FAQS
About NBL & Financial Management/Advisers
WHAT IS FINANCIAL PLANNING?
Financial planning is about helping you make the most of your money and ensuring you are in the best financial shape possible. This covers investments, pensions, mortgages – any assets that money can be accessed from.
WHY SHOULD I USE NBL FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE?
We offer expert financial advice but without the expensive service costs. We are able to do this as we are more efficient than most financial advisers, mainly through experience, being independent and the use of technology.
WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘INDEPENDENT’?
An Independent Financial Planner or adviser is a term used to describe a Financial Planner working independently for their clients rather than representing a single insurer or product provider. This means that as an Independent Financial Planner NBL will consider a full range of products from the entire market, rather than a pre-selected set of initiatives.
By being independent we can provide unbiased research.
YOU ARE CONTACTABLE, RIGHT?
Of course, you can contact us. Head to our contact page for details of how to get in touch. We are always around and on hand. If for some reason there is nobody in the office, please use the enquiry form – we do get the email derived from the form, and will reply to the submission.
DOES NBL HOLD ONTO MY MONEY?
No. NBL never holds onto client money. All money is held by authorised investment companies, pension companies or insurance companies. All NBL products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
ARE YOU REGISTERED WITH THE FCA?
Yes, we are authorised to provide financial advice and products by the FCA. Our FCA Number is 223936 – you can find us via the FCA register.
CAN I MEET NBL FACE-TO-FACE?
Of course. We would be delighted to meet with you face-to-face if that is your preference.
IS THERE A TYPICAL NBL CLIENT?
No, not really. We work with a range of different clients. From those in their early twenties who are looking to plan for their long-term happiness to those in retirement looking for help organising their estate. We also work with wealthy clients as well as those of much more modest means. There really is no typical client.
WHERE ARE YOU CLIENTS BASED?
NBL is based in Kent. Most of our clients are based in the South of England, but we do have clients throughout the UK. We use virtual meeting technology and have clients from around Europe and the rest of the world.
WHAT TYPE OF INFORMATION DO YOU NEED?
Information is required regarding investments held, number of dependents, income and expenditure details, savings and financial planning needs, etc. The more accurate information you give, the better the quality of advice given.
PLANNING & FEES
WHAT IS YOUR MINIMUM PORTFOLIO SIZE?
There is no minimum portfolio size. We do have minimum defined fee levels for each of our services. NBL will tell you if we believe that our minimum fee is too high to provide you with good value. It is a balance between the possible or expected performance of the service and the defined fee cost.
IF I HIRE NBL TO MANAGE MY FINANCES DO I HAVE TO SIGN A LONG-TERM CONTRACT?
No, any agreement can be cancelled with immediate effect on receipt of your written instruction. Contracts typically run in three month quarters of the year. This is the shortest period whereby we can monitor and judge performance. Total length of any contract would be three months. We will undertake all administration necessary for the expedient transfer of the assets.
WHAT IS THE COST OF YOUR SERVICES?
We deliver our services according to a fair and clear fee table. We believe it is important there are no hidden costs associated with our services. Fee rates are standardised, and do not take into account the clients assets. If client requests fall outside of our fee structure, we will discuss an appropriate fee.
DO YOU CHARGE ENTRY OR EXIT FEES?
In nearly all cases we do not charge any entry or exit fees for services. We prefer loyalty, rather than penalisation.
DOES NBL HOLD ONTO MY MONEY?
No. NBL never holds onto client money. All money is held by authorised investment companies, pension companies or insurance companies. All NBL products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
DO YOU CHARGE ANNUAL FEES?
Service fees are accrued. These are on a three-month, half-yearly or yearly schedule. The frequency is discussed and set at the initial meeting. The structure can be amended.
We will not apply fees to investment transactions when implementing recommended portfolio changes. It is considered that the cost of advising on and implementing such changes is covered by the service fee.
If the service is for investing, a percentage of funds invested is charged, but tapered to reduce the fee as the portfolio grows.
WHAT DOES A FINANCIAL PLAN LOOK LIKE?
