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How to Rock the Smart Casual Look for Men

Fashion

Claire James

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15 February 2023

How to Rock the Smart Casual Look for Men

When it comes to outfits for men, it is important to dress for the occasion. Many men invest in nice suits and even formal dinner suits for work and for special formal events. They also have casual clothes for going out with friends and family or for wearing at home. However, many want something that falls between these categories, and this is where the smart casual look really works.

The smart casual look is ideal for all sorts of occasions and outings where you don’t want to look dressed up to the nines, but you also do not want to look too casual and informal. It basically combines the smartness you would get with more formalwear with the informal vibes of a casual outfit, which means that you get the best of both worlds. In this article, we will look at some of the wardrobe additions that can help you to rock the smart casual look.

Smart Casual Additions for Your Wardrobe

Investing in the right clothing for your smart casual wardrobe means that you can create the ideal outfits by mixing and matching different options. Some of the staples to consider for your smart casual clothing collection are:

Smart Jeans or Chinos

If you want to combine smart and casual, a pair of smart jeans or chinos can help you to create the perfect look. It is a good idea to invest in a range of colours if you can, as this means that you can create the right contrasts when dressing in smart casual attire. It is best to wear contrasting separates to create the perfect look, so if you are wearing a dark top, go for lighter jeans or chinos and vice versa.

Selection of Polo Shirts

Some men decide to just go with a shirt without the tie and with the top button undone for a smart casual look. This is fine if you want to err on the more formal side of smart casual. However, if you want to go for a traditional smart casual look, polo shirts provide the ideal solution. You can choose from a variety of colours so that you have options to go with different pairs of jeans and chinos. You can also enjoy feeling more comfortable and relaxed when wearing a polo shirt.

Smart Blazer

To complete your smart casual look, a stylish tailored blazer is essential. This will give your outfit a smart overall finish while the rest of the outfit adds to the casual look of the outfit. You can choose from different materials so that you have blazer options that are suitable for all seasons. There are also many different colours and designs that you can choose from to cater to your individual tastes and preferences.

Get a Consultation to Create the Perfect Smart Casual Look

If you want to rock the perfect smart casual look, it is well worth arranging a consultation with fashion experts. This will help to ensure you invest in the right separates for your smart casual wardrobe so you can create the perfect outfit for any occasion.

Modern Home Appliances Every Household Needs

Property

Claire James

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15 February 2023

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In the digital age, home gadgets and electrical appliances have become a staple in households across the world! From bluetooth connected devices to tools that help simplify daily tasks, almost every family will admit to owning and using digital home appliances.

With more new gadgets released every year, the latest craze is never too far round the corner, such as making your own household labels. Consumers are always quick to snap up the latest must-have gadget, helping to sell out popular brands in just some hours. Just look at the current air fryer hype, so many families and households have jumped on board this trend, selling out popular air fryer brands online and in stores! In this article, provided by wholesale, DK Wholesale, we will be discussing just some of the most popular home appliances every household needs.

Air Fryers

As previously mentioned, air fryers have become an incredibly popular domestic appliance in recent years. Providing an alternative method of cooking that is not only healthier, easier, and enjoyable, but also a great way to save energy. Great for families, couples, busy professionals and more, air fryers are practical and make cooking fun for everyone. With various functions and styles, air fryers have advanced exceptionally, now offering a low fat cooking method for such a wide range of foods and meals.

Juicers and Blenders

Juicers and blenders have certainly become a popular domestic appliance with those who enjoy making quick and easy smoothies and juices. Perfect for getting your 5 a day in one drink, juicers and blenders can make any morning routine so easy! With juicers capable of juicing all types of fruits and vegetables, whilst also discarding the pulp and seeds families can enjoy fresh and healthy fruit juices in a matter of minutes. While not only will blenders make great fruit smoothies, they can also be used to blend cooked vegetables for soups, purees and more.

