardHub.com’s one-of-a-kind dynamic search engine allows consumers to find the best gift cards (http://gifts.cardhub.com/us/gift-cards/), credit cards (http://www.cardhub.com/credit-cards/), charge cards and prepaid credit cards (http://www.cardhub.com/prepaid-cards/) for their needs. CardHub.com is parented by Evolution Finance, which was recently named one of the five hottest start-up companies in the mid-Atlantic region.

Top 5 Holiday Home Safety Tips for 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:05:00 +0000

Help keep your home and family safe this holiday season with these tips from Security Choice.

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) December 3, 2009 -- The holidays are here and their arrival brings time with family, great food and fun holiday parties. As people fill their homes with gifts and decorations, home security (www.securitychoice.com/adt-home-security-benefits.html) and safety should be at the top of the holiday checklist. Security Choice, a leading online resource for the best in home security systems, offers the following tips for keeping homes and loved ones safe this holiday season.

Don’t display big gifts – Giving and receiving gifts is a fun part of the holidays, but if big ticket items like gaming consoles and TV’s end up under the tree, conceal the evidence. Burglars often look for boxes near the trash to give them an idea of what to expect inside a home. To be safe, break down boxes so they fit inside the trash can.

Don’t use holiday lights 24/7 – It’s important to turn off all home holiday lights before going to bed or leaving for an extended period of time. And never hook up one extension cord to another. Purchase extension cords that are long enough to stretch across the room to prevent an electrical or fire hazard.

Do background checks - If carpet cleaners, housekeepers or other home service professionals are in the home to help prepare for guests, check their track record. Many criminals are in a house for other reasons before they return to burglarize it. Make sure to use services that are reliable and never leave spare keys for a repair person or housekeeper.

Activate the home alarm – Set the home alarm system (www.securitychoice.com) when leaving the house – especially during the day. According to the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report, daytime burglaries increased by more than 6 percent in 2008. Close blinds and put away expensive holiday gifts and valuables.

Leaving town? Leave the lights on – People often think leaving one house light on is enough to make a home look occupied. But it’s just the opposite. Place timers on two or three lights throughout the house so they turn on and off at different times. This gives the home a more ‘lived in’ appearance.

Follow these home security (www.securitychoice.com/adt-wireless-home-security-system.html) and home safety tips for a fun and relaxing holiday season. For additional home security information, visit www.securitychoice.com.

After Voluntary Disclosure Initiative Closes, IRS Moves On To Information Document Requests For Offshore Account Holders

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:03:00 +0000

In the wake of the UBS AG fallout and the closing of its Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative on October 15, 2009, the IRS continues to wage its attack on offshore tax evasion. One IRS tactic is to issue an Information Document Request – or IDR – to taxpayers suspected of having unreported foreign bank accounts requesting documents and materials related to the foreign accounts. DC tax attorney Kevin Thorn discusses the potential for more IDRs to be issued as the result of information received by the IRS from UBS and the significant participation in the Voluntary Disclosure Initiative.

In the wake of the UBS AG fallout and the closing of its Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative on October 15, 2009, the IRS plans to continue to wage its attack on offshore tax evasion. It is clear that offshore tax evasion remains a top IRS enforcement priority. So what can U.S. taxpayers expect next? One IRS tactic is to issue an Information Document Request – or IDR – to taxpayers suspected of having unreported foreign bank accounts.

DC tax attorney Kevin Thorn (http://www.thorntaxlaw.com/attorneys/Kevin+E./Thorn/)of Thorn Law Group, PLLC (http://www.thorntaxlaw.com)says he has seen “a sharp increase in the number of IDRs requesting information specifically related to the taxpayer’s foreign bank accounts.” According to Thorn, this trend will likely continue for at least the next three to six months. Taxpayers may receive a Form 6564, Information Document Request, from the IRS to secure necessary books, papers, records, and other data relevant to the IRS examiner’s inquiry into the validity of a tax return. Among other information requested by the IDR, will be a request for materials and information related to the taxpayer’s foreign bank accounts.

Notes Thorn, “it is hardly a coincidence that the taxpayers receiving these IDRs all have foreign accounts, many of which are still undisclosed.” The IRS acknowledged it received voluminous information as a result of taxpayer participation in the Offshore Settlement Initiative. “No doubt the IRS is harvesting the information it received as a result of UBS prosecution as well as through the Offshore Settlement Initiative to identify account holders who have not yet come forward,” adds Thorn.

In 2009, the IRS and U.S. Department of Justice launched a highly publicized investigation into Swiss bank UBS AG and U.S. accountholders who failed to disclose their assets to the U.S. Government. However, the investigation did not end with UBS. According to the Department of Justice, the government is looking at information sharing agreements with other banks around the world, similar to the agreement it entered into with UBS. Also, IRS information-gathering efforts were bolstered by the response to its recently-closed settlement initiative which encouraged taxpayers to come forward and make a voluntary disclose of their foreign assets at UBS and other offshore banks in exchange for reduced penalties.

The Information Document Request is a formal and structured process for the IRS to request and secure information from taxpayers, including information regarding offshore bank accounts. Although less formal than a subpoena, the IDR carries with it consequences for failure to cooperate and can lead to further inquiry and potential sanction. IDRs are frequently issued as part of an IRS audit.