Financial planning is designed to cover all of your financial needs. Financial Planning covers your complete financial situation and highlights the essential steps required to achieve your goals.
WHAT IS COVERED IN A FINANCIAL PLAN?
Every financial plan is unique and created around your needs and goals. Typically, we focus on your most pressing and important needs first. In terms of the scope of what is covered, the plan covers a number of key areas:
Goal Planning
Financial Forecasting
Disaster Planning
Financial Organisation & Budgeting
Emergency Fund
Financial Protection
Tax Planning
Saving & Investment Planning
Property Planning
Retirement Planning
Debt Management
Estate Planning
Family Financial Planning
WHY IS A PLAN BENEFICIAL?
People with a plan are much more likely to achieve their objectives. The plan helps people focus on the tasks required to achieve the objective and to identify the obstacles that need to be overcome.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD THE FINANCIAL PLAN NEED TO BE REVIEWED/UPDATED?
The plan should be reviewed half-yearly or yearly. If circumstances change, the plan will be reviewed and amended according to the situation and requests.
I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED ON WHAT MY OBJECTIVES AND GOALS SHOULD BE – CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS?
This is fairly common. Its is sometimes not easy to solidify goals. NBL can help with removing the fog, focusing on the requirements of what you can achieve and how NBL can help.
GENERAL SERVICE FAQs
IS IT EASY TO GAIN ACCESS TO MY MONEY IF I NEED IT?
Yes, you can request access to your money at any point, and upon receiving your request, NBL will discuss the most tax-efficient way to withdraw your funds.
If the assets are required urgently we will discuss the best route for achieving your instruction.
I HAVE EXISTING INVESTMENTS, PENSIONS, ASSETS THAT NEED TO BE REVIEWED. CAN YOU HELP ME?
Yes, as part of our investment, retirement and/or estate planning services, we can review and understand your situation and needs.
DO I HAVE TO USE ALL YOUR SERVICES?
No. You can pick and mix. From an initial meeting, the focus will be narrowed to which services you need.
CAN I EASILY INCREASE OR REDUCE MY CONTRIBUTIONS?
Yes, of course. We can start, stop, increase or reduce your contributions. Just let us know what you want to do and why. You can also add one-off payments into the account.
WHAT ABOUT TAXES?
It is important that financial plans are tax efficient. Your financial plan should help you in minimising your tax liability and reducing your after-tax returns from your investments.
WHAT IS A FIDUCIARY?
A fiduciary is generally defined as an individual or entity that can act on behalf of another person or persons to serve their best interest; holds themselves to be an expert, by education and experience, in a particular field of study or specialty; is obligated under the law to serve the best interest of their clients (beneficiaries) and to avoid conflicts of interest; no one is held to a higher standard of care under the law than a fiduciary.
WHAT IS ASSET ALLOCATION?
Asset allocation refers to the diversity of your entire savings and investment portfolio across asset classes. Stocks, bonds, cash, and real estate, are examples of asset classes.
WHAT IS DIVERSIFICATION IN INVESTING?
Diversification is a strategy that reduces portfolio risk by allocating investments across a range of assets in order to maximise returns while reducing investment risk.
WHAT IS RISK TOLERANCE?
Risk tolerance is a measure of the degree of uncertainty that an investor is willing to accept with respect to his or her investment strategy.
WHAT IS ETHICAL INVESTING?
Types of funds or companies that scores high on their ethical nature. Whether this is through sustainable, green, management or other identifying aspects. Please see our dedicated ethical investing page.
INVESTING SERVICE
CAN YOU REVIEW MY EXISTING INVESTMENTS?
Certainty. NBL are able to review your existing investments and see if they are still suitable for you. Typical investments we review include stock market investments, ISA, Unit Trusts, pensions and Investment Bonds. Once we understand your personal circumstances and objectives, we’ll assess your risk profile and design a portfolio and plan that can meet your objectives.
RETIREMENT PLANNING SERVICE
CAN YOU REVIEW MY EXISTING PENSIONS?