Coffee Machines

For those who can’t go without a cup of coffee every morning, a coffee machine is an absolute must-have gadget. With so many on the market to choose from, coffee lovers now have a wide range of options when it comes to finding a coffee machine to suit their taste. Plus, with a choice of flavours, syrups, and additional gadgets like coffee bean grinders and milk frothers, it’s never been easier to create barista style cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and more.

Food Processors

Food processors are the perfect kitchen gadget for helping speed up the food preparation and cooking process. Saving time in the kitchen by assisting in the chopping of foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as combining ingredients ready for cooking, a food processor is the ultimate must-have kitchen gadget for busy families and couples who want to continue to cook healthy, nutritious meals without spending hours preparing ingredients.

Sandwich toaster

For those who have always craved the perfect sandwiches and toasties, a sandwich toaster is a great gadget to have handy in the house. The ideal machine for creating a tasty snack, lunch or quick meal before running out the door. Sandwich toasters and grills are both practical but also compact, meaning they can be kept in a deep kitchen drawer or kitchen cabinet when not in use. Panini makers and sandwich toasters work with all kinds of ingredients means just about anyone will enjoy using them.

Maximizing Cash Management Efficiency through Technology and Automation

Technology

Claire James

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15 February 2023

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Maximizing Cash Management Efficiency through Technology and Automation

Business cash management is the process of effectively managing a business’s cash inflows and outflows to maximize the availability of cash and minimize financial risk. It involves forecasting future cash needs, managing short-term and long-term cash requirements, and investing idle cash to generate a return. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of effective cash management and the role that technology and automation play in maximizing cash management for businesses.

Definition of Business Cash Management

Business cash management is the process of managing a company’s financial resources to ensure that it has the necessary cash on hand to meet its obligations and make investments. This includes forecasting cash needs, managing short-term and long-term cash requirements, and investing idle cash to generate a return.

Importance of Effective Cash Management for Businesses

Effective cash management is critical for the success and growth of a business. Without adequate cash on hand, businesses can struggle to meet their obligations and make investments, leading to financial stress and reduced competitiveness. On the other hand, effective cash management allows businesses to maintain financial stability and seize opportunities for growth and expansion.

Understanding Business Cash Management

In order to effectively manage cash, it is important for business owners to understand the basics of cash management, including cash inflows and outflows, the importance of forecasting future cash needs, and managing short-term and long-term cash requirements.

Cash Inflows and Outflows

Cash inflows refer to the money that comes into a business, such as revenue from sales, interest income, and loan proceeds. Cash outflows refer to the money that goes out of a business, such as operating expenses, loan payments, and investment outlays.

Importance of Forecasting Future Cash Needs

Forecasting future cash needs involves estimating future cash inflows and outflows to ensure that the business has enough cash on hand to meet its obligations and make investments. This requires an understanding of the business’s operating cycle, as well as an analysis of future sales, expenses, and investments.

Managing Short-term and Long-term Cash Needs

In addition to forecasting future cash needs, it is also important for businesses to manage their short-term and long-term cash requirements. Short-term cash needs refer to immediate cash requirements, such as paying bills and salaries, while long-term cash needs refer to future cash requirements, such as funding growth and expansion.

Maximizing Business Cash Management with Technology and Automation

The use of technology and automation can significantly enhance the effectiveness of cash management for businesses. From increased accuracy and efficiency to real-time data access and improved forecasting capabilities, technology and automation offer a range of benefits for businesses looking to maximize their cash management.

Benefits of Technology and Automation in Cash Management

Increased Accuracy and Efficiency

One of the biggest benefits of technology and automation in cash management is the increased accuracy and efficiency they provide. Automated systems can help eliminate manual errors, ensuring that financial data is accurate and up-to-date, while also reducing the time and resources required to manage cash.

Real-Time Data Access

Another key benefit of technology and automation in cash management is real-time data access. With real-time data access, business owners can easily monitor their cash flow and make informed decisions to maximize cash management.

Improved Forecasting Capabilities

Technology and automation also offer improved forecasting capabilities, allowing businesses to make more accurate predictions about future cash needs and requirements. With advanced forecasting tools, businesses can make informed decisions about investments, spending, and other financial activities to maximize their cash management.

