http://www.watermarkfsltd.com The Quest for Excellence Thu, 07 May 2009 13:06:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en People who rent out holiday homes in Europe face a race against time if they are to qualify for new tax reliefs announced in the Budget. Second home owners will need to file applications by 31 July if they are to qualify for the relief, which allows owners to offset losses ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2009/05/58/ Many have stated that the current economic and financial crisis will be deep and protracted.   With unemployment rising and expected to reach 3 million by the end of the year, Government borrowing aimed at stemming the job cuts and stimulating growth expected to surpass any levels set in history and stock ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2009/02/coping-with-the-credit-crunch/ The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the primary protection scheme for consumers in the UK holding investments, pensions or long term life assurance plans.   The scheme covers up to:   £48,000 per investment such as Unit Trusts, Open Ended Investment Companies (OEIC's) and investment based ISA's.   100% of the first £2,000 plus 90% of the ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/10/financial-services-compensation-scheme/ It is a worrying time for people with money on depost.   Many financial institutions have already folded with thousands losing their jobs and livelihoods, but how safe is your money?   The Governement has recently announced that it is extending the guarantee on money held on deposit with UK regulated financial institutions from £35,000 ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/10/savings-protection/ We are pleased to announce that Watermark Financial Solutions Ltd. has obtained Discretionary Investment Management Authorisation from the Financial Services Authority.   This has been a goal of the company for some considerable time and it is our understanding that we are the first independently owned firm of retail based Independent Financial Advisers in ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/06/discretionary-investment-management-authorisation-approval/ The BBC has revealed a frightening share scam from 'Boiler Rooms' based in Spain and other countries.   Boiler rooms are where slick telesales people make their calls from in an attempt to sell shares in non existent companies, effectively taking money from unsuspecting individuals and providing a share certificate that is ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/05/beware-of-boiler-room-share-scam/ Mark Woods has received confirmation from the CFA Society of the UK that he has passed his Investment Management exams with the UK Society of Investment Professionals (UKSIP).   This milestone has been reached on schedule as a part of our firm's commitment to continuing professional development of personnel and enables the ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/04/investment-management-exam-success/   HM Revenue & Customs’ changes to Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Personal Equity Plans (PEPs). The changes, which came into effect from 6 April 2008, are as follows: • ISA savers are now able to invest in two separate ISAs each tax year; a Cash ISA and a Stocks and Shares ISA. These ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/04/200809-pep-and-isa-changes/ You can hardly escape the 'credit crunch' on the news at the moment, but why is it causing us problems here in the UK when the issue commenced with the 'sub-prime' mortgage market in the US? During the second quarter of 2007, it became apparent that financial institutions around the globe ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/03/the-credit-crunch-opportunity-from-mayhem/ Global Stock Markets have remainied highly volatile this week following renewed concerns over the US slow down and the global credit squeeze. Our view is that the stock market will remain volatile for the foreseeable future and the sudden dips and spikes will offer buying and selling opportunities for fund managers ... http://www.watermarkfsltd.com/mark-woods/2008/01/global-stock-market-volatility/