OPTIMAL4 (2023 Winner: Management Consulting Awards)

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Understanding Risk and Uncertainty: Common Investment Mistakes

By Serge Santos In the world of investing, few concepts are as misunderstood [or as costly] as risk. Investors have a tendency to confuse risk with uncertainty - a mistake that can lead to overconfidence, poor decisions and significant financial losses. ‘Ris

Zotus City: Gateway to Africa’s Investment Renaissance

As global investors seek new regions of growth and resilience, Africa is increasingly seen not just as a frontier — but as the future. With rising urbanisation, accelerating digital adoption, and a demographic boom, the continent is poised to reshape the glo

Digital Deal: Tech Partnership Handshake.

Trustly and Paytweak Announce New Innovative Payment Solution for European Merchants

Trustly, the world’s industry leader in Account-to-Account (A2A) payments, announces the signing of a strategic partnership with Paytweak, a French fintech specialising in modern payment links. This 100% SEPA solution integrates Paytweak's smart payment conn

7 Urgent OT Security Challenges Every Business Must Address

By IDS INDATA Experts suggest cyberattacks are evolving faster than you can keep up – Here’s how to protect your business. Ransomware is costing UK businesses thousands. Medium to large businesses face data breach losses of over £3.5 million, and RaaS i

What Are the Top Leadership Development Programs for Credit Unions?

Those in charge can make or break a credit union, spurring it to success or dooming it to failure. However, finding the best management training methods is challenging in an advanced financial field. Choosing one of the top leadership development programs help

What Are the Top-Rated Banks for Small Business Loans?

The top-rated banks for small business loans provide more than just funding — they give you a reliable path to confidently grow your company. Whether opening a new location or building your team, the right loan makes it possible. However, not all banks o

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Zotus City: Gateway to Africa’s Investment Renaissance

Trustly and Paytweak Announce New Innovative Payment Solution for European Merchants

Abstract digital globe with text "FINTECH", global network and financial technology on blue background

DIY Is Dead: Why Building Your Own Financial Tech Could Sink Your Business

By Philipp Buschmann, CEO and Co-founder of AAZZUR There’s an old saying: just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. This has never been more relevant than when companies consider creating their own financial tech from the ground up.&nbs

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Estate Planning in the Digital Age: Managing Online Assets

The responsibilities of estate planners and finance professionals have deepened. Data is as valuable as physical possessions for many, and they require consideration when organizing inheritances. What does digital asset management look like for those getting t

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Personal Credit Finance: 7 Reasons Why ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Services Are More Popular Than Ever

Over recent years, more than 26.4 million of us have turned to ‘buy now pay later’ (BNPL) services to help us pay for both essentials and treats by spreading payments over a number of months. Research from last Christmas shows that one in four of us used B

Lost in Translation: Navigating the Global Financial Landscape with AI

By Lloyd Farrow, Sales & Marketing Director at LanguageLine Solutions UK As international markets become increasingly interconnected, financial institutions are extending their reach beyond domestic borders to access new markets and diversify their portfol

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Trustly and Paytweak Announce New Innovative Payment Solution for European Merchants

Digital Banking, Mobile Finance, Secure Transactions

Arma and DAI Magister Founder Launches Specialist Tech Investment Bank Artis Partners

Headed by Victor Basta and Steve Bachmann, the boutique firm will focus on delivering high-value exits for US and European growth stage companiesVictor Basta, together with Steve Bachmann and Dorian Maillard, has launched a new investment bank, Artis Partners,

Analyst team use sticky note and laptop for financial insight with business Fintech paper for data analysis dashboard. Creative and analytic brainstorming for business marketing strategy idea.

5 Essential Marketing Strategies for Lenders and Brokers to Drive Growth

By Nicola McCoosh, founder and CEO of Yada Yada Finance In today’s competitive financial services landscape, many lenders and brokers struggle to meet their growth targets when relying solely on ad-hoc or siloed marketing activities. Whether it’s sporadic

Lost in Translation: Navigating the Global Financial Landscape with AI

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6 Common Mistakes That Could Invalidate Your Business Insurance

Business owners are being warned to keep their providers up to date or risk invalidating their insurance. Insurance comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk have highlighted six ways businesses may have unknowingly invalidated their business insurance

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Financial Advisors: The Types of Purchases That Could Impact Your Credit Score When Made on a Credit Card

