Similterra

Last week the ECB (European central bank) and MPC (UK central bank) opted to take a ‘wait and see’ approach with interest rates. Both announced that they would be leaving interest rates on hold, preferring to see how their respective economies hold up after the summer turmoil. Many economists are expecting both to move to a loosening bias in the future, with the UK predicted to cut rates before the end of the year.

Early last week US markets powered higher on the release of economic data that increased the likelihood of a further 25BP cut in interest rates. The Dow Jones smashed through its previous record high of 14,000, while the broader S&P500 followed suit on Friday. Leading the charge has been the high tech Nasdaq 100 with companies such as Google, Apple and RIM (Blackberry) powering to record levels. Many questioned Google’s IPO price of $100 per share, but with a share price approaching $600, Google continues to grow at an
astonishing pace.

Next week starts with some heavy announcements for the UK, with PPI and industrial production figures having a potential impact on any interest rate
decisions. FOMC meeting minutes are usually scrutinised word by word by Fed watchers, and Tuesday’s release of this information will be no different. Every line will be examined and opaque sentences will be interpreted, all in the hope of garnering clues as to the likelihood of a further rate cut. Wall Street is baying for another cut, and any hints either way could see the market move significantly. Friday sees the release of vital retail spending and consumer sentiment data in the US, both of which will reveal how much the recent credit turmoil has affected the wider economy. Some economists have put the chances of a recession in the US as high as 50%, but this view was questioned with stronger than expected payroll numbers last Friday.

Elsewhere on the currency markets the Euro has come off its highs against the Dollar and Sterling, but remains well above pre summer/ pre spike levels. Part of the reason for this strength has been the drop in interest rates in the US in comparison to the tightening bias of the EBC. Both the EBC and MPC may follow their American cousins in cutting rates, but if they do, it is perhaps likely that there could be a time lag between a potential MPC cut and a potential EBC cut.

On this basis the Euro could remain strong against the sterling until 2008. In addition December could bring a shock to the UK government finances. A recent report revealed that by December the Government may have to include its PFI liabilities on its balance sheet. If this were indeed to occur it could put further pressure on Sterling as government debt increases. With this in mind, a no touch trade could be a suitable option on the EURO/ GBP exchange rate. A no touch with a trigger at 0.6700 over 90 days returns 12%. This allows time for any potential PFI difficulties to come into play.

Personal commentary From Matt Shaw

The Dow continues to play tag with the 14000 level. I do however think, that anything beyond 14200 on the Dow will not be seen for several weeks now, possibly months.

For the S&P, if we break below the 1445 level over the next 2-3 sessions, then the sell-off could commence. I estimate that we will begin the breakdown (if it hasn’t already started), by way of a gradual process after next Tuesday/Wednesday – 9th/10th Oct’

There is a lot of cash out there right now, ready to be put to work. Before now, it has been split evenly between Stock Funds and Credit Funds. With the Credit Crunch saga coming to fruition (funny choice of phrase) of late, this has led to many people cashing in their investments from Credit funds, Bond funds and Fixed Income, then put them to work into equities.

Equities seemed like some sort of safe haven and losses are seemingly more controlled. Combine these factors with low interest rates, and the backdrop of inflation, and it seems equities were an ‘easy buy’, hence no big sell-off toward the end of Sept.

I now feel that we are set to Range trade over the coming weeks and I say this with a mild hint of hesitation – we may then sell-off from (more than mildly) end middle/end of Oct. With the FTSE – Resistance 6610 with support at 6325.

This week could be the start of a strong decline, or new highs, by way of a further 1-2% rise!

- THE END -

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Swiss bank accounts

About Our Service

Many people ask themselves the question how to open a bank account in another country.

Offshore banking services are usually available for citizens around the world, most of the time it means that you will have to go to the bank in person in order to open a bank account. Our service offers to open a Swiss bank account in a major Swiss bank without having to make a trip to Switzerland that would end up costing a lot of money and time. We are specialists in Swiss banking and have opened over a hundred Swiss bank accounts for clients all over the world. And in four years in the business, we can gladly say that our company had never failed to open a Swiss bank account for any client.

Why a Swiss bank account?

Swiss bank accounts are offering the client full privacy regarding his business and transactions, any bank in Switzerland have to obey the rule of banking secrecy and if they fail to obey it then they had committed a crime and could be on trail for that. Swiss banks are very professional and have experience with major companies and personal clients around the world for dozens of years.

What is a numbered Swiss bank account?