Yes, absolutely. We conduct pension reviews for our clients and often find people are invested in over-charging, poorly performing pensions. We can help you get more from your pensions by conducting a thorough review to detail exactly what you have, what you are being charged, what sort of returns you have been getting and what level of risk you are taking. In many cases we can recommend a much better pension in which to invest.
DO I NEED A WILL?
For most people, writing a will is extremely important. If you die without making a will, you cannot control who will inherit your assets after your death. Should you die ‘intestate’ (in other words, without writing a will), your assets will be distributed according to intestacy law and this may be inconsistent with your personal wishes. By making a will you can determine precisely who inherits your assets.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY FAMILY ARE LOOKED AFTER IF I DIE SUDDENLY. CAN YOU HELP?
Yes we can help. There a number of different ways you can achieve this. We will work with you to establish the best way for you.
CAN I START A PENSION?
Almost everyone can start a pension. There are lots of advantages to having a pension, but the type that is most suitable for you depends on your objectives and circumstances. We can help you identify the features you need and set this up to make sure you have your ideal pension.
CAN I CONSOLIDATE MY PENSIONS TO ONE SINGLE PROVIDER?
Yes. One of the things we consider when reviewing pensions is the benefit of consolidation. Bringing all your pensions under one roof can make administration simpler and mean you have less paperwork to contend with. We always conduct a detailed analysis of your pensions and will only recommend you consolidate them where this is clearly in your best interest.
OTHER THAN A PENSION, WHAT ELSE COULD I USE TO PROVIDE FOR MY RETIREMENT?
Pensions are a great way to save for retirement because of the tax benefits they provide, but there are other ways. This may be by using ISAs or other forms of investment or by using a property investment such as a buy-to-let. You may be expecting an inheritance or maybe you will continue doing some work in your latter years.
HOW CAN I USE THE MONEY IN MY PENSION?
When you come to draw your pension, you will usually be entitled to take a quarter of it tax-free, whether as a lump sum or as a quarter of each withdrawal. You may purchase an annuity to provide a regular income for life with the remainder of your pension. Alternatively, you are free to draw any amount at any time from your pension as long as you pay the required income tax. We can help you by putting the best strategy in place to ensure you get the income you need and the certainty you will depend on.
I’M WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF LONG-TERM CARE SHOULD I NEED THIS. CAN YOU HELP ME PLAN FOR THIS?
Yes, NBL can. Long-term care insurance provides the financial support you need if you have to pay for care assistance for yourself or a family member. This insurance can cover the cost of assistance for those who need help to perform the basic activities of daily life such as getting out of bed, dressing or washing in your own home or in residential care. There are different types of long-term care insurance products available and each must be considered carefully to ensure it fits with your specific needs.
ESTATE PLANNING SERVICE
CAN YOU SOURCE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FROM THE WHOLE MARKET?
Yes. We work on an independent basis so can source the best insurance and protection products from the whole of the market. We are not limited or tied to any companies so we can always get your the very best deal.
I’VE JUST BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE WITH A MORTGAGE. CAN I PROTECT MY INCOME IN CASE I LOSE MY JOB?
Yes you can. We can help you get the best type of income protection. This will help protect you from the implications of losing your income.
I’M WORRIED THERE WILL BE A BIG INHERITANCE TAX BILL WHEN I DIE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO NOW TO PLAN FOR THIS?
Yes there are lots of things you can do. Some of these are very straightforward but can save a lot of Inheritance Tax. We can tailor a strategy to your specific objectives.
OTHER SERVICES
WHAT IS A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY AND DO I NEED ONE?
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if, for example, you have an accident or an illness and can’t make decisions at the time they need to be made (you ‘lack mental capacity’). Most people should have an LPA.
CAN YOU HELP A BUSINESS WITH AUTOMATIC PENSION ENROLMENT?
Yes. NBL have a range of solutions to help you meet both your initial and ongoing obligations.
CAN YOU DO MY COMPANY ACCOUNTS?
No, we are not accountants.