Types of Technology and Automation Used in Business Cash Management

There are a variety of technology and automation tools that businesses can use to maximize their cash management. Some of the most commonly used tools include:

Accounting and Financial Management Software

Accounting and financial management software is designed to help businesses manage their financial operations, including cash management. With features such as real-time financial reporting, automated bank reconciliation, and budgeting and forecasting tools, accounting and financial management software can significantly enhance cash management for businesses.

Cash Management Systems

Cash management systems are specifically designed to manage a business’s cash inflows and outflows. These systems offer a range of features, including real-time cash visibility, cash forecasting, and investment management, to help businesses maximize their cash management.

Online Banking and Payment Processing Solutions

Online banking and payment processing solutions offer businesses a convenient and efficient way to manage their cash. With features such as online bill payment, electronic funds transfer (EFT), and automated reconciliation, these solutions can help businesses streamline their cash management processes and reduce the time and resources required to manage cash.

Considerations for Implementing Technology and Automation in Cash Management

While technology and automation can greatly enhance the effectiveness of cash management for businesses, there are also some considerations to keep in mind when implementing these solutions. These include:

Cost

One of the biggest considerations for businesses when implementing technology and automation in cash management is the cost. While these solutions can offer significant benefits, they can also be expensive to implement and maintain.

Technical Expertise

Another consideration for businesses is the level of technical expertise required to effectively implement and use technology and automation solutions. Businesses may need to invest in training or hire additional staff to effectively manage these solutions.

Integration with Existing Systems

Finally, businesses must consider how technology and automation solutions will integrate with their existing systems. This includes ensuring that data is accurately transferred between systems and that systems are able to communicate with one another.

Effective cash management is critical for the success and growth of a business, and technology and automation can greatly enhance the effectiveness of cash management for businesses.

With increased accuracy and efficiency, real-time data access, and improved forecasting capabilities, technology and automation offer a range of benefits for businesses looking to maximize their cash management. However, businesses must also consider the cost, technical expertise, and integration with existing systems when implementing these solutions. By carefully evaluating the benefits and considerations of technology and automation in cash management, businesses can make informed decisions to maximize their cash management and achieve their financial goals.

Inflation here to stay: Where should you invest?

ABC Staff

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15 February 2023

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Inflation here to stay: Where should you invest?

Inflation is cooling gradually but remains stubbornly high in most major developed economies, including the UK and U.S., despite the efforts of central banks.

This week, official data shows that U.S. Consumer Price Inflation – CPI – is 6.4%, slightly higher than was expected, but down from a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022. On Wednesday, the UK inflation rate was revealed to have fallen for the third month in a row in January to hit 10.1%, below economists’ expectations, but still five times higher than the Bank of England’s target.

Markets are now betting on a longer period of higher interest rates as they begin to take heed of the message from central bank officials, including those from the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England and European Central Bank, that there’s still a way to go to cool inflation in the face of robust labour markets and wage growth.

Continuing hot inflation, agree experts, can impact an individual’s investments, leaving investors asking: where do I invest in an ongoing high inflation environment?

“Stubborn inflation affects stock markets because central banks, including the Fed, BoE and ECB, will have to continue to step in and raise interest rates. This means people adjust and rein-in their spending, it cools the economy and companies can struggle to make profits,” says Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organisations.

He continues: “Stock markets are correlated to the profits of the companies within that particular index.

“In this environment of higher rates for longer than had previously been anticipated, some companies are going to find it difficult to maintain margin and, as we’re now seeing, are failing to report earnings as had been expected.

“In other words, if costs are going up firms can’t maintain margin, so that company is unlikely to be a good investment until things change.”

The deVere Group CEO identifies four key sectors that he expects to be “resilient in this current environment.”

He explains: “We’re looking at sectors that can maintain margin, despite inflation and interest rate hikes.

“These include healthcare, luxury goods, energy and agriculture.

