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 credit crunch has brought with it rising prices and access to borrowing much harder than it used to be. Looking at how this impacts on UK residents the Post Office, insurance providers as well as much more, have seen the over 50 market hit the hardest.
The rise in the cost of living has meant almost two thirds of the over 70s now use credit to buy basic food and groceries. This will be in the form of credit cards or overdrafts. Meanwhile 35 percent of over 50s can no longer put savings aside regularly said the Post Office insurance against harder times in the future.
Speaking of which a Post Office insurance spokesman urged people to make sure they are paying reasonable rates for their life insurance. An essential like this can still be bought effectively and as such leave a little more money for day to day costs.
Zurich Insurance has named Theo Bouts the new Chief Operating Officer of Global Life, an arm of the Zurich group.
Mr Bouts is currently the CEO of the Zurich Insurance unit dealing with direct European business and partnerships, a role he will give up on 1 August to take up his new position. Having been with Zurich for only three years Mr Bouts has already taken a couple of key roles within the organisation, being seen as a key player in senior management.
His existing role is seen as critical to maintaining and developing a strong multi channel distribution policy, something Zurich Insurance do not want to lose. For this reason Mr Bouts will take a little time to fully hand over the reins of his existing role until a suitable successor is found.