CAN I PROTECT MY BUSINESS FROM LOSING ONE OF MY KEY EMPLOYEES?
Yes we can help you with this. If a key member of staff were to be off sick for a long period or to die suddenly, your business is likely to suffer. We can help you put the proper protection planning in place.
MY BUSINESS IS LOOKING TO INVEST SOME MONEY. CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS?
Yes we can. We have a range of solutions that may be suitable.
CAN YOU SET UP A PENSION SCHEME FOR THE COMPANY DIRECTORS?
Yes, we can design a pension solution that specifically meets the needs of your company directors.
CAN YOU SET-UP PERSONAL PROTECTION POLICIES THROUGH MY COMPANY?
Yes you can. This is personal life cover that is an allowable business expense. We can help you with this.
I’M INTERESTED IN DIRECTOR SHARE PROTECTION OR PARTNERSHIP PROTECTION. CAN YOU HELP?
Yes we can. We would be delighted to discuss your requirements so please contact us. We can help put together the best strategy to achieve your objectives in the most tax efficient manner.
I’M INTERESTED IN PROVIDING MY STAFF WITH SOME ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. CAN YOU HELP?
Yes. NBL can help design a suite of benefits to help you retain and motivate your staff in a way that really works for your business.
I WANT TO PUT IN PLACE A PROPER PLAN FOR MY EXIT FROM THE BUSINESS. CAN YOU HELP?
Proper planning is the key to achieving this in the way that is best for you. You want to maximise value and minimise tax. We can help you put this plan in place.
OTHER FAQS
CAN YOU HELP IF I ALREADY HAVE A FINANCIAL ADVISER/PLANNER?
Yes, we can. We would be delighted to talk to you to see if the service and solutions we can offer are more closely aligned to your objectives. Please use the contact us page to get in touch.
HOW DO I CHECK MY NBL ACCOUNT?
You can use the client portal to view and review investments, pensions and other analytics. The client portal is available as a website for desktop, tablet and mobile. We also have an app available from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. This will give you an up-to-date valuation of the services, as well as providing a breakdown of what you are investing in. If you need any more detailed information, we are available via email, phone or a virtual meeting.
HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT TO NBL?
Please get in touch with us – via email or phone call. You complaint will be thoroughly administered in the utmost privacy. We do not like having unhappy clients.
HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST NBL?
Firstly, please make the complaint out to ourselves. If we do not complete the complaints process to your satisfaction, please contact the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to register a complaint.
DOES NBL INVEST THEIR OWN MONEY IN THE SAME WAY AS YOU INVEST YOUR CLIENTS’ MONEY?
You can manage your own investments without any help from NBL. Some of our clients have a great knowledge of investing and are confident to mange their own money. We may help them with financial planning but they choose to invest their money themselves. But, for the majority of our clients, they see the value in our investment management services. They know that they will be getting an investment portfolio that has been expertly crafted and is tailored to their specific needs. NBL have numerous professional investment qualifications and many years of successful investment experience.
ARE MY PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL DETAILS PROTECTED?
Yes. We use 128-bit secure socket layer (SSL) to protect all digital or server held information. This is a high-level encryption and security level – the same as most online banking systems.
GLOSSARY
ACTIVE FUND
A portfolio of investments that is selected by a professional investment manager and managed on an ongoing basis with the aim of achieving a performance objective.
ABSOLUTE RETURN FUNDS
Absolute return funds are a form of alternative asset. They actively adjust their positions between equities, bonds, gold and other asset classes, typically with the aim of providing investment return across all market conditions.
BONDS
Bonds are debt securities issued by governments and corporations to raise money. Similar to an IOU, the investor lends money with the agreement that it will be paid back by a specific date, and they will receive periodic interest payments along the way. Bonds come under the umbrella of ‘fixed income’ investments.
DEFENSIVE
Defensive positions prioritise preserving capital over growth. It is important to hold such positions in periods of market turbulence.
DELISTING
When a stock exchange removes a company’s shares, making them no longer publicly traded.
