Archive for May, 2009


31 May

Is Financial Engines "Personal Asset Manager" worth the 0.6% per year fee?


I have a company 401k and we are offered the services of Financial Engines "Personal Asset Manager". This service's fee is 0.6% of your account balance per year and advertises to provide the following:

"When you enroll in the Personal Asset Manager program, you get peace of mind knowing that professionals are managing your investments for you. You also get toll-free access to Investment Advisor Representatives who can help with any questions you may have."

Is this worth the fee?

It depends. If you know nothing about investing you are probably better off, but if you know about risk and how to balance your own portfolio, you should retain control of your money (includuing the .6% fee they are trying to take).
They offer no guarentees.

31 May

Has anyone heard of Credit First Financial Services of Largo, FL?

I got a call from these people and they offered to call my credit card company to save me $3000 by lowering my interest rate. I did not give them my credit card information. I told them I would check them out and call them back. I checked out the BBB and they were not registered with them. They did not have any complaints against them however. When asked what was in it for them, she said they somehow get their cut from the interest money they save you. She called out of the blue so you can understand my skepticism. Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks.

Check with your local bank and maybe call the State Attorney Generals office.

31 May

What is the difference between Corporate finance major and a Financial Services major?


What is the difference between Corporate finance major and a Financial Services major? And which one has more job opportunities? Can anyone explain it to me? Thanks!

I guess your school seperates the two – most just have Finance majors. The difference amounts to where you would like to work – Financial Services would mean you intended on working for a bank, investment bank, hedge fun, Private Equity firm, Venture Capital, Asset Manager, etc – essentially working on Wall Street.

Corporate Finance jobs are finance jobs inside of a company that produces a product or service other than investing money.

31 May

Transcend Financial Responsibilities With Personal Loan

Despite all your efforts of savings and earning a decent paycheck, you may be stuck in a situation where you require additional finances to support you. What would you do? Ask a friend or relative? There is another alternative that you can opt for if you are facing dearth of finances, which is available in the form of personal loan.

As the name suggests personal needs can be fulfilled by accessing these loans. These personal needs include:

â?¢Purchase of home or car

â?¢Purchase of computer

â?¢Cosmetic surgery

â?¢Funeral

â?¢Wedding

â?¢Debt consolidation

You can opt fore either of the two options of personal loan in accordance to your fiscal requirements. Two options of personal loan include:

â?¢Secured

â?¢Unsecured

Secured personal loan is accessible against a securable property, which is serves as guarantee. Although other forms of guarantee such as jewellery etc also exist but home is the most preferred form of guarantee by lenders. Presence of a security is beneficial in fetching you feasible rate of interests on your loan amount.

Unsecured personal loan can be obtained without a guarantee. This feature makes unsecured loan for personal needs suitable for tenants as well as those homeowners who do not want to risk their property. This option of personal loan is tagged with a comparatively higher rate of interest.

Are you planning to apply for a personal loan ? The routine way to apply for a loan can be quite cumbersome with a pile of paperwork to do, besides finding a suitable lender. If you are internet savvy, you have an alternative to apply for a loan online, which can help you to cascade over tedious routine approach.

Gamut of online personal loan arrangers are accessible which can serve your requirement for a loan. Most of these online loan arrangers offer the service of free no obligation loan quote service, which can give an idea of the competitive loan deals available for you. If you need professional financial advice, even the facility of getting the expertise of loan advisors on matters concerning loan is also made available by these online arrangers.

Before you go ahead with availing the services of these online loan arrangers, thoroughly read their terms and conditions of use. This approach can help you to cascade over any prospective confusion which may arise from procurement of the loan.

Gilbert Noble
http://www.articlesbase.com/loans-articles/transcend-financial-responsibilities-with-personal-loan-130773.html

31 May

A Guide to Free Online Dating Services


Chances are, if you are interested in this topic, you are single, lonesome, and looking for your soulmate. Perhaps you’re tired of trying to meet people to date at work, in malls, at the supermarket or wherever it is that you go during your leisure time. Maybe it is time for you to try free online dating services.

There are numerous websites that provide free online dating services but not all of them deliver on their promises. As is true with all online services, you have to take their statements with a grain of salt. But if you happen to find a good dating service, the rewards can be significant since this will literally open millions of doors (and hearts) to you.

The key to surviving the online dating game is to enter it cautiously. You can’t seriously expect whoever it is you choose to date to fall head over heels in love with you from the first email (unless you happen to get lucky, in which case, congratulations!) But if you are like most online daters, the process for you will take time, energy and patience.

The nice thing about some paying sites is that they offer a free trial period before you spend a single cent on their service. Other sites are completely free but deluge you with advertisements. So you have to pick and choose.

