Investment trust advice

Questions and Answers

UNIVERSAL INVESTMENT TRUST BANK is this true or scam?

Q) UNIVERSAL INVESTMENT TRUST BANK UNIVERSAL TRUST HOUSE LONDON SW16 4PY Email: admin@the-universal-investment-trust.e-bankers.org.uk Website:www.uitbank.page.tl Fax :+447075055831 Dear Sir/Madam., NON RESIDENT ACCOUNT OPENING/WIRE TRANSFERS At UIT Bank, we are building a better bank. A bank that is convenient, a bank that is expanding to better service our customers and, most importantly, a bank that is focused on Central uk. Over the past several years, you probably have grown accustomed to seeing the UIT Bank name more and more. Whether it’s our new and more conveniently located branches, our naming rights to UIT Bank Stadium, or our continued market share growth, UIT Bank is now “everywhere” in the lives of Central uk. This correspondence is to officially inform you on our receipt of a payment cheque issued from the Microsoft Lottery in your name. However, the proThis correspondence is to officially inform you on our receipt of a payment cheque issued from the Microsoft Lottery in your name. However, the process for transferring your funds would entail you opening an account here firstly at the UITBank. On conclusion of accounts opening, your lottery cheque would be deposited into your account and hence transferred to your local account in your home country. Thus, I advice that you choose from either of the accounts below most suitable for you: -Savings and Investments Account -Current Account -Platinum Account -Students Account You are adviced to choose from either of the accounts above and state in your reply email. Also a copy of a self identification viz: International Passport/Drivers Licence would be required. Endeavour to fill the customer account application form at : http://uitbank.page.tl/Not-Yet-A-Customer-f-.htm?PHPSESSID=f4757d62f62a8e1b87d9529e003a7625 As soon as your accounts form has ben received, an account would be opened in your name. You may hence commence online banking/text message banking/telephone banking with the Universal Investment Trsut Bank,hence continue banking with us or alternatively make transfers as previously informed. We await your reply email with your choice of account, your duely filled form and your passport photograph as email attachment or fax. We are glad to be of service to you.This correspondence is to officially inform you on our receipt of a payment cheque issued from the Microsoft Lottery in your name. However, the process for transferring your funds would entail you opening an account here firstly at the UITBank. On conclusion of accounts opening, your lottery cheque would be deposited into your account and hence transferred to your local account in your home country. Thus, I advice that you choose from either of the accounts below most suitable for you: -Savings and Investments Account -Current Account -Platinum Account -Students Account You are adviced to choose from either of the accounts above and state in your reply email. Also a copy of a self identification viz: International Passport/Drivers Licence would be required. Endeavour to fill the customer account application form at : http://uitbank.page.tl/Not-Yet-A-Customer-f-.htm?PHPSESSID=f4757d62f62a8e1b87d9529e003a7625 As soon as your accounts form has ben received, an account would be opened in your name. You may hence commence online banking/text message banking/telephone banking with the Universal Investment Trsut Bank,hence continue banking with us or alternatively make transfers as previously informed. We await your reply email with your choice of account, your duely filled form and your passport photograph as email attachment or fax. We are glad to be of service to you. Wilson Duncan Universal Investment Trust Bank.

A) Its a scam. If you are not specifically expecting an email, then just ignore it and delete it. Banks never send you anything like this through email, because there are so many scams based around banking its a rule they never break. They will never ask you for any personal details through email. The best rule for these thing is that you have the smallest idea its a scam, or feel you need to ask, then its definately a scam :-)

I want help with investing but I don't trust investment companies that charge fees. Is there nonprofit help?

Q) I'm sure there is a lot of investment advice out there that won't require me to hand my earnings over to commission based investment places.