DIVERSIFICATION
Spreading your money across different types of investments, such as equities, bonds, and property, instead of putting all your money in just one type of investment. By doing this, you can reduce the overall risk of your investment portfolio.
DOVISH
A supportive and accommodative approach to monetary policy, favouring measures like lower interest rates and stimulus to encourage economic growth.
DURATION
The sensitivity of the price of a bond to changes in interest rates. A bond with a longer duration will typically be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than a bond with a shorter duration.
EARNINGS SEASON
The period during which publicly traded companies release their quarterly financial results to the public.
EARNINGS SESSION
The length of time when publicly traded companies announce their financial performance, usually on a quarterly basis, influencing market activity and stock prices.
FIXED INCOME
Investments that provide regular, set interest payments, such as bonds or treasury bills, and return the principal at maturity.
GIFT
A type of fixed income investment issued by the UK government. They are considered to be among the safest investments available. They have a fixed interest rate and a specific maturity date, which can range from a few months to several decades.
GLOBAL INDEX FUND
Investment fund that aims to replicate the performance of a broad international market index. This fund typically invests in a diversified portfolio of securities from various countries./span>
GROWTH FUND
Investing in companies that are expected to offer future growth prospects that are above the average in their industry or sector.
GROWTH VS VALUE
Most stocks are classified as either value stocks or growth stocks. Generally speaking, a value stock trades for a cheaper price than its financial performance and fundamentals suggest it’s worth. A growth stock is a company which comes at a higher price however, its profits are expected to grow significantly in the coming years as the company develops – this is typical for technology firms.
INDEX FUND
Fund that aims to track the performance of a market index.
INDEX / INDICES
A benchmark that tracks the performance of a specific group of assets, such as stocks or bonds.
INDEX LINKED BOND
A type of government issued bond which has its interest payments and principal value tied to inflation.
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Group of high-performing companies in the US stock market: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Tesla.
MARKET CAPITALISATION / MEGA-CAPS
Market ‘cap’ is the market value of a company based on its current share price and total number of shares. Ultra-large cap companies have the largest market capitalisation. The largest companies by market cap are currently Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Nvidia and Meta (Facebook).
MARKET SENTIMENT
The attitude or outlook of investors towards a particular security, sector of the market or economy as a whole.
MATURITY
The length of time until the bond issuer must repay the original bond value to the investor.
PUT OPTIONS
A form of downside protection. They provide an investor with the ‘option’ to benefit should an asset fall.
QUALITY
Considered to be financially stable, profitable, and well-managed.
RALLY
A sustained and widespread increase in the prices of financial assets, driven by optimistic investor sentiment, positive economic indicators, or favourable corporate earnings.
SELLING OFF
A sell-off is when holders of an asset collectively sell their holdings at the same time, in quick succession. The consequence is a large reduction in price.
SENTIMENT
Market sentiment is the overarching attitude or outlook of investors towards a particular security, sector of the market or economy as a whole.
SOFT VS HARD LANDING
A soft landing refers to a gradual economic slowdown or adjustment, usually avoiding a recession, while a hard landing is a sudden and severe economic downturn often leading to a recession.
STRATEGIC BOND FUND
Adjusted portfolio of fixed-income securities, including government bonds, to optimise returns in response to changing market conditions.
ULTRA LARGE GAP
Market capitalisation – cap – is the market value of a company based on its current share price and total number of shares. Ultra-large cap companies have the largest market capitalisation. The largest companies by market cap are currently the Magnificent Seven (Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Tesla).
VALUE-TRAP
An investment that is currently selling at depressed or cheaper prices but is often cheap for a reason due to intrinsic issues.
VOLATILITY
Volatility refers to the degree of fluctuation in a security’s price or a market’s performance over time. A highly volatile share experiences larger price changes compared to more stable investments, indicating higher risk.
YIELD
The income you receive on an investment, such as dividends from shares or interest from bonds.
YIELD CURVE
A visual depiction of how the yields of bonds vary at different maturities. It shows how much you’d earn if you invested your money for a short time, e.g. six months, versus if you invested it for a longer time, e.g. 10 years.