It is normal to be slightly apprehensive before entering into online dating. But the practice is becoming more and more acceptable since not everyone has the financial resources or the time to keep socializing via the regular route. People now want increased control over their dating habits.

Online dating is easier than regular dating because you get to choose who you want to converse with and when. There is more variety to choose from, and frequently you can already read what your online partner likes or dislikes. So it is easier to select individuals you can share your interests with.

You get to know another person’s personality via email and phone without having to spend on going out at all.

And if you do not like the person you are talking to? Just log off and turn off your computer. Or hang up the phone. It’s that simple.

According to one website, more than $300 million goes towards online dating in the United States alone. That is expected to increase to $600 million in the near future. More than 700 dating sites now exist online, with new ones being set up weekly.

As Internet access becomes faster and it becomes easier to navigate online, more and more people are choosing to socialize on the Internet. You do not even have to be considering a serious relationship yet when you join the fun, some people just want to meet new people and make new friends.

How do you guarantee that you will make a connection through online dating? Well, you have to be honest about your motives from the start, people will eventually find out the truth about you anyway. Build a quality profile online which will help show viewers and readers of the level of your interest in dating.

Post one of your better looking photos, one of the more flattering ones. This will help whoever’s watching to get a realistic idea of what you look like.

When scanning profiles set by other people, try to select individuals who are interested in the same kind of relationship. If you are searching for someone to have a serious relationship with, do not answer ads for those who are just looking for a good time.

After you have connected with someone online, do not give in to the temptation of rushing into an in-person date yet. Try to talk to the person you have met online via the telephone at least one or two times before setting up a face-to-face meeting. This will help you two to get to know one another better.

And that is it! You are ready to dive in and take advantage of the many free online dating sites out there. Take care and enjoy!

Dave Poon
http://www.articlesbase.com/dating-articles/a-guide-to-free-online-dating-services-52915.html

31 May

Start Looking Into Investment Properties That Will Earn you a Great Deal of Money

Countless plots of land for sale in the UK have no real prospects of obtaining planning because of its location, yes itâ??s all about Location.. Location.. Location.. even in land!

One of the best kept secrets in investment land and properties is the freehold land for sale by CrownLand at Cranfield Park in Wickford, Essex. The East of England Plan clearly states for the region of Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, and Southend & Thurrock that has to build 43,800 new houses in the area until 2021.

This means that a lot of agricultural land will transform to residential land. There are a few areas of agricultural land that have such a good position, that it is amazing that they have not been turned into properties for investment earlier. Investment land for sale in the area could pay off in the medium to long term, plots in the area could find a use for housing in the future.

When choosing one of several investment properties, it is important to have a clear view of the development prospects of the area. Firstly, you have to make sure that the investment land for sale you have your eye on is in a nice area with good scenery, but also close to existing developments. Cranfield Park lies between two areas of housing to the north and south borders. In addition, the Wick Country Park borders it. This means that the investment properties are also in an area that has easy access to existing communities and public buildings and schools, but it is also close to a Park with a lake for leisure purposes.

Being so close to existing developed areas also means that your freehold plot of land will have easy access to electricity, water and gas utilities. Infrastructure is another very important factor to take into consideration when you plan to buy an investment land for sale. If your plot of land is close to a major road, this means that the price of land in that area will increase. Houses in the Cranfield Park area have excellent investment properties because the A127 London borders it – Southend Road just 200m to the South, and the M25 is just 8 miles away.

Housing needs will increase in the area as, currently, 30% of the people of the area commute to London everyday. They get the best of both London and the countryside as they get to have a quiet peaceful life and still work in a competitive well-paid environment. Generally, investment properties are very large, but in this area, you do not have to buy large properties to get a great return. The general assumption is that the area might develop soon because of its great location. It lies in a quiet place that still benefits from proximity to a major road with schools and public buildings just a few minutes away and is a great freehold land investment. You do not even have to invest that much in these properties as prices start from £7900.

When buying a property, the most difficult thing is drawing up the paperwork. It is extremely time-consuming and you have to run around and pay different fees. If you decide to buy one of these investment properties, you can benefit from the services of the land retailer. With CrownLand they have made it so stress free to purchase, once you pay the 10% reservation fee, for the plot of land you want to purchase, next you will receive all the papers ready for you to sign, on full payment the land is yours 100% all stress-free.

One of the safest and best ways of making money today is to buy investment land, guaranteed to increase in value over the years, because a well-chosen plot in a string of properties for investment may turn soon from agricultural land to residential land.