The IRS will focus Information Document Requests on U.S. taxpayers with offshore assets and accounts that failed to disclose these interests to the U.S. government on their Form 1040, U.S. Individual Tax Returns, and file a corresponding Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). If IRS agents discover that a taxpayer has not reported an interest in an offshore account or income accruing on such accounts during the course of an audit, the IRS may impose steep penalties—including the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the offshore account balance for willful failure to file an FBAR for each account. These penalties, compounded with interest and fraud penalties, can essentially wipe out the taxpayer’s foreign assets. Additionally, taxpayers could be subject to criminal prosecution and jail time for tax evasion.

Thorn advises that, although the deadline to participate in the Offshore Settlement Initiative has passed, U.S. taxpayers with undisclosed offshore accounts can still make a voluntary disclosure. Says Thorn, “the penalties may be higher now [than those paid by Initiative participants, but it is always better to disclose to the IRS yourself than to have the IRS approach you after finding out about your offshore accounts from someone else.”

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release, contact Kevin E. Thorn or visit www.thorntaxlaw.com.

Hatch My House, an Interactive Gift Registry Launches

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:03:00 +0000

An interactive gift registry - to help couples and individuals save for a down payment, home improvements or furniture - launches for public use.

(PRWEB) December 2, 2009 -- An interactive gift registry, Hatch My House (HMH), allows couples and individuals to collect and save money towards a home in a unique and personal way. Using the graphic image of a house, visitors donate towards their family member’s or friend’s house fund by purchasing a part of that house such as a window, the front door or even a set of wineglasses! Visitors get to have fun while donating and users get to design, visualize - and hopefully realize - their ‘dream’ home!

HOW IT WORKS (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/how-it-works/how-it-works-sign-up.html) Following five simple steps, users set up a registry towards a home.

• To begin, in step 1, users write a welcome note to their visitors describing the goal of the house fund – whether that be a down payment, home improvements or even furniture.

• In step 2, users customize their 'dream' house, selecting their desired setting, style - craftsman or brownstone (with more on the way) - and color.

• Users finalize their registry in step 3 by linking their new or existing PayPal account to HMH. By completing a simple form verifying their PayPal email, they’re ready for step 4 - to publish their registry.

• In step 4 users pay a one-time sign up fee of $24.95 to publish their registry and get directed to their personalized URL link.

• By copying this link, in step 5, users direct family members and friends to their registry - and starting saving towards a home immediately!

HOW IT COMPARES (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/how-it-works/how-we-compare.html) By using Hatch My House, users take advantage of PayPal, reaping the benefits of being aligned with a 10-year money transfer service business and a built-in security infrastructure (http://www.paypal.com/security), which includes data encryption and fraud prevention tools.

Users also benefit from lower transaction fees in comparison to other online gift registries; Paypal’s transaction fees are some of the lowest in the industry at 2.9% plus $0.30. In addition, HMH gives visitors the option to pay the transaction fee for the user, so some may never see such fees applied to their gifts!

WHO USES IT (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/about.html) Hatch My House can be used by anyone who wants to save money for a home, but may especially interest engaged couples planning a wedding and saving for a down payment. Additionally, families in need of home repairs caused by a natural disaster can benefit from Hatch My House.

HMH registries often accompany an event such as a wedding, fundraiser, birthday or holiday celebration.

THE CREATORS BEHIND IT (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/about/ourstory.html) Rieve and Erin-Marie MacEwen developed the idea for Hatch My House in the spring of 2008, just months after becoming engaged. Living together before getting married, as more than 50% of couples now do, they realized they did not necessarily need the things listed on a typical wedding registry. The thing they needed most was help with a down payment on a home. Living in San Francisco, a down payment seemed to be an unobtainable goal. However, they thought with a small start from friends and family their goal might actually be reached.

With help from family, friends, the business community and web development firm, SaberLogic, Rieve and Erin-Marie launched Hatch My House for personal use just days before their April 2009 wedding. In a little more than six months, they were able to save a few thousand dollars towards their future home using the gifts from their HMH registry. Now, they hope to give others the same opportunity by launching Hatch My House for public use.

For more information on HMH, visit www.hatchmyhouse.com (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/), read customer testimonials (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/testimonials.html) or check out an example registry (http://www.hatchmyhouse.com/component/hmh/2009_10_10_Michelle_Driscoll_&_Jake_Rosen.html).

Financial Professional Brett S. Ellen Advises Investors to Follow Plan, Not Gut

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:01:00 +0000

According to Calabasas-based Brett S. Ellen, investors prone to making emotional decisions should be especially on guard this year. Many are mourning 2008 losses, yet simultaneously hopeful about the market’s broad gains in so far in 2009. This unprecedented combination of fear and greed could significantly impede rational decision making. In fact, behavioral finance research shows that no matter how long someone has been investing -- or however vehemently they insist they will be guided by reason – they will likely repeat their past emotionally-driven blunders. People follow the crowd and cash out at the wrong time or jump on the bandwagon too late.

