Pound Falls on Scottish Independence Fears

Defusing the ‘BNPL’ Time Bomb. More than 3 million households in the UK collectively owe £2.7 billion on ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) borrowing, as per an analysis conducted last year by economists at the Bank of England. Source: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/agents-summary/2023/2023-q4 These findings highlight the prevalence of this currently unregulated practice, particularly among young individuals aged […]

By Wael Al-Nahedh, CEO at Spearvest The global economy has been experiencing unprecedented uncertainty in recent years. Political, economic and social challenges have meant that businesses and individuals are incredibly cautious about where they place their money, particularly for long-term investments. The overall concerns in the US market topped with the UK’s difficult political situation […]

A successful home trader is all set to reveal the results of a two-year challenge aiming to turn $10,000 into $100,000.

Borrowing more for a car loan could save you money, according to research by What Car?  Borrowing just £50 more for a new car loan can make it cheaper than taking out a smaller loan according to new research by What Car?, the UK’s leading consumer advice champion. Analysis of the UK’s leading high street […]

The market experienced serious losses in 2022, but the tide is turning in 2023. Last month, investors were given a glimmer of hope for the beginning of a market recovery, which was up 6% since the beginning of the year. While investors are still experiencing high-interest rates, the potential for debt default, and the ongoing discussion of a recession in their minds, we are likely to see financial recovery over the course of the year.

Swaper is a P2P loan marketplace offering an easy investing in pre-funded consumer loans from Poland, Spain, and Denmark in cooperation with Wandoo Finance Group. Launched in 2016, Swaper began life from the idea to build better financial products and to offer many different financial products. When the platform was initially under construction, the firm’s main […]

When Vernon Hill’s Metro Bank opened its doors in 2010 it became the UK’s first new high street bank in 150 years.

There are months when you barely have any money left at all, but the responsibilities are still there. Handling such huge responsibilities requires an additional source of funding that you can use when the times are hard. With the use of loans, for instance, you will be able to get the amount you need to […]

Making quality investment decisions comes down to striking when the iron is hot. Jumping the gun or waiting too long to act can prove to be a major mistake. Unfortunately, making the right investment moves at the right moments is easier said than done. If it were simple and straightforward, everyone would be doing it. Accurately predicting the next Apple or Facebook is on an order of difficulty that eludes even the savviest of investors. However, putting your money into up-and-coming industries and sectors - or those primed for a comeback - is something that even the casual investor can do with enough insight and experience. With this in mind, let's take a look at the best business investment opportunities heading into 2023: Third-Party Logistics More products are being bought and sold online than ever before. It won’t be long until e-commerce takes over the majority of retail purchases. With this in mind, investors should consider investing in third-party logistics providers (3PL). From logistics optimization to freight audit software, these services specialize in helping retailers improve their supply chain management. What’s more, they help drive down shipping costs for companies operating with slim margins. Given the rate at which online retail is becoming the primary method of buying and selling products, investing in 3PL today is likely to generate significant returns tomorrow. Home Improvement The last few years saw a surge in homeownership. Given this trend, it doesn’t take a genius to see the profit potential that comes with investing in home improvement services. From companies specializing in repair and remodelling to material suppliers to stores selling these products, there are many entities involved in the home improvement process that can be seen as potential investment opportunities heading into 2023. Digital Marketing More eyeballs on more screens mean less attention paid to traditional forms of advertising. As a result, the value of digital marketing is destined to increase as the world becomes increasingly digital. Those looking for a worthwhile investment opportunity should consider putting their money behind one or more digital marketing agencies. Demand for these services is set to increase significantly over the course of the decade, giving investors a reliable roadmap to respectable returns. Food Delivery Chances are you ordered food delivery at least once within the last three months. That’s because more people are finding themselves unable or unwilling to devote the time needed to prepare their own meals. If you can recall the premium you paid for the luxury of having other people make and bring you your sustenance, then you know there’s tremendous profit potential in food delivery service. While the current food delivery landscape is especially competitive due to oversaturation, there will come a time when struggling operations are forced to sell to their more capable competitors. If you can accurately gauge when that will occur and which businesses are involved, you can buy low and sell high. Cleaning Services The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased attention paid to cleanliness and hygiene. The result is an uptick in demand for professional cleaning services, especially those tasked with sanitizing brick-and-mortar locations that see hundreds of people entering and exiting in a given week. Those investing in cleaning services now will reap the financial benefits later. Auto Repair In case you hadn’t noticed, the cost of a new vehicle has risen dramatically in recent years. Even a used car costs hundreds if not thousands more than it did previously. As a result, more people are holding onto their older, high-mileage vehicles than ever before. Auto repair companies - both locally-owned chains and those spread out nationally or multi-nationally - are set to see unprecedented demand in coming years. The same goes for aftermarket parts manufacturers and suppliers. It all adds up to auto repair being a viable opportunity for those looking to invest in profitable businesses. Making the right investment moves at the right time isn’t easy. It’s no surprise the best investors stick to slow but steady returns based on equally secure investments. With that said, disruptive industries and growing demand for existing services make for reasonably safe and secure investment opportunities for those able and willing to go after them. Good luck!

By Mark Hepsworth, CEO Asset Control  As London Fintech Week kicks off, regulation in banking and finance, and the pressure and challenges it places on many traditional financial institutions high on the agenda. Regulation including MiFID II, SFTR and FRTB helps drive fintech growth as banks look to partner with specialist providers who can provide […]