In January, this chart caught our attention (also below). Our initial interpretation of this alarming curve was that 2020’s increase in the USA's money supply was unprecedented, and that it was especially extreme in relation to the (then unprecedented) expansion in...
Coronavirus Bulletin #6
As the newest member of the Hamilton Financial team, Andrew has invited me to write this edition of our Coronavirus series of Bulletins.Markets never fail to surprise and in the wider world there have been some extraordinary trends which threaten to upset the delicate...
The Art of Wealth Management – Active vs Passive Funds
In a bid to demystify Wealth Management (we are on a mission to democratize Wealth Management, but more on that later), we are beginning this series, The Art of Wealth Management. First up, we dig into Active vs Passive Funds with Hamilton Financial head honcho...
The 100 Year Life (and how to afford it)
We have been inspired by a recent podcast series from Baillie Gifford (Episode 14 here) to read Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton’s bestselling book; The 100-Year Life - Living and Working in an Age of Longevity. If you have not read it, or given it to your children or...
UK WEALTH MANAGEMENT: A SHORT HISTORY (GOOD FOR SHAREHOLDERS BAD FOR CLIENTS?)
The story of UK Wealth Management has been one of huge consolidation over the past thirty years. An industry, once fragmented into regional and local specialists, has reduced to a handful of national behemoths. Brewin Dolphin, listed on the London Stock Exchange in...
Inheritance Tax (IHT) Simplification?
The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has recently issued its second report on Inheritance Tax (IHT). Here are the bullet points:- Business Property Relief (BPR) BPR effectively exempts business assets from IHT (40%). At the moment, the test to determine whether or...
Inheritance Tax Planning (IHT) – Two Tips
(1) Ensure your life assurance policies are written in trust. What does this mean? It means that on death, the life assurance proceeds are paid directly to the listed beneficiaries rather than to the deceased’s executors. Why is this important? For 2 reasons:- (i)...
Cheap Personal Loans – borrow at 2.9% for £7,500 plus
For those that need to borrow, loan rates are close to all-time lows. The Golden Rules Only borrow what you actually need; Repay as quickly as possible; Ensure repayments are affordable; Use an eligibility calculator eligibility calculator prior to submitting a loan...
Hamilton in tie-up with wealth manager
Andrew Hamilton, founder of Edinburgh wealth manager Hamilton Financial, has forged an informal partnership with Westminster-based investment and wealth planning firm Thomson Tyndall.
The two companies will continue to operate independently but will offer shared services across their client portfolio.
Mr Hamilton said: “We have been looking for an association with another firm for the last three years.