Calabasas, CA (PRWEB) December 2, 2009 -- According to Calabasas-based Brett S. Ellen, investors prone to making emotional decisions should be especially on guard this year. Many are mourning 2008 losses, yet simultaneously hopeful about the market’s broad gains in so far in 2009. This unprecedented combination of fear and greed could significantly impede rational decision making. In fact, behavioral finance research shows that no matter how long someone has been investing -- or however vehemently they insist they will be guided by reason – they will likely repeat their past emotionally-driven blunders. People follow the crowd and cash out at the wrong time or jump on the bandwagon too late.

“Just consider how you behave in rush hour traffic,” explains Ellen, President of American Financial Network. “Your lane comes to a near halt, but it seems the next lane is moving fairly well. Convinced that you have greater insight than the other drivers, you maneuver and switch lanes. Of course, as soon as you do, your original lane starts moving and you find yourself sitting still. It’s a futile exercise you repeat day after day, although you know you’ve failed in the past and have no proof that your current maneuvering will be successful.”

Lanes of traffic are the investment strategies or asset classes that move in and out of favor about as predictably as rush hour traffic. In the end, the same emotional instincts that lead to frustration during a traffic jam can curtail the ability to make rational financial decisions. “As a financial advisor, I offer a helpful and comforting bird’s eye view of traffic as I am evaluating the big picture rather than just comparing your rate of speed with the car next to you,” says Ellen. Because investors’ irrational behavior is at least predictable, professional advisors often provide a more rational, and beneficial, framework for financial decision-making.

Ellen offers the following advice to help keep emotions in check:

• Understand the root of stress. When under stress, adrenal glands release adrenaline and cortisol hormones that affect the brain and cause a short- term focus, increased pessimism, impaired concentration, a reduced attention span, and decreased patience. Accordingly, with perspective altered by stress, individuals are more likely to make impulsive decisions that can negatively impact their finances. Understanding the biology behind emotions may help avoid having short-term market volatility play on emotions and destroy the discipline necessary for successful long-term investing.

• Stay engaged. Behavioral finance suggests that the more complex the problem, the more likely individuals are to choose the default option, or in the worst case do nothing. Plenty of investors still seem frozen, afraid to make financial decisions. However, doing nothing to respond to today’s transitioning market is, in fact, a decision -- and one that could result in significant missed opportunities. Focusing on the many things that are right with life, as well as emerging market opportunities can help maintain involvement with personal finances.

• Return to your plan. An investment policy (IP) statement should spell out short- and long-term goals, the investments to best achieve those dreams, and actions to be taken in the event of a market downturn. Collectively, the IP answers the question: Why am I investing? When asking, “Should I move to cash?” Ellen asks, “What are your goals?” and “Is your current investment mix still appropriate for those goals?”

• Focus on specifics. Whether deciding on 401(k) options or salad dressing at a restaurant, too many choices can make the job more difficult. In an environment where investors may be energized by the market’s gains, but cautious about how to move forward, be more specific about what is owned. Each investment should have a particular role to play in the portfolio, and the more transparency the better.

• Lengthen the time horizon. To avoid making a quick fix portfolio move in response to some newspaper headline, lengthen perspective by reviewing long-term goals. How will a decision made today impact life over a five-, ten-, or 15-year time horizon? Given that timeframe, does the current allocation need tweaking to capitalize on opportunities or mitigate risk?

• Embrace the process. If sailing from Point A to Point B, it’s impossible to travel in a straight line. In fact, sailing is nothing more than a series of corrections to get back on course towards the ultimate destination. Because the market is as unpredictable as the wind and weather, it’s important to look at the need to make a portfolio change as necessary and expected, rather than as an unexpected negative.

Above all, especially in this transitioning market environment, be careful of investment advice. “It never ceases to amaze me how many people follow their neighbor’s advice,” says Ellen. “Think about it. You probably don’t drive the same car as your neighbor, spend your leisure time in the same way, or share the same retirement goals. So why would his investments be a good match for you? What’s more, he certainly has limited information about your long-term goals and risk tolerance.” Instead, Ellen recommends seeking a professional advisor whose values center around putting your needs first and committing to ongoing financial planning. The planning process can help investors overcome emotional biases, think positively, and make more rational investment decisions to maintain the long-term investment perspective that is essential to meeting individual goals.

About Brett Ellen and American Financial Network

Brett Ellen, founder and president of American Financial Network, is a financial planner and investment advisor representative with Securities America Advisors who specializes in wealth management and corporate benefit planning services. Additionally, Ellen established and is an active part of the Financial Solutions Alliance, a network of financial service providers from across the country that work collaboratively to address the financial and business needs of their clients. Unprecedented in his ability to serve both individual investors and corporate planners, Ellen is recognized by Securities America as their top advisor.

Ellen, who believes strongly in giving back to his community, received the 2009 Investment News Community Leadership Award in Mentoring. He and his firm actively support a variety of non-profit organizations. In 2008, the Muscular Dystrophy Association awarded Ellen the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Investment News Community Leadership Award for his philanthropic endeavors and excellence in mentoring. In 2001 he and his wife, inspired by their children, formed their own non-profit. TKOHelpingHands.org (Turn Kindness On) promotes community involvement and social responsibilities in young children. Ellen also writes a finance blog for children - www.KidsFinanceCoach.com - to help them understand important concepts and become financially literate and responsible adults. For more information about Brett Ellen, visit www.afn-net.com.