A) Start by learning about investing, then worry about commissions later. Congratulations on getting started. It’ll help you more than you know! Your first dollars should be spent on getting educated on investing. You don't have to train to trade them professionally, but we are talking about your future here. So the more you learn, the more it'll help you! So let's start there. You ask a very broad question, so be prepared for a pretty long answer. Just take it in chunks! How to invest depends on what you already know. We'll assume that you're beginning! A good primer is How to Make Money in Stocks by William O'Neil. You can get it cheap just about anywhere. It’s widely available new or used. Another good one is one of Jim Cramer's books like Real Money (he’s got a few). But books will only get you so far. At some point, you'll also want to get at least a little training. There are some great education companies if you want to make the investment. Investools.com or optionetics.com are both very good companies as is tmitchell.com For free, you can start by visiting thestreet.com and investopedia.com. That'll get you a pretty good primer so at least you'll understand what the markets are and what a stock is, etc. If you get a chance, watch Mad Money on CNBC. Don't trade any of his picks until you track many of them over time. Just use the show to get you to understand some basics and get a feel for the market itself. Next, subscribe to something like Investorsbusiness daily or something like that that can help you identify good stocks. Once you understand stocks, go to 888options.com. It's a website that'll help you understand options (what they do, how they work, etc). You don't need to trade them, but the more you know, the more you'll see how options can really be the safest way to invest (once you're educated). For discipline (which is crucial to successful trading), probably Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas or Mastering the Trade by John Carter I know that’s a LOT to absorb. Just take it one step at a time for now. Start with a book or two to give you an idea of where to begin. Take your time, and let it seep in. As you get up to speed, you should papertrade to practice (highly recommended). This should help reduce your losses in the beginning as you get used to buying/selling. You can practice for free on almost any reputable broker site (optionsxpress, scottrade, thinkorswim, etc). And yes, you can definitely deal easily online. Start slow, then as you figure things out, you can buy more shares. Congrats again on getting started. If you have any questions, please let me know. Hope this helps!

Non-biased investment advice.?

Q) I want to invest around 10 grand into a fund for my daughter's education. My advisor recommended a CollegeAmerica 529 plan. I've never heard of this before. I know the best advice is to find an advisor that I can trust, but I don't trust anyone who is making money off me. Can anyone give me more info on this?? ... more info on the college plan...?

A) Yes, I agree with the gentlemen above. And if you went through the 529 plan yourself the cost would be the same for the investment, the broker will charge you probably 40 dollars a year for the account. As for the 529 plan, if you are looking to put money away for education this is a great choice. Like everything though, there are positives and negative. Positives..... 1. Tax deferred (like your IRA) 2. You can put large lump sums into it and even can put up to 60k in one year for the tax write-off(5 year forward gifting write off) (each state has a maximum contribution number based on the average price of their universities, Virginia obviously being higher than say South Dakota) 3. If you daughter decides she doesn't want to go to school, you can transfer that money laterally(to give to another child's education or a cousin) 4. You have control over the money. (so if your child ends up wanting to go to woodstock she will not get the money, oppossed to a custodial account where at the age of 18, legally it is her money to do with what she wants). 5. (could be a neg or positive for you) The money is invested in mutual funds, so more diversification. 6. Do not pay federal tax's on money when the child withdrawals, and if you purchase your state plan, you do not pay state tax's. Negatives 1. Your investment choices are only what is in the plan. 2. You have to pick age based investment plan or you pick your own. (age based is based on age, so the younger they are the more "risky" the account, as they get closer to college age, the portfolio is then moved to more "safe" investments) 3. You can only change the investments inside the plan 1 time a year. 4. The 529 plan has a sunset law attached to it by 2010. So in 2010 things are allowed to be reviewed with the plan and changed if necessary by federal law. 5. If you live in a state like me PA, where I hate Deleware Funds, you are stuck with it unless you choose another state's plan. (I would chose Virginia's plan for example because I like American Funds, and my family will pay just the state tax 3.5% when I take the money out) I think your advisor picked a great plan if you are looking for Educational funding. Also, your family, grandparents, friends, etc can contribute to the plan as well. Most plans offer as little as 25 dollars and some 50 dollar contribution to the plan. So its great for christmas and birthday gifts to contribute. And they can write it off on their tax's as a gift. Your financial advisor does not make much off this plan(commissions are lower with this plan than normal mutual funds) due to high federal regulation. You would be paying the same like I said earlier if you did it directly with your state's treasury department. (except for the account fee) Good luck! Edit- you said you want more information on the college plan? Every 529 plan in run by the same laws, the College America plan is Just Virginia's 529 plan. You have American Funds inside your plan vs. mine with PA is Deleware Funds. That is the only difference. And as a Fund family, I prefer American Funds. Obviously, American Funds(the actual mutual funds inside the plan) internal expenses are alittle lower than deleware funds when comparing, but the cost is the same for the 529 plan in any state you purchase it and the laws are the same. The only difference is like I said earlier, Virginia's plan allows for more money on a Maximum level than say South Dakota, because the Average price of universities in Virginia cost more.