Numbered Swiss bank accounts are not anonymous bank accounts as many people make a mistake. The idea behind numbered Swiss bank accounts is that the client does not have to reveal his name or personal information in order to accept or send payments and for other various of transactions. Nevertheless, the bank will have all the information of the bank account owner like any usual bank account

Bank Information

We are working with various of major Swiss banks in Switzerland, but we are trying to work with the best banks according to the client’s needs, here is some information about one of our most Major Swiss banks.

The Swiss bank we facilitate opening your personal account is a world class service. was established in 1855 and has been listed on the European Stock Exchange since 1863. They have a sterling reputation and are a household name in over 20 countries worldwide. Per year end 2001, assets under management exceeded 48 Billion USD and sales of 13 Billion USD.

Tax evasion

Tax evasion does not considered a crime in Switzerland, and therefore if you are not paying tax in the country which you residents in, then you didn’t commit any crime from the Swiss government point of view. If the country which you live in finds out that you evaded tax,

Then you’re vulnerable in your own country, depends on the local rules. BUT, still, you can rest assured that the Swiss bank will not reveal any of your private or financial information as they are not allowed to according to Swiss secrecy rules.

Account opening procedure

After making the payment All you need to do is to spare 2 minutes of your time and fill up an online form. Few days later you will receive a Fedex package including your account info. You will be asked to

sign 2 forms , add a Notarized passport copy and mail it back to Switzerland.

After that you will receive a Fedex package including your account information and password for online banking.

Before seeking an SBA (Small Business Administration) loan, borrowers should analyze several key business finance issues. This article will serve as an overview of the most important business loan and commercial real estate loan factors to assess before buying a business investment with an SBA loan in order to avoid numerous potential misunderstandings about a complicated business financing process.

Finalizing an SBA loan and refinancing a Small Business Administration loan are two of the most problematic commercial mortgage and business loan scenarios for business owners. There are practical business finance solutions for both of these common business investment problems.

Are SBA Loan and Business Finance Programs Difficult?

There are usually two schools of thought about getting a Small Business Administration loan to buy a business:

(1) Avoid this kind of commercial loan at all costs.

(2) Use such a business finance loan whenever possible.

These conflicting investment financing viewpoints are due to a commercial mortgage business loan process that is perceived as complex and difficult by many commercial borrowers.

In reality SBA loan programs are more practical than they often appear. It is critical to the success of a Small Business Administration loan program to be working with a business finance advisor and lender that is proficient at this difficult commercial mortgage and commercial loan process. There are many potential commercial financing problems to avoid when attempting to obtain a small business loans, and very few lenders are skilled in this business financing area.

Expecting Business Investing and Financing Difficulties: Business Loan Refinancing

One of the major investment drawbacks of an SBA loan has historically been the difficulty of refinancing the Small Business Administration business financing later. Current options have revised the situation and it is more feasible to arrange refinancing. It is still accurate to say that refinancing is not routinely available, but more importantly it is much easier to obtain than it was in prior years.

Advance commercial real estate loan and commercial loan planning can avoid some of the SBA loan refinancing problems. First and foremost, if the original business financing is arranged without a small business loan, this will make later business refinancing easier than if a Small Business Administration loan is involved. This means that commercial borrowers should at least consider if the initial business loan requires this form of commercial financing before proceeding.

Finalizing Small Business Financing: Two Common Commercial Loan Misunderstandings

One of the most frequent criticisms of an SBA loan program is the amount of paperwork required to complete the business loan and commercial mortgage process. What many commercial borrowers fail to understand is that any business financing process is likely to involve substantial paperwork and formal documentation requirements. In the end the key is working with a business finance advisor that understands what is required and can facilitate the submission procedures.

Beyond the paperwork concerns, a more critical and real problem is working with an SBA lender that is not very good at successfully completing Small Business Administration loan requirements. There are not many commercial lenders who are routinely effective at finishing this complex loan process with timely and successful results.

Alternatives to SBA Loan Financing – Conventional Real Estate Investment and Business Opportunity Loan Options

Conventional business finance options should always be considered simultaneously with the possibility of obtaining an SBA loan. As noted above, the feasibility of refinancing a business loan or commercial real estate loan in the future will depend heavily on the choices made by a commercial borrower when obtaining the initial commercial mortgage.

A conventional business loan or commercial mortgage might be more feasible than many borrowers realize. Refinancing is likely to be more successful if an experienced business finance lender and advisor are involved.

How the mysteries of high finance conceal the theft of other people’s wealth.

The mystery starts with the secret mandate, used by banks, to issue new money as ‘credit’. That sounds so innocuous, and so meaningless, that its full significance does not register with anyone. Credit, in this context, means, (according to the Oxford English Dictionary), ‘the sum of money at a person’s disposal at a bank.’