‘Spend Carefully over Christmas’, Personal Finance Website Warns

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:57:00 +0000

Personal finance website MoneyStand.co.uk will launch a new series on seasonal spending from this Friday to advise consumers on budgeting and spending less over the festive season.

(PRWEB) November 24, 2009 -- During tough economic times with rising levels of personal insolvency, one UK website is offering consumers reliable, factual and helpful money advice.

Personal finance weblog MoneyStand.co.uk has been providing information and opinions on personal finance since January 2008. The blog was created for UK consumers facing common financial issues wanting honest, up front information with no hidden agendas. The website will be launching a series of articles on seasonal spending this Friday to help consumers spend less over the festive season and start sensible budgeting.

According to a report released by government body The Insolvency Service at the start of November, personal insolvencies have risen by 28.8 percent in the past year. This figure consisted of consumers who had opted for bankruptcy, IVA (http://www.debtfreedirect.co.uk/iva/iva/) or a Debt Relief Order to overcome their debt problems. Although the increase in individuals seeking personal insolvencies may be attributed to a rise in unemployment, MoneyStand.co.uk estimates that this figure will continue to rise during 2010 following excessive spending over the festive season.

Founder Matt Spencer said, “Along with Christmas and seasonal celebrations comes a heavy expense. Thousands of families across the United Kingdom will find themselves with obscene credit card bills during January and face the difficult question of how to pay it back and get out of debt.”

“We have seen a massive increase of personal insolvencies since the economic downturn and estimate the further financial pressure that Christmas brings will be the ‘final straw’ for many people already struggling with debt without careful budgeting. We urge consumers to spend carefully over the holiday season.”

MoneyStand.co.uk is a resource for anyone in the United Kingdom wanting to learn more about debt solutions such as IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangements), bankruptcy, debt relief orders, debt management plans and consolidation loans. The weblog also focuses on debit and credit cards, budgeting and saving. In addition to as becoming a valuable source for information, the website offers practical advice on small changes consumers can make in their everyday life to make the most of their financial situation.

As well as providing information on debt solutions like IVAs and debt management, the authors share their own personal experiences with money, such as problems with banks and opinions on finance news. “MoneyStand is a financial hub for anyone in the United Kingdom who wants practical advice on managing finances and debt problems without the jargon.” Matt Spencer explained. “All articles are written by people with extensive knowledge on personal finance and all facts are taken from government websites so you can be sure the information is accurate and up-to-date.”

Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the website has noticed an increased amount of consumers seeking sensible financial advice in easy to comprehend terminology. During this time the website has committed to providing consumers the latest information on topical personal finance issues.

The website will be launching the new series of articles this Friday on helping people in the United Kingdom avoid overspending during the Festive Season.

For the latest news and advice on IVA, debt and insolvency visit our personal finance blog, http://www.moneystand.co.uk.

Stuckey & Company Offers Free White Paper on High-Value Home Coverage

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:56:00 +0000

Stuckey & Company, a specialty insurance provider that works with over 10,000 licensed agents nationwide, has published a white paper on High-Value Home Coverage to educate insurance agents and their affluent customers about the need for specialized insurance for homes over $1 million in value.

(PRWEB) December 2, 2009 -- Most high-wealth individuals obtain their professional services from wealth managers, tax advisors and estate planners specialized in working with substantial assets and complex financial issues. But remarkably, about 75% of the very affluent households in the US are covered through mass-market insurance companies, with homeowners policies that could leave them deeply out-of-pocket in the event of a disaster or crisis. Stuckey & Company, a specialty insurance provider that works with over 10,000 licensed agents nationwide, has published a white paper on High-Value Home Coverage to educate insurance agents and their affluent customers about the need for specialized insurance for homes over $1 million in value. The white paper can be downloaded for free at http://www.stuckey.com/products/personal/high-value-home-white-paper.pdf

Stuckey & Company developed its High-Value Home program to meet the unique needs of highly successful individuals in covering their distinctive or custom homes. Stuckey & Company offers a wide variety of options in the High-Value Home insurance market, including Chubb Signature Services and AIG Private Client Group property and casualty insurance solutions. The coverage can be customized to protect the total assets of the wealthy homeowner, which often includes collections and complex infrastructure investments that mass-market homeowners policies do not cover.

As Charles Williamson, president of AIG Private Client Group explains, “Many extremely affluent clients are like small companies and require services similar to those of a commercial customer.”

When compared to standard home coverages, high-value home policies offer:

• Broader, more responsive coverage, with 360-degree protection for complex systems (heating, electrical, plumbing) and unique homes (historic homes, condominiums and co-ops, vacation homes) that you won’t find in standard homeowners policies

• Hands-on “Concierge” level service, from initial appraisal to claims handling

• Innovative, intelligent solutions for private collections, excess liability, and more

Stuckey & Company has worked closely with carriers to ensure this breadth of coverage comes without the high price tag you might expect. Stuckey & Company programs feature competitive pricing without sacrificing quality of service or breadth of coverage. High deductible options are also available to control costs.

Any agent representing affluent clients and covering their distinctive homes will benefit from learning more about Stuckey & Company’s newest high-value home market, even if their current client base does not need the highest level of coverage.