“Healthcare is a robust sector as people will always need to stay healthy – this has come into focus more than ever since the pandemic. Also, despite wider market volatility, there’s strong earnings potential due to ageing populations and other demographic changes. Plus, healthcare is becoming increasingly tech-driven, which offers fresh opportunities.”

He goes on to say: “Luxury goods can maintain margin due to the inherent aspirational ‘elite and exclusive’ aspect of the sector.

“We’ll look at energy because there’s a shortage of energy in the world right now.

“Agriculture is another one as populations in emerging markets around the world are eating more meat. As they eat more meat, there needs to be more grain produced.”

In this, and all environments, there remains one clear way for investors to maximise returns relative to risk: the time-honoured practice of portfolio diversification. A considered mix of asset classes, sectors, regions and currencies offers you protection from shocks.

A good fund manager will help you sidestep potential risks and benefit from key opportunities.

“Inflation is going to be an issue for investors for a while yet,” concludes Nigel Green.

“However, these can also be times of opportunity if you stay fully and wisely invested.”

REVEALED: Auditing is the most in demand finance career in the UK right now according to research

ABC Staff

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15 February 2023

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REVEALED: Auditing is the most in demand finance career in the UK right now according to research

These are the most in demand finance jobs in the world right now according to new research.

Auditing is the most in demand finance career right now
Accounting is the most desirable financial sector to work in

A new study from CMC Markets, an online trading platform, analysed monthly Google searches using Ahrefs for jobs within the financial industry to see which career is the most in demand. They also extracted the number of UK-based listings for each finance role from the job site Indeed during the month of December 2022.

Rank	Job Title	Total global Google searches
1	Auditor	222,500
2	Actuary	166,600
3	Corporate banking	96,280
4	Bank teller	43,250
5	Forensic accounting	39,650
6	Compliance officer	35,170
7	Client advisor	29,080
8	Loan Officer	22,950
9	Branch manager	18,560
10	Risk manager	17,430

Searches for ‘auditor’ ranked number one on the list with 222,500 monthly Google searches. People are searching 5,000 times on average a month for ‘auditor jobs’ and 500 times for ‘auditor careers’. There are currently 785 auditor jobs in the finance sector on Indeed.

Actuarial careers came closely behind as the second most sought-after job in finance with a combined 166,600 searches per month for ‘actuary careers’ and ‘actuary jobs’. An actuary was the only career within the insurance sector to make it into the top ten. There are currently 1,030 actuary jobs within the finance sector on Indeed.

The third most desirable finance career is corporate banking which amassed a total of 96,280 Google searches per month, 1,200 of which were for the search term ‘corporate banking jobs’. There are currently 3,748 corporate banking jobs on Indeed.

Another banking career took the fourth spot with bank teller totalling 43,250 Google searches every month, 12,000 of these monthly searches were for ‘bank teller jobs’. At present, there are only 35 bank teller jobs on Indeed.

In fifth place came forensic accounting with 39,650 Google searches per month and the sixth most in demand career in finance was a compliance officer with 35,170 monthly Google searches.

Despite being one of the ten most desirable finance jobs, forensic accounting only yields 64 job openings in the UK, according to Indeed. On the other hand, there are currently 6,685 compliance officer openings in the UK on Indeed.

With 29,080 Google searches a month, a client advisor was the seventh most searched for finance career and there are 811 job openings for client advisor roles on Indeed.

Loan officers and branch managers occupied the eighth and ninth place on the list with 22,950 and 18,560 monthly Google searches respectively. There are 1,744 roles on Indeed for both loan officers and branch managers in the UK.The research found that the tenth most in demand job in finance is a risk manager with 17,430 monthly Google searches. There are currently 5,259 job openings on Indeed for risk manager roles in the UK.Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets commented on the findings: “Despite the scarcity of jobs in some industries, it seems that there is a noticeable interest within different sectors of the finance world.

“It is interesting to see that a large proportion of this number is made up of searches related to the banking sector. And as a whole, financial careers are being searched for 2,935,840 times per month on Google.

“This number is definitely something to keep an eye on as we approach the new year, as people may look to seek new opportunities in 2023.”

