A recent study carried out by Zurich Insurance has shown that over half the consumers in the UK have never taken financial advice from a qualified advisor.
It may be an age related matter since the 18 to 24 year olds have the highest percentage of people without advice, 84 percent. Even for those aged 35 and over though there are still half of them who have never received financial advice. Zurich Insurance are urging everyone to consider speaking to finance professional in order to best arrange their finances.
At times of difficulty such as those being faced in the UK currently it is more important than ever to receive sound financial advice since there is a greater likelihood of problems when the economy is slow. Whether it is a Zurich Insurance financial advisor or one from another company the important element is to take advice from an expert.
The Prudential, the second largest life insurance provider in the UK, has seen the Peoples Bank of China take a one percent stake in the company, worth GBP130 million.
The move puts the Chinese bank into the top 25 of institutional investors in the Prudential, though there is no feeling that the holding is leading up to a takeover bid. The Chinese bank invests in many different businesses and a one percent holding is not uncommon. Speculation came because of the Prudential developing the Asian market though the management at the insurer welcomes the investment.
Such is the activity of the Prudential in Asia that their growth for the first half of the year was 14 percent, a remarkable step forwards.
The Prudential has named its new chairman as Harvey McGrath, previously the chairman at leading hedge fund company Man Group. Mr McGrath retired from that position late last year but has clearly felt the need to return back into the financial services sector with this new appointment.
The role will be a non-executive one for which he will receive a fee of GBP500,000 annually. Mr McGrath felt that the Prudential combined a very strong history with an exciting future and as such seemed the perfect choice for him. He also meets the requirements of investors who wanted to see a chairman who was based in the UK but also brought experience of the international arena.
Mr McGrath has plenty of experience to draw upon and is looking forward to the challenge, with lots of background and hands on knowledge of many things the Prudential are currently dealing with.