Ken Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/start-looking-into-investment-properties-that-will-earn-you-a-great-deal-of-money-208630.html

31 May

Panama Financial Services Corporation


This is a anonymous S.A. Bearer Share Panama Corporation that is additionally licensed by the Panama Government as a financial services corporation. The license is in the name of the Corporation and your name does not appear on the license so privacy is preserved. This license allows the corporation to engage in certain financial activities in Panama. The license does not allow the entity to act as a bank, for this a bank license is required. Banks provide checking accounts, take deposits directly, make loans personal and otherwise, write mortgages etc. You can have another corporate entity contract with your Panama financial services Company to engage in activities in Panama that your other corporation may not be allowed to engage in due to it´s domicile jurisdiction and lack of such a license there. This can all be done via e-commerce. Remember offshore derived income is tax free in Panama.

AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES:

General Financial Consulting â?? In some jurisdictions this is hard to get.

Third Party Payment Processing (Online included). This is the provision that is used to allow one to operate a Swedish Credit Union in Panama through a Panama Bank.

Factoring â?? This allows one to operate a factoring company factoring receivables.

Leasing â?? This allows one to do full service leasing.

Trading of Gold, Silver and Platinum (they consider this as a buy/sell transaction). If it is wholesale it is Type A License, if it is retail is a Type B License. In this type of Retail License the Directors of the corporation have to be Panamanians and we do provide this and is included in the price. This allows one to be say an E-Gold or E-Bullion merchant.

Trading of Foreign Currency. (The first 5 days of each month this type of business must submit a declaration with client data for all transactions over $10,000 to the Financial Analysis Unit in Panama as part of their anti-money laundering program). This would allow one to operate as a money changer service.

Debit and Credit Card Management â?? This allows one to operate a service for third party ATM and Debit cards, processing payments to the cards etc.

NOT AUTHORIZED:

Financial Administration Services

Debt Collection â?? you would not be a collection agency.

Receive deposits from third party â?? you are not a bank.

The corporation which holds the license can engage in the above listed authorized activities. In addition the corporation can also engage in any other lawful activity that corporations in general can engage in, it is not restricted to the above activities only.

This is NOT a financial institution per se such as a Bank or Savings and Loan. Such a licensed corporation could be used for payment processing in Tax Free Panama, for a licensed lawful financial entity in another country where there are taxes such as a Swedish Credit Union. You would also be able to hold the funds in a Panama Bank account with all the protections of Panama Bank Secrecy.

A Panama Corporation with such a license, can demonstrate to a Panama Bank or other financial institution that the company is lawfully authorized to manage third party funds inside the corporation bank account or an account it has with another financial institution. If you get challenged by a bank regarding having third party funds in your account this license should prove most helpful since you are lawfully allowed to do so, it is of course going to depend on the individual circumstances and jurisdictions involved.

For a S.A. anonymous Panama Corporation with this license we charge $3500.00. If you purchase the structure through us we charge an additional $1000.00 for the bank account opening. This type of bank account is more complicated that a regular bank account.

Feel free to ask questions.

http://www.panamalaw.org/panama_financial_services_corporation.html

http://www.panamalaw.org/bearer_share_corperation.html

For more information, please visit:

http://www.panamalaw.org

email at: panamalegal@hush.com

Ronald Edwards
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/panama-financial-services-corporation-81645.html

31 May

Enjoy Quality Services With the Citi Platinum Select Credit Card

One of the largest banks in the world, the Citibank was founded in 1812. It is one among the nine business entities, which is operated by the Citigroup.

Citibank has come up with a number of advanced financial services and products for its worldwide clientele. Citi Platinum Select Credit Card issued by the Citibank is credit card with all standard features and allows you great purchasing power.

Significance of the Citi Platinum Select Credit Card

If you have a good credit and are on the lookout for many quality services and benefits from the Citibank, then the Citi Platinum Select Credit Card is perfect for you.

The 0% introductory rate, which continues for the initial 12 months, is certainly a boon for the cardholders (and is applicable on both balance transfers and purchases). The regular APR of 10.99% is slightly above the average but still less when compared to other reward cards. The credit card features no annual fee.

The credit card comes with many platinum cardholder advantages like fraud protection services, travel accident insurance and auto rental insurance.

Benefits Of The Card

The Citi Platinum Select Credit Card gives you the provision to gain free access to your account information online, which allows you to view your previous statements, your current billing statement and your unbilled activity.

The cardholder can also make payments towards the Citi Platinum account online, and can conveniently check all his/her expenses each month via his/her online account manager. There is a dedicated customer service that you can avail toll free for providing answers to all your queries.

