The Investment Coach Limited

June 2011 e-Newsletter: News & Views
Hello,
It has been an exciting first half of 2011. The Investment Coach Limited has now been designated as Chartered Financial Planners (at firm level in addition to individual status), we were short-listed for the New Model Adviser Midlands region 2011 and we have been quoted in the Independent on Sunday. We have a new "coach" in Joanne Read who is heading up The Retirement Coach Limited in London. We have signed up to a photovoltaic scheme to power the office with green energy. We have sponsored the UK land speed attempt in Bloodhound. It could mean our (very discrete) logo gets to travel at 1,000 mph on the tail-fin! And finally, Andrew has embarked on a Masters in Financial Planning and Business management and needs your help (more on that in another newsletter). The above helps to make The Investment Coach a dynamic place to work (and visit, hopefully) but it fails on the "so what test" i.e. "so what does it do to benefit you..."
Thinking caps on
Cash
Everyone needs cash as an emergency fund (approx 3 to 6 months of net pay or equivalent) and that needs to be instant access. Searching for the best rates is well supported by the internet and the comparison sites - it just takes diligence and a good diary system as invariably the best interest rates drop off after a year. We can help with this process but it is really a "DIY" element and The Investment Coach can be better tasked to give bespoke financial advice and coaching around areas that add more value.
However, often clients wish to have more than an emergency amount in cash and are more often than not happy to think medium-term with this money. We know where savings rates are - low - and that is where I have been thinking. The hardest part is to get a real return above inflation. Therefore the NS&I Index-Linked Certificates are worth considering. Even the terms for withdrawal at the first year anniversary are reasonable. As an alternative The Investment Coach has secured access to an unusual savings scheme set up under the Community Investment Tax Relief Account (CITRA) rules. It is a 5 year savings plan which is not actively marketed and therefore by invitation only. It is fully regulated and subscribes to the banking code and is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. It offers up to 0.5% interest but that is not the interesting part: it also offers a 5% per annum tax relief due to the disadvantaged communities the scheme supports.

The above is not individual advice so please get in touch if you would like further information.
Financial Advice - As an industry
By and large I try and stay clear of industry politics with clients - it fails the "so what" test. In any case The Investment Coach with its ethos in technology and client collaboration tries to offer something different to the consensus view. However, the changes coming on 31st December 2012 affect all consumers looking for financial advice. It is called the retail distribution review (RDR). It means that commission will be banned and in comes "consumer agreed remuneration" rather than product determined commission levels that can lead to sales bias and ultimately the potential for mis-selling. The Investment Coach very much supports the RDR and our menu style of remuneration already meets the new rules. Despite some erroneous press reports it does not mean fees only in that the agreed remuneration can still come from the product. We offer predominately fee-based advice but keep the flexibility to be remunerated at product level where this benefits the client. For example, due to tax relief it can be more efficient to pay for advice from within the pension rather than from a taxed bank account. Do check out the Financial Service Authority's website "Changes to the way you receive investment advice".
The little things
We are very appreciative of the client testimonials over the years (see) it is really the only way to grow a business with like-minded people. And we do listen. It took an Italian to inform us that our coffee was not that great. We now have filtered for those who prefer. The seats in our media room were not that comfy...we now have seating suitable for the cushiest "break out" room. Clients could not find the office therefore we have invested in smart customised signage to guide people and have a presence on Google Maps so we can be found by name in the sat nav. Finally, the office can get hot in the summer months so we have invested in a quirky-looking Dyson tower fan which just happens to be in our corporate livery - thank you JD!
Regards,


The Investment Coach Limited
IN THIS ISSUE
                 
QUICK LINKS
About Our Company
News Archive
CONSIDER VOYANT
Voyant does a very colourful lifetime cashflow forecast. This maps out your future finances in real depth and is a fantastic tool to work collaboratively with clients. Do consider getting in touch to discuss the merits and whether it is right for you.

Here is a graphic....(click here)
STILL LOVE DROPBOX
The free file folder sharing system that keeps your PCs/MACs/iPADs/iPhones/Androids in sync.
Try it here

See Andrew describing the benefits to Citywire here
CONTACT DETAILS
The Investment Coach Limited
Phone: (01933) 315698
andrew@theinvestmentcoach.co.uk
www.TheInvestmentCoach.co.uk