About Stuckey & Company

Stuckey & Company is a specialty insurance provider based in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. For 18 years, Stuckey has offered commercial, professional and personal lines of insurance. Stuckey & Company’s network of 10,000 licensed agents has the knowledge and experience in dealing with specific coverage not typically covered under standard policies. In addition to the High-Value Home Coverage from the AIG Private Client Group and Chubb Personal Insurance, Stuckey & Company offers a broad spectrum of coverage options for more traditional homeowners.

Stuckey specializes in Errors and Omissions insurance for technology companies, architects and engineers, and IT consultants. It is also Managing General Agent of the HarborGuard marine insurance program. As one of the fastest-growing specialty insurance providers in the U.S., Stuckey & Company offers coverage to over 300 miscellaneous professional liability classes in sectors that include consulting, engineering, accounting and financial services, government services, media, laboratories and education. Coverage limits are available for many risks up to $5 million. It also offers a variety of standard insurance policies through its personal lines and commercial lines. Additional information about insurance plans from Stuckey & Company is available at online at http://www.stuckey.com or by calling 1-800-828-3452. To request information by mail, write to Stuckey & Company, 28 Hawk Ridge Circle, Suite 200, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367.

Mortgage Shopping Done The Ebay Way

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:54:00 +0000

A quick and hassle free mortgage shopping tool with great rates and terms for consumers to choose from. One simple 2-minute application will help you avoid the repeated phone calls asking the same questions, and most importantly no repeated inquiries made to their credit report.

(PRWEB) December 2, 2009 -- Homeowners looking to refinance their mortgage or to obtain a new mortgage now have a revolutionary new online resource in BrokerBids.com (www.brokerbids.com (https://www.brokerbids.com)). The site is designed to help connect consumers with mortgage professionals that offer them the best rate and terms without the hassle of high volume phone calls through out the process. Instead of going through the traditional process of answering the same application questions for each financial institution, and having repeated inquiries made to their credit report, while receiving numerous unwanted phone calls to gain their business, BrokerBids users have access to a simplified mortgage shopping process with just one application (https://www.brokerbids.com/mblp_consumer_registration1.php), zero phone calls, and only one credit inquiry.

Traditionally, mortgage shoppers go from bank to bank and complete an application to receive their offers, or request information through an online website and have numerous lenders call them to take the application. Mortgage shoppers would have to complete a new application each time they applied, answering the same questions, and be inundated with phone calls from lenders to gain their business. More importantly, consumers had to give out their social security number to each institution in order to check their credit, adding to their list of inquiries, increasing the risk of identify theft, and potentially lowering their overall credit score.

The biggest hassles with this traditional method of mortgage shopping are that once consumers had completed their search for that perfect mortgage, odds are that they would still receive phone calls, emails, and junk mailers long after their needs had been met, and not to mention dealing with dishonest lenders that would quote one rate, and give another at the closing table.

BrokerBids has a better business model for helping consumers find the best mortgages. Consumers simply complete the "Mortgage Bids" (https://www.brokerbids.com/mblp_consumer_registration1.php) application online and have only one inquiry made to their credit. The necessary details such as credit score range, balances, payment history, are provided in a summary to BrokerBids brokers and lenders, which review the information provided, and respond with their best offer to consumers. Private messages may be exchanged to clarify any questions or details, and from the offers received the consumer may select a winning bid if they choose to move forward.

The consumer's name, social security number, address are not disclosed. Each offer they receive includes its own good faith estimate, which they can view online or print out and review. Consumers also get to view the broker's feedback rating which allows them to see past consumer experiences. All offers are blind, meaning that the brokers and lenders cannot view each other's bids, only the consumer may view all. Once their mortgage needs have been met they may leave a feedback rating of their own, based on their experience, for their broker. This helps to ensure consumers' get what they were initially promised.

For more information regarding the Mortgage Bids program please visit www.brokerbids.com (https://www.brokerbids.com), or call toll free 800-259-BIDS.

East Coast Fertility Offers Hope This Holiday Season by Helping Couples Finance Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:52:00 +0000

East Coast Fertility is reaching out this holiday season with a gift of hope. Dr. David Kreiner and the ECF team will be at the Roosevelt Field Mall Saturday Dec 5th through Sunday Dec 13th on the main level next to Starbucks to offer free information and consultations about fertility treatments and financing options.

(Vocus) December 2, 2009 -- One in six couples in the United States struggles with infertility. As the holiday season approaches, the inability to fulfill that dream of having a child can be especially painful. It is supposed to be a time to celebrate family, but for many couples it is just a reminder of what they do not have. Many feel hopeless because they lack good information and because the financial burden of treatment is extreme.

East Coast Fertility (http://www.eastcoastfertility.com) is reaching out this holiday season with a gift of hope. Dr. David Kreiner and the ECF team will be at the Roosevelt Field Mall Saturday Dec 5th through Sunday Dec 13th on the main level next to Starbucks to offer free information and consultations about fertility treatments and financing options. They will also distribute coupons that can be applied to fertility medications. Dr. Kreiner and his team want to send the message that there are affordable options for couples who want a child. “Finances do not have to be a roadblock to your dreams of having a family,” says Dr. Kreiner. “At ECF we help patients by offering them several ways to reduce the costs of treatment.”