The credit card boasts of offering certain highest security measures that is available for all the credit card users. You can also get your photo placed on the face of your credit card in order to ensure that no one else uses your card in a retail establishment.

If someone somehow gets hold of your card number and attempts to use your card for purchases, etc., over phone or online, you will not really have a genuine reason to worry, especially because you are well-protected under the $0 liability policy of Citibank. Your personal information is protected and you do not pay for any unauthorized charges to the card.

The Bonus Points

The other advantage of having the Citi Platinum Select Credit Card is that whenever you purchase bus, train or plane tickets using the credit card, you will gain a maximum of $1 million in travel accident insurance at no additional charges. This benefit covers you, and your family members, including your dependent spouse and children. Supposing your travels involve the renting of a vehicle, then you will earn automatic coverage after declining the car rental companyâ??s collision waiver insurance.

Other perks on offer are the various Internet account related services, lost wallet service, medical and legal referral services, emergency card and cash replacement, and many more.

Richard Gilliland
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/enjoy-quality-services-with-the-citi-platinum-select-credit-card-136794.html

31 May

Internet Banking- Matters to Fact


Internet banking is the new buzz word around the corner. Forget traditional banking and the way you used up to queue to get the transactions done. Internet banking is here to change that all. Now banking is no more taking out time from your schedule and to start with finding a place in the car park and then waiting for your turn to get to the counter. Internet banking gives you the freedom to do banking at your finger clicks.

The easiest and the safest way of banking is here. Introduce yourself to internet banking. Now you can do the transactions sitting right into your office cubicle or from your home. It can be said that with this the new era of banking has arrived and for the better of it. Internet banking is simple for anyone who has a access to internet. It certainly is beneficial compared to the traditional way of banking. You simply use internet instead of using paper or phone to access your account and can enjoy it from virtually anywhere, even if you are on a vacation to Bahamas. Secondly you can have the reports like your account information, monthly statements, reconciliation reports etc. whenever you want to access. No calling up to the bank or the customer care to get a work done, everything is conveniently at the fingertips.

The major concern of a few was the security of Internet banking which is till now well addressed by the security applications or firewalls used by the banks providing this facility or the online banks. Every transaction made through internet banking is completely safe and can be relied upon. Although there are some issues which one need to understand to keep the security levels high. You should try to avoid accessing your account from unsecured lines or machines. In any case do not revel your banking ID and password to anyone even if trying to pose a bank employee. These are the few things which make your internet banking experience wonderful and safe.

There are many benefits of using internet banking like

â?¢ It saves a lot of time and effort.

â?¢ Can transact with the click of a button.

â?¢ Completely safe and secure.

â?¢ Fewer fees with most of the services rendered free.

â?¢ Can coordinate with your financial software.

â?¢ Easy to understand and to use.

â?¢ Scores more points over traditional banking.

â?¢ Useful for everyone.

Thatâ??s why internet banking is a popular service now used by millions of account holders worldwide. Now with the fast growth in the number of users opting for internet banking a no. of online banks is building up to provide service to the customers. These online only banks are virtual but provide quality service to customers offering them with many new and exciting features

Dhiraj
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/internet-banking-matters-to-fact-115984.html

29 May

Personal Loans- Catering to Varied Financial Needs

Time is money today. And when in need of quick money, nothing serves better than going in for a quick personal loan online. Applying loans online is a hassle-free, time-saving, convenient technique of availing money. Access to a plethora of loan quotes and loan deals is an added advantage. So, no need to roam around to the high street banks with your loan application file in hand. All of them offer their services online as well. Moreover, there are private lenders who cater to the sub-prime customers. One can hunt for competitive rate of interests online and get money easily and quickly.

Personal loans online! How safe is it?

Not all borrowers feel safe about the concept of availing personal loans online, especially in the case of Secured personal loans. They are apprehensive about giving confidential details like credit card numbers, account numbers, income details etc. However, study has proved that with the development of technology, there has been a remarkable improvement in the safety of online transactions. Consumer awareness has increased, and borrowers are more diligent about keeping their passwords and personal information safe.

So, procuring Personal loans online gives you traditional benefits as well. For instance, a cooling off period of around 14 days is given to the borrower, in case of online credit agreements. In case the customer does not feel comfortable with the loan deal, he can quit without paying any penalty charges for withdrawing. Studies conducted by a leading business review financial website stated that the online purchasers of personal loans increased considerably in the year 2005, and the year 2007 will see an astounding rise of more than 208%.

Applying for loans online, thus, opens you to varied cheap personal loans, quick personal loans and bad credit personal loans. You, as a borrower, get the freedom to choose.

David Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/loans-articles/personal-loans-catering-to-varied-financial-needs-110985.html


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