Therefore, when new money is issued as credit by a bank, a sum of new money is placed at the disposal of the bank’s client. ‘New money’, mark you, not money which already exists, but ‘new’ money freshly created by tapping its existence into a computer at the bank.

Unbelievably dishonest, and quite ridiculously simple. Create brand new, newly born, freshly conceived, counterfeit money by tapping the keys of a computer, as authorised by the Government. That is how banks make money, and then they lend this money and charge interest for its use.

From the viewpoint of the banker the only problem with this set-up is, “How do you persuade people to go into debt and use credit?”

It can cost a lot of money to fully utilise the secret mandate of being allowed to issue new money as credit. But bankers turn that to their advantage by getting people to invest in the credit trade.

It looks ridiculous on the face of it – that it is possible to sell debts at a profit. But by the time a bank’s client is spending his life earning money to service his debt, all the work of the banker has been done, and the income from the interest on the debt is very valuable. The ‘credit’ has become ‘debt’, which can now be sold at very considerable profit.

This gives a totally new tranche to the credit industry and accounts for the massive profits the big banks can brag about. It also intensifies the mystery of banking, and makes it virtually impossible for anyone to see the dishonesty and corruption upon which high finance flourishes. The profits to be made, out of fully exploiting the few magic words “Banks are allowed to issue new money as credit”, are so huge that they make the South Seas Bubble look like a game of marbles.

Do not waste time, as I have done, trying to understand all this. All you have to do is make sure that your M.P. helps our Government to restore unto itself the sole right to create and issue new money.

Your M.P. will need to handle the standard ‘monetarist’ conviction that Government printing money is inflationary through rational expectations of the public. This, of course, is banking propaganda put out to convince us that Governments can never be trusted. But the bankers themselves say, “We care not who makes the laws, provided we are allowed to control the money supply.”

That secret mandate gives the bankers complete control of money, they actually create it. That puts them above the Law, above Parliament, by their own admission. Hardly surprising that politicians can appear to be dishonest, when they are actually under the rule of the bankers.

Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a donor to invest money for the future higher educational needs of a beneficiary with significant tax incentives for doing so. Federal income tax on the gains of a 529 Account is deferred and distributions for qualified educational expenses are entirely tax-free. In addition, many states offer similar income tax treatment and some even offer additional grants and other benefits. Currently, these accounts are only available through a state or through particular participating institutions.

There are two distinct types of 529 Accounts, prepaid plans and savings plans. Prepaid plans allow a donor to purchase tuition credits at a specific institution or good for any state-run institution in a particular state. Savings plans allow a donor to invest in mutual funds, growing a pool of money from which educational expenses can be paid. A good analogy to distinguish between the two types of 529 plans is that they are like retirement plans; the prepaid plan is similar to a pension and the savings plan is similar to an IRA.

A prepaid plan offers the donor a defined benefit, a number of credit hours per dollar spent. This type of plan is advantageous for the donor who wants the school or state to have total control of the money when donated and who knows that his beneficiary only wants to go to a certain college (or a public college in a certain state).

The savings plan, on the other hand, is typically the better choice in that it is far more flexible and should outperform the prepaid plan in terms of purchasing power. Savings plans are only offered by states (not institutions), but allow a donor to invest in mutual funds, often mutual funds managed by private companies. This gives the donor a say in how the money is to be invested, based on their personal tolerance for risk. Alternatively, donors can often choose a target-date fund, which invests in high-risk, high-return securities initially and gradually shifts to low-risk investments as the beneficiary’s enrollment date nears. The flexibility of a savings plan is even more valuable when it comes time for a disbursement. Money invested in a savings plan can be spent at any college in any state. It can also be spent on books, housing and other qualified expenses.

Savings plans should also outperform prepaid plans. By purchasing prepaid credit hours, a donor is merely insuring against inflation. For example, the donor is buying a credit hour in 2018 for the price of a credit hour in 2008. However, financial markets have historically outpaced inflation over time. Given current the current poor economy, the further in time the beneficiary is expected to attend college, the greater the likelihood that a savings plan will still be more financially sound than the prepaid plan. Therefore, unless the beneficiary plans to attend college within the next two years, the savings plan is the best financial bet.

While any 529 plan is better than simply putting money aside for college, savings plans are generally the best bet for educational savings. Savings plans are flexible, both in terms of investment strategy and in terms of their eventual use. They are also more likely to outperform prepaid plans. Although prepaid plans are preferable under certain circumstances, a savings 529 plan is the all-around better choice.