ECF’s single embryo transfer program (http://www.eastcoastfertility.com/singleembryotransfer.cfm) is one of those options. It includes a standard In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle, cryopreservation, embryo storage and unlimited frozen embryo transfers all for the price of a single IVF procedure. ECF also participates in the New York State Department of Health Grant program, and even offers their own sliding scale grants to patients who qualify. Another cost effective treatment plan is their Micro IVF (http://www.eastcoastfertility/microivf.cfm) regimen which requires less medication and less monitoring, thus reducing the cost. They also offer a “shared risk program” where patients can pay an upfront fee depending on their age and history for 6 retrievals. If they are unsuccessful in achieving a live birth, the patient receives a full refund. Finally, ECF has an IVF Study program where patients can receive discounts if they participate in certain research studies.

“So come meet us at the Roosevelt Field Mall,” says Pamela Madsen, celebrated fertility blogger (www.thefertilityadvocate.com) and member of the ECF staff. “And if you are not affected, but know someone who is, spread the word to them about this opportunity. Your outreach can give them hope this holiday season and make their dreams of having children a reality.” For more information, call 516-939-2229 or visit www.eastcoastfertility.com.

CUDL Presented With Second Summit International Marketing Effectiveness Award For Cu Member Program

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:51:00 +0000

CUSO’s AutoSMART Program and Website Recognized for Excellence in Marketing Strategy and Effectiveness in Auto Lending Arena

Ontario, CA (PRWEB) December 3, 2009 -- CUDL (www.cudl.com), which administers the nation’s largest auto lending network for credit unions, has announced that the company’s AutoSMART Program and website (www.cudlautosmart.com) has been presented with Summit International’s 2009 Marketing Effectiveness Award (MEA).

CUDL’s AutoSMART Program and website, which competed against more than 500 entries globally in the Consumer Services Product Campaign Category, was recognized for outstanding achievement in the areas of Marketing Strategy and Effectiveness. This is the company’s second Summit MEA award in three years for the AutoSMART program.

Developed specifically for credit unions and their member base, the AutoSMART Program and website provides CUDL’s 700+ partnering credit unions a flexible, versatile vehicle shopping and research site that they can brand, customize, and market to members as their own. As a result, the program provides credit unions with a key resource designed to enhance overall member satisfaction and drive member financing.

For credit union members, the AutoSMART website provides a state-of-the-art car shopping experience, offering robust vehicle research capabilities and an expanded library of online automobile shopping resources designed to help them get a good deal on their next vehicle purchase. A companion to the website, the quarterly AutoSMART magazine, developed by CUDL, provides members with further insight to auto shopping, financing, and car care tips.

The 8,000+ auto dealers that currently participate in the CUDL AutoSMART program benefit from their ability to network with CUDL credit unions, connecting with the 20 million members they represent. Through the CUDL AutoSMART program, dealerships also have the ability to post their vehicle inventories online, both locally and nationally, providing an additional advertising source to drive new customer opportunities. Currently, over 510,000 vehicles from dealer inventories nationwide are listed on the AutoSMART website.

“Our goal is to provide our credit union partners with a program and online resource that will both help increase member retention and grow their auto loan portfolio, while also providing members with the most sophisticated, complete vehicle research and shopping website available today,” said Mike Federoff, CUDL’s Associate Vice President of Products. “For dealers, the AutoSMART site provides an ideal opportunity to connect with credit unions and their car buying members in order to expand into new markets and grow their customer base.”

The Summit MEA competition is based on the premise that the goal of marketing communications is to change, influence or reinforce a target audience's knowledge, attitudes, or beliefs. Using this premise as a basis for its judging criteria, the competition is becoming a true arbiter of marketing communication effectiveness. During the 2009 event, judges analyzed submissions and selected only 18% to receive the top spots.

“Distinguishing between creativity and effectiveness is a difficult task so winning a Summit MEA is a significant achievement,” said Jocelyn Luciano, Executive Director for the Summit International Awards. “The combination of experienced judges and our tough criteria ensures that only deserving submissions receive Summit MEA recognition.”

The Summit International Awards organization is devoted to furthering excellence in the communications industry. It administers rigorous award competitions throughout the year with the goal of recognizing companies and individuals that do more than what is expected.

About CUDL

CUDL® is the nation’s leading lending solutions provider to the credit union industry. Through a full range of best-in class products and services, CUDL improves credit unions’ ability to maximize vehicle loan growth, analyze and manage loan portfolios, increase revenue and reduce risk. As a Credit Union-owned Service Organization, CUDL develops solutions that help credit unions to more effectively market vehicle lending to members, evaluate risk and revenue potential of loan portfolios, complete member vehicle loans at the point-of-purchase, provide reliable aftermarket services, and make automated loan decisions.

More than 700 credit unions and 9,000 dealerships nationwide rely on CUDL’s national lending network to better serve members’ vehicle shopping needs and drive member financing at the point of purchase. For more information about CUDL visit www.cudl.com and www.cudlautosmart.com.

About Summit International Awards

Throughout its sixteen-year history, the organization has established itself as one of the premier arbiters of communication excellence. Companies and individuals from more than 50 countries across five continents participate annually in its awards programs. The organization conducts three awards each year: Summit Creative Award, Summit Emerging Media Award and Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award. Additional information about the Summit International Awards and its programs is available at www.summitawards.com.