Investment advice needed!?

Q) From various trust funds i have £25,000 to invest, I plan to do regular £3,000 ISA's, but I went to see an IFA, who said to invest in Equity bonds, however now with the current state of the stock markets, and the fact that I would be charged 5% commission, twice, one from the IFA and one from the equity bonds. Should I leave it in a 6.20% interest rate account?

A) ummm. im not good with europe. but i can recommend some bullish stocks. try AT&T (T) their due for partnerships with Apple (AAPL) also try Napster, Inc. (NAPS)

How does someone you thought you loved and loved you screw up your finances.?

Q) I have sent several messages regarding a personal banker providing me stock and investment advice which cost me thousands of dollars. I would like to speak to the office of the ombudsman. I will be pursuing this through legal counsel if I do not get a satisfactory answer to my concerns. I have lost a great deal of money (to me) because I trusted advice from a non-authorized person providing investment advice. This is the note I sent to the person's employer. I was taken for a ride and it cost me!!!!!

A) Is this personal banker someone you loved? You seem to be asking two questions. Did you place money into the hands of someone you loved and therefore trusted. Are both you and your loved one out of money because of a misinvestment. Contact the government immediately, as this will need to be investigated, and they can freeze the assets of this service, and you can reclaim at least some of your investment, if you can prove you were mislead. Keep any and all documents, and receipts. How this has to do with someone you love, you'll need to provide the authorities with this information also. It is better to reclaim your money, than take the chance and lose more money. You could lose your life. Do not forewarn these people anymore, as they will cover the paper trail of your money. Contact the Treasury Department in your area, they will put you into an investigations unit, they will need your information, and the amounts involved, and should get right on it. Let the government work for you.

What's some good advice for a beginning investor?

Q) Keep in mind I know next to nothing about money, so any and all advice will be appreciated. Basically, I'm looking to know what would be some good directions for investment? Stock market? Foreign currencies? I honestly have no clue, and also, what types of people I could consult with for further advice - and who if anyone I should trust to invest my money. Thanks.

A) You are not ready to invest unless you have bought your home. If you have $20,000 you can buy a home and the money you are squandering paying rent would end up taking care of you in your old age. If you have a home, $200 a month on the principal will make you richer than most of the stocks in the stock market. If you are financially well off and have $100,000 to fool around with. Put 75% of it in a mutual fund and use the funds manager to diversify as much as can be done. The remaining 25% can be invested as you feel like doing. In the long run, it is the base of taking care of home that will pull you out of problems.

Can you create a business inside a TRUST?

Q) I am very interested in the benefits and uses of forming a TRUST. Such as, tax benefits, interest bearing investments, real property, and businesses. Please give me your advice in good, and creative ways to use a TRUST. ie.. place a business inside a TRUST and claim disability.

A) This is too complicated to discuss here in this limited space, but.... my parents formed a Revocable Living Trust, which allowed them to place all their assets (I mean EVERYTHING) into a Trust, which, upon death of one and/or both of them, is treated favorably (from the heirs' standpoint) in matters of estate taxation and plus it allows heirs the ability to avoid probate completely. Only problem is, these sorts of Trusts need to be set up by competent and skilled attorneys and accountants, with all the requisite documentation, etc. You can even put your business into the Trust, if you rename it and retitle it properly (again, resort to the attorneys for this). Like I said, it's complicated, but I can recommend a good book on it for the layman: "The Living Trust : The Failproof Way to Pass Along Your Estate to Your Heirs", by Henry W. Abts. Read about it on Amazon.com for starters. It is full of useful information, lots of real-life case stories, and many useful FAQ'a that help you understand Trusts and their uses a lot better. Good night, and good luck. Col. Kurtz.

How do I know if my financial advisor is giving me good advice?

