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If it’s in the news and it relates to our services, clients and latest trends in Financial Planning, you’ll find it here.
Our experts are certainly not short of opinions and are always happy to share any new insights they have on all matters to do with your future financial wellbeing.


If you’d like to know more about any of the issues highlighted in these articles, just ask.

March 2024 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

March 2024 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

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The State Pension - Do you know its worth?
Keri Carter Keri Carter

The State Pension - Do you know its worth?

When helping clients to plan for their future, it’s important to include all forms of income likely to used in retirement. Often, the State Pension is disregarded or forgotten. This could be as a result of those who were “contracted out” and so assumed they didn’t qualify, were not aware of when this applied or those who were under the impression it was so little it was not worth bothering about. Contrary to this, the State Pension can provide some valuable guaranteed income on which to build through careful planning.

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January 2024 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

January 2024 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

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Looking backwards and forwards
Keri Carter Keri Carter

Looking backwards and forwards

An investment roundup of 2023 from our partner, Albion, together with some thoughts for the future as we enter 2024. Despite the troubles and uncertainties in the world, there are some pretty wonderful pieces of evidence of the world's collective progress in many areas, which help act as a counterbalance to the doom and gloom that overwhelms the daily news.

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December 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

December 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
November 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

November 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
Investment impact of the unfolding tragedy in the Middle East
Keri Carter Keri Carter

Investment impact of the unfolding tragedy in the Middle East

In light of the horrific events in Israel at the weekend and subsequent developments, we are conscious that as well as feeling huge concern and empathy for those affected, you may be concerned at the impact this may have on your investments. Our investment partner, Albion, has put together a short note highlighting the very limited direct impact the small portfolio exposure to the Israeli stock market will have. So far, other broader markets have been relatively stable. The risk of escalation exists and it is very difficult to evaluate the likely paths ahead, not least for global markets. Fortunately, the market takes all of these potential outcomes and incorporates them into today's prices. Outguessing the market is extremely challenging and, therefore, the key is to remain invested in a highly diversified portfolio.

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Mastering Student Budgeting: Essential Tips for University Students
Rebecca Daly Rebecca Daly

Mastering Student Budgeting: Essential Tips for University Students

Starting university is such an exciting chapter in life, however, it also marks the start of financial independence and responsibility for many students. The way in which you manage your finances will make or break your time at university, so it is crucial that you get on top of this to ensure a smooth academic journey and set the foundation for your future financial stability. Here we have set out some essential budgeting tips for those embarking on the journey…

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October 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

October 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
September 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

September 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
The rise of the pension millionaire
Rebecca Daly Rebecca Daly

The rise of the pension millionaire

Here at BFP, we love an interesting statistic when it comes to personal finance. Recently, we have been discussing as a team some information released by the Office of National Statistics relating to recent research into pension funding in the UK.

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Quick tips for a financial health check
Rebecca Daly Rebecca Daly

Quick tips for a financial health check

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that nothing stays the same for long. From lockdowns and furloughs to the cost-of-living crisis and the highest inflation rate seen for 40 years, each of us each will have been affected differently. Right now, with so much uncertainty about the future, our financial health is more important than ever. Here we set out our top-tips on how best to get a grip on your finances

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The Sandwich Generation – are you feeling the squeeze?
Rebecca Daly Rebecca Daly

The Sandwich Generation – are you feeling the squeeze?

Are you a part of, or soon to be a part of, the ever-growing generation of people responsible for caring for their own children as well as ageing parents? When we last wrote about this topic, we had focused on the ‘Gen Xs’ who are between their mid-40s and 60s and how this situation could be impacting their retirement planning. A couple of short years later, accelerated no doubt by the cost of living crisis, it’s an issue that continues to spread further across age groups with ‘millennials’ between their late 20s and early 40s now joining the ‘sandwich generation’ club in droves. As a result, this is leading to some worrying statistics.

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August 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

August 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
July 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

July 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
June 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

June 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
May 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

May 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More
The importance of recognising and understanding vulnerability
Keri Carter Keri Carter

The importance of recognising and understanding vulnerability

At BFP, caring for vulnerable clients is embedded in our culture. We are continuously on alert for the signs and planning how to service these those whose needs may be different.

Recently, our entire team successfully completed the professional assessment on ‘Vulnerable Customers’ provided by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI). This is something we are very proud of and believe few (if any) financial planning firms in the country can boast of!

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April 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report
Keri Carter Keri Carter

April 2023 - Cash Recommendations Report

In this report, we have updated our figures to set out what we believe to be the most competitive rates on the various types of personal deposit accounts available at the moment. These accounts are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) where if a provider fails, the FSCS will pay out an amount of £85,000 per person, or £170,000 for a joint account.

If the account is with NS&I, who is backed by HM Treasury, your full balance is protected. While the rates with NS&I are no longer market leading, this feature is still particularly useful when looking to place large sums, for example, following the sale of a property. The rates quoted may be subject to change and should be checked with the relevant provider before applying.

Read More