New Book Discusses Economic and Financial Instability

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:46:00 +0000

Encourages readers to lean on Word of God to conquer rising debts

Longwood, FL (PRWEB) December 2, 2009 -- Among the controversies about the current money system in the United States, the most contentious is Jekyll Island or the Federal Reserve System. Ever since the organizations have been formed, the debt in and of the United States continues to rise. The American people are like sheep being led to the slaughter, and the bankers' greed will not be fulfilled until America wakes up homeless on the ground their forefathers built. Learn how to break free from this cycle with author Anthony Reinglas' Thy Kingdom Come - Overcoming in a Failing Economy ($14.99, paperback, 978-1-61579-314-3; $22.99, hardcover, 978-1-61579-437-9), a highly informative new book that discusses economic and financial instability, the controversies behind the Federal Reserve System, and how to achieve economic and financial success through the Word of God.

"In times such as these, people need to be armed with true understanding," the author says. "This book has been reviewed by many political, spiritual, and various [other prominent people who all agree it is life-changing, mind-altering, and definitely a book to read!"

Within the pages of this book, readers will learn: the origin of the current money system and where it's going, the planned failure of the system, how America has exchanged the golden calf in Exodus for the Wall Street bull, Barack Obama's role in the coming economic meltdown, globalization and why the North American Union was really created, how the current money system is a counterfeit anointing, what the kingdom of this world is and what the kingdom of God is, how to get out of a system they were never designed to be a part of, how to break free and overcome in God's ordained system, and much more!

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Communications, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 7,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Thy Kingdom Come through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Thy Kingdom Come is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

Editors note: Naturally, relying on the "word of god" for financial advice is bullshit.

Invest-it-Yourself.com Gives DIY Investors Inexpensive, Professional Financial Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:45:00 +0000

The market turmoil and investor scandals of the past year have prompted a growing number of Americans to shed their financial advisor and take on the difficult task of personal portfolio management. The DIY investing landscape is full of potential pitfalls, but thankfully, help is on the way in the form of Invest-it-Yourself.com. At this recently launched website, users can get a personalized portfolio recommendation and other investing tools for a fraction of the typical cost of professional financial advice.

(PRWEB) December 2, 2009 -- Investors choose to manage their own portfolios for a variety of reasons. Many enjoy the sense of empowerment that comes with making their own investment decisions, some have difficulty finding a trustworthy advisor that can justify his fees, and others feel like they haven’t saved enough money to get the attention of a skilled professional. Although their source of motivation may differ, the vast majority of DIY investors are looking for the same thing: a reliable financial plan that will maximize their chances of achieving their investment goals.

Unfortunately, research shows that even the most knowledgeable DIY investors fall into return-reducing traps like chasing hot funds and trying to time the stock market. The penalty for these all-too-common investing mistakes can be severe: emotional distress, lifestyle sacrifices and retirement delays. Inundated with advice from the financial media and investment “gurus,” it can be difficult to filter out the noise and develop a sound investment plan.

That’s where Invest-it-Yourself.com can help. This new website was created to assist DIY investors in developing and implementing a disciplined, long-term investing strategy. For a one-time fee, users take a brief, confidential survey to assess their capacity for risk and are instantly given a personalized portfolio recommendation consisting of low-cost index funds and ETFs. The site also contains loads of free research, tools and advice to help investors execute and maintain their portfolios.

Once a user purchases a recommendation, they are free to do with it as they please: purchase the suggested funds on their own, use the prescribed asset allocation as a guide in selecting their own investments, or do nothing at all. Unlike other investment sites, there aren’t any subscriptions or recurring fees, and users aren’t required to provide links to their personal investment accounts. Invest-it-Yourself.com’s recommendations typically cost between $40 and $100 depending on the desired level of portfolio complexity, but the site is offering discounts of 20% or more during December and January, the time of year that most investors check on their portfolios.

George Watkins, the site’s creator, believes that in order for investors to succeed, they must accurately assess their risk attitude and capacity, build a diversified, low-cost portfolio, and most importantly, stick to their plan. He hopes that Invest-it-Yourself.com will give DIY investors the professional tools, knowledge and advice that they need to confidently pursue their investment goals.

About the site author:

George Watkins is President of West Wind Wealth Management, an independent investment advisory firm that specializes in index portfolios. He has a BS in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A former nuclear-trained Naval Officer, George launched Invest-it-Yourself.com because he wanted to make inexpensive, professional financial advice available to everyone. To learn more about George’s investment philosophy, download helpful tools and tips for DIY investors, or purchase a personalized index portfolio recommendation, visit www.invest-it-yourself.com.

SunGard’s WealthStation Helps Advisors Guide Clients through Roth IRA Conversion Decisions

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:44:00 +0000

SunGard (http://www.sungard.com) has enhanced its Roth IRA analysis capabilities for its WealthStation wealth management platform to accommodate new conversion rules taking effect on January 1, 2010. This functionality can help financial advisors provide the guidance their clients need to decide whether or not to convert their traditional individual retirement accounts (IRA) to Roth IRAs.

Salt Lake City, UT (Vocus) November 30, 2009 -- SunGard (http://www.sungard.com) has enhanced its Roth IRA analysis capabilities for its WealthStation wealth management platform to accommodate new conversion rules taking effect on January 1, 2010. This functionality can help financial advisors provide the guidance their clients need to decide whether or not to convert their traditional individual retirement accounts (IRA) to Roth IRAs.