Those of you who are looking to get the best options with your credit card, should first look into the terms associated with that card. There are a lot of different features that you can get with credit cards these days, including low APR, rewards, no annual fees, and several other perks designed to keep you using your credit card.

There are several credit cards that you can choose from as well, giving you a slew of different options. There are credit cards with instant approval, credit cards with low interest rates, cash back credit cards, reward credit cards, and even prepaid credit cards. If you have good credit, you won’t have a problem getting any type of credit card you desire.

Most people think of the best options with credit cards being the rewards. Reward credit cards are great to have, as they give you extra incentives for the money you spend. Whether it’s cash back or points to redeem towards hundreds of items, cash back cards make it worth your time and interest to use your credit card. These cards are becoming very popular, as they offer you features that other types of credit cards generally don’t offer.

Another great option for credit cards is low APR rates. Your APR, or annual percentage rate, is the amount of money that you pay at the end of the year for your credit card. If you can get a credit card with low APR and low fees, you should hang on to that card. Credit card companies and banks are always competing for your business, and you can normally find credit cards these days with some truly impressive features.

To get the best possible options for your credit card, you should always shop around and compare what each company or bank has to offer. Most options found on credit cards will vary from company to company and bank to bank. If you have access to the Internet, you should use it to find yourself the best possible credit card. There are literally hundreds of credit card offers found on the Internet, many of which offer you some truly great options with their credit cards.

Before deciding on your credit card, you need to determine which options are the best for you. This way, you’ll know exactly what to look for. The better credit cards will include several different options, such as low APR, low fees, and certain rewards as well. These types of credit cards are easily the best investment, as they give you a lot of bang for your buck. If you play your cards right and look for the right credit card – you’ll get the options you desire with a credit card that you’ll be proud to use.

Ways in which to finance a small business. Usually a new start up business will consist of a one man band, that takes to setting up a new business either on their own, in a partnership agreement with a friend or family member(s). So the new owner has a chice of using debt/ own equity finance, along with third party assistance. Stock market listing might not be available for firms that have an unproven track record. So in terms of external equity finance a small start up business will find it difficult to raise funds from stockholder investors.

Usually speaking before debt finance is obtained a new business owner will have to invest his or her own cash in the business before the banks will take that person seriously.

Banks will tend to finance potentially profitable small business enterprises that can afford the repayments on a number of debt products. It may be the owner needs a business credit card to purchase the supplies. The tax relief on the bank loan can be claimed thus a 10% loan rate is 7% after the tax relief.

The company should try and take advantage of trade credit and delay creditors for as long as possible. The longer the time taken to pay the trade creditors for raw materials are in effect interest saved over a year. In terms of financing this point holds well. Though trade creditors will start getting anxious regarding slow payers.

Use of a factoring company, this is a useful form of finance in that the factoring company lends the company money based on the account receievables of that business. This helps the company have source of finance to manage the business, whilst the factoring company are in charge of collecting money from credit customers.

Leasing equipment also has its advantages over buying equipment outright in one payment. The costs of the leasing agreement are spreadout or paid up in 1 payment though the cost of the leased equipment is much less than buying a brand new machine. Leasing is a form of finance in that it avoids the need for debt or spending a vast amount of cash at the bank inorder to have a business asset.

Venture capital financing involves a new start up going to venture capital firms who might be interested in buying a share of the company. Though venture capitalists only tend to be investors in projects that are likely to double and treble profits year upon year. A new owner might not want to lose control at the same time of their new business, though it still remains an avenue worth considering.

Use of grants that may be available from regional, national governments might also be willing to invest in small new start up firms.

Short terms loans, overdrafts are other areas of business finance worth considering. If the property of the business is freehold, the owner might want to do a sale and leaseback of the premises to help finance the initial growth stages of the company. This will raise funds internally via the sale of land and freehold securities.

Online banking is a very convenient self service channel that is offered by banks. You can use it to check balances, make fund transfers between your accounts, or a direct payment to another person or company. Some online banking services also allow you to advise your bank of changes of address, contact details, etc.

There has been a steady adoption by banking customers of online banking services. However, there still remain significant numbers of people who have not yet signed up or who have signed up but not become active users. The main reasons for this tend to be a fear of making mistakes and/or a fear about the security of the service.

A good way to learn the ropes of online banking, in a secure environment, is to check out your bank’s online banking demo. Most good banks will include an online demo on their website. This will enable you to see what the logon process is, and how to navigate around the online banking site and what all the main bits of functionality are. It’s a completely safe environment to learn about online banking as you’re not required to provide your own details.