Credit cards are a convenient way to manage finances, but how you use them can significantly affect your credit score. Sovereign Boss Financial Advisors, a leading financial advisory firm in the UK, outlines the types of purchases that could harm your credit s

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Understanding Risk and Uncertainty: Common Investment Mistakes

Zotus City: Gateway to Africa’s Investment Renaissance

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Over a Third of Finance Leaders Fear Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Conditions in 2025

New data from the latest annual SAP Concur CFO Insights Survey* reveals the evolution of top priorities for finance leaders amid challenging economic conditions and geopolitical tensions – from AI to cybersecurity. The 2025 research highlights the oppor

Three-Quarters of UK Workers Expect Responsible Pensions From Their Employer

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of UK employees say it is important that their employer offers a responsibly invested pension, new research from Scottish Widows reveals. Yet despite this demand for responsible investing, almost half (47%) don’t know whether the

Estate Planning in the Digital Age: Managing Online Assets

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Dilapidation Costs 101: Key Considerations When Exiting a Commercial Lease

By Jonathan Hand, founder of The Lease Negotiator When exiting a commercial lease, there are several important factors you should consider, and dilapidation costs is among the most significant. Dilapidation costs are incurred when restoring a leased property t

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British Pounds, Calculator and Money File

UK Cash Savings Surge to Record £2.05 trillion Leaving Savers Heavily Exposed to Falling Interest Rates

Cash savings have risen £51bn year-to-date to reach £2.05 trillion* Cash savings are now worth 80% of UK National Debt But despite high interest rates, cash has returned less than a third of that returned by stocks and shares this year Savers have missed out

Economy finance and investment background

Why Your Business Won’t Secure VC Funding

UK start-ups raised £2.2 billion in new venture capital funding in the third quarter of 2024, marking a significant decline from the £4.4 billion secured in the previous quarter, according to recent data from HSBC. In this increasingly competitive landscape,

5 Essential Marketing Strategies for Lenders and Brokers to Drive Growth

Woman In Grocery Aisle Of Supermarket With Coupons

Coupon Expert Reveals How You Can Save Hundreds On The Weekly Shop

In today's world of rising living costs, finding ways to save money on weekly shopping is more important than ever. Making small changes to the way you shop, and mastering the art of couponing, can lead to significant savings, sometimes hundreds of pounds over

Young couple reading bad financial report

Home Fuel Expert Shares How Switching from Oil to LPG Can Have a Positive Impact on Your Finances

Choosing the right fuel to power your property is an important decision, as it can affect how warm your home gets during the cold winter season and save you precious money on the gas bill at the end of the month. For those householders who live off the grid, o

Almost a Third of UK Business Owners to Sell Up to Fund Retirement

Almost one third (30%) of UK business owners plan to sell their businesses to help fund their retirement, according to new research. Business owners across the country have been fighting rising costs from energy bills to higher living wages and it seems

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Market Falls – How Long Does a Stock Market Recovery Take?

Aaron Gibbs, Personal Finance Commentator at Charles Stanley The recent tariff-induced market sell off saw some of the biggest daily stock market falls since the Covid-19 market crash in 2020. The well-known S&P 500 index in the US fell around 20% from its

DIY Is Dead: Why Building Your Own Financial Tech Could Sink Your Business

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finmid Expands to 20 Countries, Empowering Platforms to Drive SME Financing in Europe

With unmatched geographical reach, finmid enables platforms to close financing gaps for SMEs across underserved European markets. finmid enables B2B platforms to offer financing solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. Its modular financing infrastructu

A car dealer signs a contract for a new car at a car dealership.

Decoding Car Finance: Expert Tips for Selecting the Best Payment Plan

In recent years, 80% to 90% of new cars and an increasing number of used vehicles have been bought with finance agreements. With car prices continuing to rise, the growing need for car financing has become more evident as consumers increasingly rely on various

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Engaging the Next Generation of Investors

By Matt Ryan We are used to seeing the word ‘millennial’ as a shorthand for young people, or even teenagers, often alongside shopworn cliches about avocado toast and phone addiction. However, as of 2024 millennials can be as old as 43 – some are grandpar

Smiling female financial adviser talking with a customer.