Currently, taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of less than $100,000 in the conversion year may convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (TIPRA) of 2005 eliminates both the MAGI limit and filing status restriction on conversions starting January 1, 2010. While many investors will benefit from converting all or part of their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs, investors are seeking a greater level of assistance from advisors to help them weigh the advantages/disadvantages and timing aspects of making the conversion.

SunGard’s WealthStation provides calculators to help advisors weigh the impact of immediate taxation upon conversion against the tax-free accumulation and withdrawals available within a Roth IRA. The latest WealthStation enhancements not only reflect the unique tax law changes taking place next year, but also help advisors meet a variety of client needs by taking into consideration and illustrating multiple future tax rates. WealthStation provides a side-by-side comparison of different conversion scenarios as well as:

• Provides two methods for calculating the taxes resulting from an IRA conversion: current tax brackets and user defined average tax rates

• Illustrates three IRA alternatives and three time periods to examine different scenarios that take into account the time of conversion, when distributions are to begin, and annual income generated by each alternative

• Graphically displays the cross-over point (i.e. which option produces the largest dollar amount) between keeping a traditional IRA and converting to the Roth IRA based on current and future tax brackets

Blaine Maxfield, chief operating officer of SunGard’s wealth management business, said, “Investors need more guidance in deciding whether or not to convert to Roth IRAs based on their unique situations. These latest WealthStation enhancements will help advisors assist their clients in understanding the full impact of their Roth IRA conversions.”

SunGard is a leading provider of wealth management solutions that help banks, trust companies, brokerage firms, insurance firms, benefit administrators and independent advisors acquire, service and grow their client relationships.

About SunGard’s WealthStation

SunGard’s WealthStation provides wealth managers with tools to help them acquire, service and grow their client relationships. Integrating client management, financial planning, investment management, asset allocation, data aggregation, trading, rebalancing, reporting, client access and compliance tools into a single platform, WealthStation delivers a flexible architecture to help advisors improve their productivity while providing increased service levels to their clients.

About SunGard

SunGard is one of the world’s leading software and IT services companies. SunGard serves more than 25,000 customers in more than 70 countries.

SunGard provides software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education and the public sector. SunGard also provides disaster recovery services, managed IT services, information availability consulting services and business continuity management software.

With annual revenue exceeding $5 billion, SunGard is ranked 435 on the Fortune 500 and is the largest privately held business software and services company on the Forbes list of private businesses. Based on information compiled by Datamonitor*, SunGard is the third largest provider of business applications software after Oracle and SAP. Continuity, Insurance & Risk has recognized SunGard as service provider of the year an unprecedented six times. For more information, please visit SunGard at www.sungard.com.

*January 2009 Technology Vendors Financial Database Tracker http://www.datamonitor.com

Trademark Information: SunGard, the SunGard logo and WealthStation are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunGard Data Systems Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Consumers Purchasing an HDTV this Holiday Season can Shop for HD Service at WhiteFence.com

noreply@blogger.com (Diamondrocketarticles) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Getting the most from a new HDTV requires HD service, which consumers can shop for at WhiteFence, the nation’s leading home service comparison shopping site

Houston, TX (PRWEB) December 1, 2009 -- As HDTV prices continue to come down, more and more American households are making the transition to high-definition television. This holiday season, among the wave of deals retailers will be offering on the devices, many people will be buying HDTVs for the first time. To get the full high-definition experience, new HDTV owners will need to order HD television service. At WhiteFence.com (http://www.whitefence.com/), consumers can discover what HD television (http://www.whitefence.com/category/television-service/) services are available to them, and shop for their new service.

To get started, consumers simply visit WhiteFence.com, enter their home address, and instantly find a list of television providers and packages available at their location. They can then compare all of the plans in an easy to understand format and choose a package that meets both their needs and their budget. Once they have made their selection, they can order their new service through the Web site, all without spending a day calling multiple providers. WhiteFence even lets consumers shop for money-saving bundles (http://www.whitefence.com/category/bundles/) that combine their television service with high-speed Internet and home phone services.

Whether they choose a cable or satellite provider at WhiteFence, consumers can find an affordable television package (http://www.whitefence.com/category/television-service/) that allows them to:

•Get the most from their HDTV with crystal-clear high-definition service

•Control the action like never before with the ability to rewind and pause live TV with DVR service

•Watch shows and movies on their own schedule with on-demand service

WhiteFence aims to connect every American with the best home service options available and is the nation’s leading resource to discover, compare and order television service (http://www.whitefence.com/category/television-service/). Instead of spending a day working out what television companies and packages are available at their location and how they all compare, consumers can save time by using the free service WhiteFence provides. With the holiday season right around the corner, this is the perfect time for consumers planning to buy an HDTV to start shopping for high-definition television service.

About WhiteFence:

WhiteFence is a free service that helps people find the best deals on phone, Internet, television, electricity, natural gas and other home services. By simply entering a street address into the secure site, people looking to save money or start new service can find the most comprehensive list of plans available for their specific address from over 400 nationally recognized partners. As a trusted home service shopping source for 24 million people annually, WhiteFence makes it easy to establish service directly on the site in a few simple steps.