Experts reveal Best ways to stay fit working from home

ABC Staff

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15 February 2023

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Experts reveal Best ways to stay fit working from home

·5 of the best tips for staying fit while working from home

·Experts reveals how you can stay fit on any budget   

Research conducted by online fitness resource Total Shape found the best ways to keep active while working from home.

Since Covid-19 swept across the globe, many industries have shifted to fully remote or hybrid working. During covid, 70% of the workforce was working from home (WFH) and since then, 61.9% of companies have planned to incorporate remote work, be it fully remote or hybrid. With more and more people working from the comfort of their own home, a Health Impact Assessment found that home working may be associated with more sedentary lifestyles and in turn increased risk of obesity. Most of our calories throughout the day are burned through non-exercise activity thermogenesis, which is things such as walking, and other basic activities. When working from home, sometimes our activities can be even more limited.

This guide from Total Shape includes some great ways to stay fit even when you are working from home.

·Standing Desk

Standing desks have gained popularity over the last few years and have been proven to provide many positive health benefits. Some of the benefits of standing desks is that standing burns more calories than sitting, even if you simply stand still. Research has also shown that 66% of workers felt more productive and 87% felt more energised. Standing activates the muscles in your legs and core while stimulating circulation, which can help you to burn extra calories and build your strength. Standing desks come in a range of styles and cater for all different budgets meaning this is an accessible option for all.

Cost: £150 – £600

Calories per hour: 60 – 90

·Desk Treadmill

Although it is a more expensive option, this is one of the most effective ways to stay fit while working at home. It essentially takes the standing desk a step further by adding the walking element. Studies have shown that walking between 1 and 2.5 mph can lead to an extra 170 – 240 calories burned per hour. Not only have people encountered the physical benefits of getting more exercise, but walking helps to oxygenate the brain by stimulating blood circulation. So, we think better and more efficiently when we walk. With most people having busy schedules outside of work, it can make getting the recommended amount of physical exercise difficult, which makes this a great way to stay fit while working from home.

Cost: £200 – £800

Calories per hour: 170 – 240

·Under Desk Bikes

A very similar concept to the desk treadmill, an under the desk bike features a small set of pedals that can slide under your desk so that you can pedal while sitting. The small machines can be altered to have more resistance which makes it harder or easier to pedal. This type of aerobic exercise is good for staying fit and can help strengthen your legs and joints. Studies estimated that peddling while seated can burn up to 10 calories per minute depending on the intensity, which means you could burn up to 600 calories an hour. However, the average gentle peddling will most likely burn 100-300 an hour.

Cost: £50 – £200

Calories per hour: 100 – 600 (depending on intensity)

·Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are an affordable option to help train your body and get fitter. You can perform plenty of more passive resistance band workouts even when you’re doing something at your desk. This means that in between typing and during brainstorming sessions, your body can keep active alongside your mind. Exercises could include bicep curls, overhead tricep extensions and shoulder raises. However, there are many variations and other exercises that can be done with resistance bands.

Resistance bands can help you build muscle and burn calories while seated at your desk. A study published in 2022 showed that resistance band training lowers body fat in people who are overweight better than other forms of training, including free weights and bodyweight exercises.

Cost: £15 – £40

Calories per hour: 180 – 252

·7 Minute workout

Searching “seven-minute workout” on the app store will reveal a fantastic app that will guide you through various workouts that you can do in your own home, which take just seven minutes at a time. The best thing about the seven-minute workout app is that its programs are designed especially for people who are doing the workouts at home, and who have no special equipment. While there are some in-app purchases available, you can use the app completely free – so there’s nothing stopping you from getting started.

The 7-minute nature of these workouts allows people with busy schedules to fit in exercise and can help break up your working day which can increase productivity. Building muscle will also help you to burn more NEAT calories as well which in the long term will help you stay fit and healthy.