You should also check out the service information that will be included on the bank’s public website. As well as details about the features and benefits, there should also be information on security. (Note: Typically, banks require users to create a combination of passwords and passcodes (PINs) that the user then has to enter when logging into the service.) If you find that you still have questions that the website’s not answered, then contact the bank. There may be a phone number listed on the website to deal with specific online banking questions.

Having registered for online banking, it is likely that you may initially just want to make use of fairly basic functions such as the ability to check your balance or view a statement. As users become more familiar with online banking, however, they tend to start to explore the more advanced functionality such as the ability to make payments to other people or companies. At this stage, if you are uncertain about what to do, you should contact the bank’s online banking helpdesk, or alternatively go back to their demo to see if it can answer your questions. However, generally speaking, online banking sites are fairly user friendly so in most cases there shouldn’t be any need to look for additional help.

I have used Internet banking for many years and find it an invaluable service. It means I can check my balance and transfer money easily without having to wait in a bank queue or provide my details to a Telephone banking adviser. It gives me control over my banking transactions which is something I value. I think, also, that the best way to fully learn the ropes is to sign up and then gradually start to explore the range of functions that the bank makes available to you.

People with adverse credit records can procure loans, if the lenders think that they are capable enough to repay the loan amount within the specified time frame. If you have a problem of a bad credit history, then you can avail a bad credit car loan for buying your dream car.

With bad credit loans you have an opportunity to improve your credit history as well. If you repay the loan amount within the given time period, you have a chance to improve your credit record. Once you improve your credit score, you can avail a loan easily in the near future. A bad credit history could be anything like arrears, defaults, bankruptcies, County Court Judgements etc.

Bad credit car loans can be taken as a secured loan, where you can put your home as collateral. If you are a homeowner in the UK, you can seek a secured loan. With this loan type, you will be having lower interest rates with longer repayment term. The interest rates may vary according to the credit score of the borrower. You can buy a new, as well as a used car with the help of a car loan.

You can also opt for unsecured loans, where you don’t have to put forth your asset as collateral. Generally, unsecured car loans are processed fast because the valuation of collateral doesn’t takes place. There is less documentation work involved with this loan type. Apart from this, the best part with this loan option is that there is no threat of repossession of your property. Less paper work is involved with this loan type which makes the entire loan process easy.

With a little bit of research work in the loan market, you can get a good loan deal. The stiff competition among the private lenders of the UK may help you in getting a loan deal on competitive interest rates.

Merely applying for the loans online will help you to get loan quotes from the lenders of the UK. Once you get the loan quote, you will be in a position to select a loan deal according to your choice.

It’s true what they say about hindsight. It is 20/20. In the bright glow of Spring 2009, even the most casual of business observers are slapping their foreheads and muttering “why didn’t we see this economic downturn coming?”

Watching “Comedy Central’s” Jon Stewart, the satirical king of late night “news,” skewer and then barbeque CNBC stock picker Jim Cramer over his predictions and collusion with the masters of the business universe was both delicious and painful. However, for most of us, it begged the obvious question; why didn’t more of the financial journalists notice the signs of this crash back in the summer of 2008?

There are myriad reasons.

It’s the Media’s Fault!

Jim Cramer, Suze Orman and other business prognosticators are rock stars to the huddled masses who are longing for some kind, ANY kind of financial morsel that will give them a tiny edge on everyone else. They’re like the Dr. Phil of “puts and calls.” Unfortunately, all of these television stars are just performers. Nothing more. Nothing less.

They are a part of the new breed of business “reporters” whose personality and style of presentation are much more important to them than their economic acumen. Cable news networks are chocked full of this type of talking, empty head.

With all of his sound effects and fraternity boy chatter with callers, Cramer at least, seems partially cognizant that he is a buffoon. However, his buffoonery is couched with sly winks to those of us who are in on the gag, suggesting that Cramer is really a self-deprecating genius. He’s not.

The “serious” business journalists on CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC and MSNBC may not wear clown noses and toot little bicycle horns to punctuate their inside scoops, but they are hyper-aware that the American public is more likely to watch “American Idol’ than “Sixty Minutes.” None of them spends much time reading Nobel-laureate Paul Krugman who actually DID anticipate and write about the current economic upheaval at least a year before it happened.

Having a high “Q”(not to be confused with IQ) rating and making the big bucks in the broadcast news business sometimes requires a little show business on the part of the reporters. Geraldo Rivera comes to mind. Unfortunately, most TV reporters majored in “Drama” and not “Economics” or “History” and it shows – particularly when it comes to deciphering the complicated machinations of finance and potential business chicanery.

It’s the Fat Cats’ Fault!