Navigating Market Uncertainty: Financial Advisers on Elections and Planning

By Chris Metcalfe, IBOSS Chief Investment Officer, part of Kingswood Group Understanding market reactions to elections Elections invariably stir up a blend of anxiety and anticipation among investors, advisers, and clients. This year has seen its fair share of

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How to Budget for Travel in 2025: 7 Expert Tips

If you’re experiencing wanderlust, hopping on a plane or train to your favorite or new destinations is the best cure. Finances can get in the way of your dream vacation, so smart planning is critical. How can you get the most from your budget? Here are seven

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What Are the Tax Implications of Withdrawing From Your Retirement Fund?

Withdrawing funds from a retirement account can trigger a range of tax implications depending on the type of account and the timing of withdrawal. When advising clients on long-term planning, a solid understanding of these tax rules is critical to preserving w

Three-Quarters of UK Workers Expect Responsible Pensions From Their Employer

Teenager reading documents on tablet given by student loan advisor in office

Gen Z Prioritises Financial Planning and Saving Amidst Growing Economic Challenges

New research shows that Gen Z would use financial support from parents to prioritise saving for their future and deposits for a mortgage over one-off purchases and travelling. Four in five (81%) Gen Z adults have had a conversation about what they might inheri

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Less Than Half of UK Adults Aware of Pension Tax-Free Cash Limits

According to data from investment, life insurance and retirement specialist LV=, only 46% of non-retired UK adults with a pension say they understand the financial implications of how much tax-free cash they can take from pension savings. The findings have bee

Decoding Car Finance: Expert Tips for Selecting the Best Payment Plan

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oung woman hand using calculator to calculating balance prepare tax reduction income

Awareness Without Understanding: Self Assessment Tax Payers Know About MTD—But Many Still Don’t Understand It

While 91% of UK self assessment tax payers have heard of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax, new data reveals a critical gap between awareness and readiness. Alarmingly, 21% of taxpayers with untaxed income over £50k don’t believe they’re affected by

What Are the Tax Implications of Withdrawing From Your Retirement Fund?

Less Than Half of UK Adults Aware of Pension Tax-Free Cash Limits

Audit-Proofing Your Tax Write-Offs

Maximizing your tax deductions can reduce your taxable income, but if you’re not documenting them currently, you could set yourself up for an IRS audit. The agency isn’t just looking for errors — it actively scans for inconsistencies, missing receipts an

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Closing the ‘Tax Gap’: More Businesses than Ever to Face HMRC Investigations

As the government seeks to crack down on tax avoidance and fraud, HMRC is preparing itself for a record number of investigations. In 2025, the new government’s changes to the tax system will gradually roll out, including measures to reduce what it calls the

Inheritance Tax: Essential Updates and Strategic Insights for Wealthy Individuals

By Andrew Titmus, Partner, Solicitor, and Head of Estate Planning, Trusts & Tax at Parfitt Cresswell Solicitors Inheritance Tax (IHT) has been the subject of a lot of media and online discussion; some of it inaccurate. What are the changes and how are the

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7 Urgent OT Security Challenges Every Business Must Address

UK Connect Elevates Cybersecurity Capabilities with BlueFort Partnership

Partnership enhances UK Connect’s offer to Britain’s biggest construction companies UK Connect CTO Joe Budnar-Hunt: “Cybersecurity integration is more important than ever before” BlueFort CTO Josh Neame: “Delighted to work with UK Connect’s suite o

ALSO Cloud UK Highlights Need for Robust, Proactive Cybersecurity Measures Against Ongoing Ransomware Threats

ALSO urges UK businesses to employ robust cybersecurity measures against ongoing, AI-boosted ransomware attempts. With a shift towards malware-free attack techniques reported by CrowdStrike's 2025 Global Threat Report, to be one of the defining tre

Over a Third of Finance Leaders Fear Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Conditions in 2025

System warning hacked alert, cyberattack on computer network

Global Businesses Face Escalating AI Risk, as 87% Hit by AI Cyberattacks

87% of organisations across the globe report AI-driven cyberattacks in the last year. 95% report increase in multichannel attacks. In-house AI solutions are being manipulated by attackers. 87% of security professionals report that their organisation has encoun

business hand working with Data protection Cyber Security

Cybersecurity Trends of 2025: What the Experts Expect to See

With the recent news from GCHQ that the UK is facing a “widening gap” in its ability to fight cyber threats, 2025 looks to be an increasingly tough year for cybersecurity experts. Today, cybersecurity solutions provider ramsac share their top trends for 20

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Management Consulting Awards 2023

OPTIMAL4