Cost: Free

Calories per 7 minutes: 20 – 50

·Diet

Exercise and living an active lifestyle are obviously important in staying fit and healthy; however, diet is a key contributor to overall health and fitness. People with few distractions at home may find that they are more aware of hunger than they would be at the workplace which can lead to more snacking and possibly an unhealthier diet. By focusing on eating healthy foods and healthy snacks, people who work from home can ensure that they are staying fit and keeping their bodies healthy. Studies show that both the overall composition of the human diet and specific dietary components have been shown to have an impact on brain function, this means that diet isn’t only going to keep you fit, but it’s going to improve cognitive function, and thus the quality of work produced.

A spokesperson from Total Shape commented: “Roughly 2 in 3 people in the US are overweight and with many aspects of life becoming more sedentary, it’s important that people try to find new ways to keep fit and healthy. Life has become busy and more expensive, meaning that it’s harder to find the time and money to attend gyms or activities that help us to remain fit.

This guide provides a plethora of choices for people on various budgets and with specific preferences to ensure we are keeping ourselves healthy.”    

The study was conducted by Total Shape, which is a fitness resource site providing information about workouts, supplements, and fitness to help reach your goals.

Rapid growth sees Simply Asset Finance hit £1 billion lending milestone

ABC Staff

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15 February 2023

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Rapid growth sees Simply Asset Finance hit £1 billion lending milestone

Company hits lending milestone after funding over 27,600 assets
Simply Asset Finance has served small and medium sized businesses in sectors including transport, construction, recycling, and agriculture
Its Loan Book grew by 36% in 2022

Simply Asset Finance surpasses £1bn lending milestone just five years since its 2017 inception, having funded over 27,600 assets for businesses across the UK.

The business was founded by a team of asset finance specialists in response to the overly-complicated SME financing process generating low approval rates in the UK. It has since grown to a team of 127 members and has so far served over 6,000 customers.

This landmark comes at the end of Simply Asset Finance’s fifth year of trading and is largely due to the business staying open and expanding during the pandemic. It has provided bespoke finance solutions with its market leading technology, allowing customers and brokers to feel supported by the service and able to grow and maintain their businesses. During 2022, its Loan Book grew by 36% and Simply Asset Finance was proudly placed in the top 50 of the FT1000 fastest growing businesses in Europe and in the top five for financial services.

During its growth, Simply Asset Finance has worked in a wide range of sectors including transport, construction, manufacturing, recycling, and agriculture. It’s active across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with on-the-ground experience in each area.

The technology at the centre of the business was built from a complete rethink of what lending should be, allowing service levels to significantly improve without added complexity. The data models take multiple factors into account, not just a credit score, meaning real-time data can allow a multi-dimensional view of the customers’ ability to repay a loan, or, if needed by the customer, modify payment streams to fit new cash flow projections.

This is also paired with a strong team of experts and trusted broker partners across the UK who customers can trust to fully understand their businesses and deliver a seamless funding experience. Simply Asset Finance believes in its customers’ potential and is committed to helping them achieve it by investing time in understanding each business and the requirements.

Mike Randall, CEO at Simply Asset Finance, said: “SMEs account for over 60% of the UK economy, yet historically have been overlooked by governments and underserved by banks. It is essential they have access to suitable funding options so they can grow into the businesses the economy needs, especially in a time of continued economic turmoil.

“This is where Simply has been an industry game-changer. We have built a company that serves all SMEs to allow them to grow and thrive. Our technology enables us to look beyond the balance sheet, and when paired with our in-house expertise, has been the core driver behind our rapid, and projected, growth.”

Cut £20,000 off your mortgage. Have you got 10 Minutes Spare?

ABC Staff

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15 February 2023

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Cut £20,000 off your mortgage. Have you got 10 Minutes Spare?

A 10-minute call could save you up to £20,000 in mortgage costs; since the beginning of 2021, fixed-rate deals have been going down in price.

On the 24th of October, Natwest’s fixed rate with 15% deposit over a period of five years was 6.39%.
Based on a £250,000 mortgage with a duration of 25 years, the monthly payment amount is estimated at £1,671.
As of the 2nd of February, the rate is 4.58%, which will result in payments of £1,401 a month.
And it would save £30,500 of interest over a ten-year period.

