March 2010 Archives

ST HELIER, Jersey, March 31, 2010 - Abbey International is currently celebrating twice over having won the coveted Best International Bank award in this year's Investment International Finance Awards and this week secured a "Best Buy" listing for its popular 18 month fixed rate deposit currently paying 3.57% AER with Moneyfacts, the independent industry monitor (source: Moneyfacts.co.uk). The Investment International awards are amongst the oldest in the offshore banking industry, having been running for some 20 years. Awarded solely from reader votes, over 800 magazine subscribers and website users took took part in the voting which started at the end of November 2009 and ran up until 31st December.

Commenting on the award, Jane Matthews, Head of Client Experience at Abbey International said, "This is an important award for us - we realize that international banking is a fiercely competitive market, so to win an overall award like this, we have had to both offer consistently attractive products and back these up with excellent client service. Now ultimately part of Banco Santander, the largest bank in the euro zone by market capitalization and third in the world by profit, we believe our client offering based around strength, stability and service is a winning combination. Looking to the future in 2010, we are anticipating being able to offer clients an increasingly diverse range of products, reflecting the changing demands of the market, but all built with the same objectives of wealth preservation and wealth creation - supported by our relationship managed service".

In 2009, Abbey International became the first major offshore bank to launch its range of Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum deferred-debit cards which offer a range of lifestyle services and enhanced levels of cover. The bank's product range is evolving as it move towards offering a range of accounts and services which are designed to appeal to a more discerning high net worth client. The Abbey International 18 Month Limited Offer Fixed Rate Deposit Contract has a minimum opening balance of GBP100,000 and is available in sterling only to new and existing clients. Abbey International is part of the highly regarded Santander Group, which has more than 150 years experience in banking and clients all over the world. For further information on banking with Abbey International in Jersey call +44(0)1534-828-828 or log onto www.abbeyinternational.com For media use only and not to be relied on by consumers to make financial decisions.

Socially responsible investing (SRI) also sometimes referred to as sustainable investing or ethical investing, is the practice of making investment decisions based not solely on financial consideration but with a social consciousness at work. SRI looks at ethical, environmental and social concerns. SRI is not a new strategy, in fact people have been doing it for years and anyone who has been looking into opportunities lately will see an abundance of different projects.

There is little doubt that we face major global challenges in the decades ahead - global warming, burgeoning demand for resources, transport congestion, trading imbalances, an expanding global population and so on - but these challenges present equally major opportunities for those companies that have the foresight and capability to deliver solutions to these challenges.

In order to make the best picks for the companies you choose to invest your green stocks in, you need to be knowledgeable about the companies and to do thorough research. This can be incredibly time consuming in order the find the right investment.

The key factor which determines whether an investment is a fair deal is the risk vs the reward element. Don't be blinded by emotion, or sucked in by sales tactics talking about "potential" or "position" or "future growth"... Unless you can quantify the investment's potential to make money BEFORE you commit, you're leaving your chances of success up to chance.

Fair Deal Investments (FDI) has built a reputation of only recommending secure investment opportunities that have passed rigorous due diligence procedures and moreover, have a real chance to provide investors with a higher than average return on their investment whilst carrying a low risk factor.

For more information on FDI and their latest recommendations please visit www.fairdealinvestments.co.uk

Swiss banks and Swiss private banking are recognized as the ultimate banking resource for high net worth individuals, used by the rich and famous, sports stars and big corporations. Despite recent attacks on offshore banking in Switzerland, Swiss private bankers still maintain the decades-old reputation for confidentiality and security.

The Swiss cities of Zurich and Geneva are world famous for the private banking services they offer - not to mention many other smaller cities which manage wealth on the scale of global financial centres.

What sets Swiss banking apart?

Its reputation for banking expertise, and of course the bank secrecy law. Swiss bank secrecy, codified into law by the 1934 Swiss banking Act, has ushered billions of dollars into Swiss banks - wealth fleeing from corrupt governments, excessive taxes, and the threat of frivolous litigation

Crude oil futures kept falling back from highs even though speculative funds increased their bets that prices are headed higher. The benchmark West Texas Intermediate contract ended the week at $80.68 a barrel, after nearing $83 earlier in the week, compared to $81.24 a week ago.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali Naimi, made it clear once again on Tuesday that the world's largest oil producer prefers a range of $70 to $80 for oil prices. Speaking to journalists in Vienna prior to and OPEC meeting, Naimi said the oil-exporting group, which accounts for 40% of daily oil consumption, won't let tight supplies push prices too high.

Further bearish factors were the increase of 1 million barrels in U.S. crude oil inventories in the weekly report from the Energy Information Administration and renewed strength of the dollar amid continuing concern about Greece's fiscal situation.

A report in The Wall Street Journal on Friday suggested that EIA collection methods for the oil inventory data may be flawed, according to internal agency documents obtained by the newspaper. Greece said on Thursday it might have to call on the International Monetary Fund for aid if its efforts to reduce its deficit are not successful.

But bulls were encouraged by the Federal Reserve's reiteration that interest rates would remain low and by OPEC's decision to leave production volume unchanged, indicating their belief that prices would remain firm. The benchmark oil contract settled at $82.93 on Wednesday.

However, the move by the Reserve Bank of India to raise its key rates on Friday drove oil prices down amid fears that China and other emerging economies might follow suit and dampen demand for oil.

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