Q) I don't know much about investments and stocks, so I trust my advisor to make all of my decisions about my IRA. All of the money is in one mutual fund, is that normal? I've got about 8K in there now, I've just started. I'm 29 years old. It's the TA IDEX ASSET ALLOC-B (symbol is IMLBX. I'm currently automatically having $250 put into this IRA each month. I'm almost 30 years old.

A) rediculous to expect 24%, 8k is not a lot to invest, so depending on the fund you are just fine with one fund, there may be some fees that come with a low account balance that your advisor is saving you from, sometimes an account with over 10k in it has some benefits, hard to say without knowing the fund, you cant just say that it is a bad advisor because its in one fund, and you absolutely cant say that you cannot have all your money in one fund, you just dont know the situation,it could be a target date fund,where the money should only be in one fund, how old are you and what fund does he have you in?

Need business advice from a global investment banker?

Q) I have a close friend for 15 years. He is a Russian guy. I am an American who speaks Russian. I helped him to get his company started by giving him a loan. He paid it back with interest. Now the company has over 100 million in sales and about 15 million in profit. The book value is huge because he bought assets in 1999 and now they have appreciated immensely.. he owns 1 million acres of land in Russia! The guy is magic and knows how to build a business. There is huge organic growth and a pipeline of acquistions that is more than full. He asked me to help him raise more capital. I am doing this with major investment banks in Moscow. They are dying to loan to him. He will get at least 200 million USD. Should I approach him about compensation or equity? If so, how ? I asked him for a small % and he said "I will think about it". Things are getting serious and I am wondering whether to ask him again or just trust him.

A) Hi! My name is Yuliana K.you question many likes me.My English write is not good but i attempt answers for you .I thing business is business - friendship is friendship money is money you must by have contract wit him . When you do business together must to write your percentage in you general deal?I don't know but i attempt to help you .

I got screwed?

Q) How does someone you thought you loved and loved you screw up your finances.? I have sent several messages regarding a personal banker providing me stock and investment advice which cost me thousands of dollars. I would like to speak to the office of the ombudsman. I will be pursuing this through legal counsel if I do not get a satisfactory answer to my concerns. I have lost a great deal of money (to me) because I trusted advice from a non-authorized person providing investment advice. This is the note I sent to the person's employer. I was taken for a ride and it cost me!!!!!

A) So what is the question. I mean it seems to me like you did a good job of solving the problem.

Please translate this financial advice for my elderly mother for me (is it a scam)?

Q) My 80-year old mother's financial advisor just sent me this email. A few years ago he recommended an annuity, so I'm not sure I can trust his advice. What do you think he intends to do, and is it reasonable? I would suggest that we move 100K of the almost 400K that will be earning 4.1% in her savings account. My recommendation would then be to allocate 40K into each of the two programs that I would recommend. One is yielding 6.2% and the other 6.3%. We would leave the remaining 20K in money market (currently earning 4.5% but will fluctuate and is subject to change as rates change). My objectives for these investment recommendations are preservation of principal, steady income, and capital appreciation on the back end of the program. Our total return target over the life of the program is an annualized total return of 9% -10%. There is no commission, load or ongoing fee paid by the client to go into these programs so the yield is a net yield. Thanks for everything so far! Here's more: There are several investment programs with which I work that are direct investment programs that are non-correlated to the stock market or to the bond market, are non-traded and therefore do not change in value (share price is stable at $10.00) and are earning yields of 6.2% and 6.3%. We can re-invest the dividends or have the dividends swept into a money market.

A) I used to be a broker and now am a financial economist. Without knowing what the advisor is recommending, I would be deeply suspicious. A 6.2 and 6.3% yield is generous right now, considering commissions and so I would be very cautious. I would additionally be very cautious because this guy implies, if not true illegally, that the advisor does not get paid. It could be that the advisor gets an "introduction fee," which is technically not a load, commission or ongoing fee. A current yield could mean, and does likely mean, that a portion of the interest is actually principal but is taxed as interest. You would take a capital loss when the account is closed, but are legally limited on the deductibility. The 9-10% target is obscure, how does one get 9-10% when the highest returning asset is 6.3% which is generous in itself. Go to bankrate.com for a better bank account. I would be suspicious, but you really need the details.