At the start of the year, fixed-rate mortgages were much pricier than they are now. Since then, costs have been decreasing steadily.

Home buyers looking to secure a mortgage could save considerable money by approaching their lender for a more affordable fixed interest rate.

The Bank of England has raised interest rates again, yet the cost of fixed-rate mortgages has decreased significantly since the beginning of this year.

This detail institutions don’t have to tell you is that even if you applied when rates were highest at 6.5 percent, back in October.

Making a call to your bank could dramatically reduce future monthly payments and help save thousands of pounds in interest for numerous people, according to experts. Even if the application process was started recently, last month for instance, you may still benefit from this.

On 24th October, NatWest had a five-year fixed rate of 6.39 per cent for those with a 15 percent deposit, which worked out to £1,671 per month on the basis of a 25-year loan of £250,000.

By February 2, the new borrowing rate stood at 4.58 per cent, resulting in a monthly payment of £1,401. This shift would mean a borrower saves £16,200 in interest over five years.

Adrian Anderson, the director of Anderson Harris Mortgage Brokers, comments that over the past 3 months there has been a reduction in fixed rates for new deals, and anticipates this trend to carry on.

If you have a mortgage offer letter from the previous four months and haven’t utilized it, contact your bank. It could allow you to switch to a more affordable alternative which is comparable in value.

Mr Anderson states he was able to save a customer £330 every month through shifting their 5.24 percent five-year fixed rate with HSBC, booked on the 10th of November and costing them £1,965 per month.

He waited for it to be finalised, then headed back to the bank and requested a switch to 4.36 per cent, which was the rate being provided to new customers. By making this change he could save £19,800 in interest between now and 2028.

Find out what rate your bank is offering to new customers for the same deal, and if it will be possible to switch without disrupting your mortgage offer, Mr Anderson suggests.

He stresses that it’s not certain due to the varied regulations among banks. However, he believes making a call can help one avoid paying a higher rate than necessary.

HSBC and First Direct recently both introduced five-year deals below the 4 per cent mark, with 3.99 per cent being the rate. Lloyds Bank and Virgin Money are now following suit by offering the same rate for a thirty-three year period.

Moneyfacts have reported that the average five-year fix is currently 5.08 per cent while, interestingly, ten-year deals are currently slightly lower at 5.06 per cent.

Fixes that hold for a decade are a particular type of product. Data from UK Finance shows that just 4 per cent of loans taken out in November were for an extended period of more than five years; 66 pc had a five-year plan, and 22 per cent had opted for a two-year term.

Experts have cautioned against signing ten-year contracts too quickly, even if the rates are more appealing than shorter-term arrangements. They emphasise that this type of agreement carries less flexibility in the long run.

When seeking a mortgage, it is important to think about your situation and how long you intend to remain in your property. Andrew Montlake of broker Coreco highlights this.

It’s possible you could move your mortgage to another property, however, this will be determined by your lender. I’d suggest not to make a decision just on the interest rates alone.

David Hollingworth of mortgage broker L&C believes that lenders will continue to introduce products below 4 per cent, increasing the variety of options available over the coming weeks.

The ‘swap rate’ – the cost for banks to borrow money to lend to homeowners – is currently more expensive in the short-term, allowing banks to offer lower rates on longer-term products, according to Mr Hollingworth.

GlobalData sees companies posting jobs around OpenAI/ChatGPT

Business

ABC Staff

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15 February 2023

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GlobalData sees companies posting jobs around OpenAI/ChatGPT

Conversational artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field, and the demand for skilled professionals with expertise in natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and related technologies is on the rise. As more companies adopt chatbots and other conversational interfaces to improve their customer service and operational efficiency, the need for talented individuals to develop, maintain, and operate these systems is also increasing. Against this backdrop, GlobalData finds that companies are posting jobs related to OpenAI, ChatGPT, OpenAI/ChatGPT.

ChatGPT has been generating buzz online ever since its launch. In response, recently Google launched AI chatbot Bard and Microsoft is also incorporating OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Bing search and Edge browser.

Sherla Sriprada, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Conversational AI tools can not only automate many repetitive and time-consuming tasks but also help companies in providing personalized and efficient customer service. By providing insights and recommendations based on large amounts of data, they enable companies to make more informed and data-driven decisions.”

An analysis of GlobalData’s Job Analytics Database reveals that companies looking for experience around ChatGPT are Raona Engineers Sl., TripActions Inc, Maximus Inc, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Companies which are seeking employees with OpenAI experience include Clarity AI Inc, SGS SA, Unity Software Inc, ServiceNow Inc, and Thales SA.

Bloomberg LP is hiring for ‘South Asia Technology News Team Leader – Singapore’. The role includes helping global coverage for giant companies like Apple and Google as well as trending topics such as ChatGPT or memory chip demand.

Mohawk Industries Inc’s ‘Systems Developer Intern – Summer 2023’ role looks at the developing software application that will be used as an informational chat tool. The developed chat tool will help streamline System Access Management (SAM) application and helps in developing as well as testing of chat bot using Open.Ai ChatGPT.

Riverflex’s ‘Data and Analytics Intern’ role looks at conducting research and staying up to date with the latest developments in data and analytics (D&A) and related fields. Another role by Infinitus Systems, Inc’s ‘Senior Content Marketing Manager’ looks at creating assets including but not limited to blog posts, infographics, animated videos, and/or short social stories to rank on the first page of Google and in new tools like ChatGPT.

Sriprada concludes: “Jobs related to ChatGPT and AI language models are expected to continue growing in the future as AI and machine learning technologies continue to advance and be implemented across a wide range of industries.”

US CPI: Investors look through near-term squalls, focus on earnings

ABC Staff

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14 February 2023

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US CPI: Investors look through near-term squalls, focus on earnings

Month-on-month inflation reports and the Federal Reserve’s responses won’t fixate investors, says the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organizations.

Nigel Green of deVere Group’s warning comes as a new report on U.S. inflation reveals the annual rate of price increases was 6.4% in January following a decline to 6.5% in December. More broadly, inflation has cooled from a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022.

He says: “It’s slightly higher than most analysts had expected, but it’s nothing too dramatic. All other reports were in line with expectations.

“It should also be noted that different calculation metrics were used this month.

“There has been a shift as markets are now betting on a longer period of higher interest rates as they begin to take heed of the message from U.S. Federal Reserve officials that there’s still a way to cool inflation in the face of a robust labour market.

“The tight labour market is a headache for the Fed, as it contributes to strong wage growth. However, Fed Chair Powell made clear last week that embedded inflation, caused by wage growth, is not yet a problem.”

The deVere CEO continues: “Despite the higher-than-expected inflation print, it’s clear to investors that we’re far closer to the ‘home run’ now.

“I think investors will, sensibly, be prepared to look through any near-term squalls on inflation and interest rate news.

“Instead, rightly, they will be focused more on earnings. Fourth-quarter 2022 earnings have fallen from a year ago, now a decline in the first quarter of 2023 would push the S&P 500 into an earnings recession.”

This, says Nigel Green, will be more front and center in investors’ minds.

“They are less fixated on the month-on-month inflation reports and the Federal Reserve’s response.

“Inflation seems to have peaked and investors are looking to the future, not in the rear-view mirror.”

As we move past peak-inflation, it’s critical that investors ensure their portfolios are suitably diversified across asset classes, sectors, currencies and regions, so as to make the most of the considerable opportunities that will inevitably present themselves.

“As the economic cycle moves ahead, and economies readjust, there will be big winners and big losers – it’s about being invested in the right companies, those which can consistently maintain or steadily grow margin, as well as diversification across sectors, asset classes and regions.

“A good fund manager will be critical in identifying these winners and losers as the economic cycle moves on,” affirms the deVere CEO.

He concludes: “As we’re seeing, some companies are struggling to maintain margin and are failing to report as had been expected.

“This is now a bigger deal for investors looking to build wealth than individual inflation reports.”

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