Author: Jordan

Ever heard of the American Express Platinum Card®? If so, you probably know that it’s one of the most valuable travel cards out there — but the truth is, it’s not right for everyone.That’s because the card comes with an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), more or less the highest you’ll find. It’s got more than enough benefits to cover that — plus a super valuable welcome offer — but there are some things to consider before you hit that apply button.Here’s what to know before you think about getting the Platinum Card®. 1. It’s got a great…

Foundation has launched a series of limited edition buy-to-let (BTL) products across its F1, HMO and holiday let ranges, following a recent easing in swap rates. The intermediary-only specialist lender said the products were designed to provide brokers with additional competitive options across a range of landlord scenarios. Within its F1 range, which is aimed at landlord borrowers with an almost clean credit history, Foundation has introduced limited edition 2- and 5-year fixed-rate products, priced at 5.59% and 5.99% respectively. Both products come with a flat fee of £3,995. For more specialist property types, the lender has launched a limited…

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›The behind-the-scenes mechanics of a public stock offering reveal the institutional machinery powering modern finance.NYC TodayA company has announced the pricing of a public offering of its common stock, making shares available for purchase by public investors. The offering will provide additional capital for the company’s operations and growth initiatives. Why it matters Public stock offerings are a common way for companies to raise funds from investors to finance their business activities and expansion plans. The pricing and terms of these offerings can impact the company’s valuation and the returns for both new…

As New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s tax-the-rich plans spark backlash among New York’s wealthy, at least one cohort of millionaires is fully supportive of his policies.The members of the “Patriotic Millionaires” group — who include a Disney heiress, an owner of Manhattan’s Flatiron Building and a former BlackRock Inc. managing director — argue that rich residents can afford paying more into city coffers. To them, it’s a small price to pay to preserve New York’s long-term vitality. Abigail Disney Photographer: JP Yim/Getty Images “I’ve gotten tax cut after tax cut after tax cut. And I never needed any of…

①The total balance of personal consumer loans at the six major state-owned banks is approximately RMB 3.33 trillion, representing a net increase of about RMB 556 billion compared to the previous year. Excluding Postal Savings Bank, the growth rate of consumer loans at the five major state-owned banks exceeded 16% last year compared to the previous year. ②Several insiders from state-owned large banks and city commercial banks told reporters that they will closely monitor national policies and make disbursements accordingly. However, regarding the overall growth rate of consumer loans this year, they are “not very optimistic.”According to a report by…

By Richard Searles, Special to the Journal BATON ROUGE — A nearly two-decade-old Louisiana law designed to protect private property rights is now at the center of a widening legislative and legal battle over carbon capture and sequestration projects across the state — a conflict that has split Republicans, drawn rural landowners into court, and produced two consecutive years of contentious legislative activity. Background: A Post-Kelo Property Rights Law At issue is Louisiana Act 851 of the 2006 Regular Session, which significantly narrowed the state’s authority to take private property through eminent domain. The law was passed in the wake…

9:22 AM, 8th April 2026, 5 minutes ago Since late 2023, HMRC has argued that financing the withdrawal of a positive capital account balance prior to incorporation of a business is a notifiable tax avoidance scheme under DOTAS legislation. From our perspective, this makes no sense because that practice is supported by highly regarded industry textbook guidance published by Lexis Nexis, which says as follows … Simon’s Taxes B9:114 – refinancing and ESC D32 considerations If there is a substantial capital account in the unincorporated business, the business owner(s) should be advised to draw this down before incorporation, otherwise that…

TradingKey – Ceasefire agreement drives rebound in gold and silver prices, but silver outperforms gold due to its industrial attributes.On April 8, a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran ignited the precious metals market, sending both gold and silver prices surging to nearly two-week highs. Notably, spot silver prices ( XAGUSD) surged by more than 6%, breaking through the $77 per ounce threshold to reach a high of $77.64, a new high since March 18.Silver price chart, Source: TradingViewMeanwhile, spot gold prices rose by more than 2%, breaking through the $4,800 per ounce barrier to reach a high of…

The number of borrowers moving to a new lender thanks to modified affordability assessments (MAAs) more than doubled in the wake of the FCA’s changes to the regime last summer, Stonebridge analysis shows. Between the introduction of the new rules in July and the end of last year, the number of remortgages arranged with a new lender using MAAs more than doubled, rising 126% year-on-year to 9,664 from 4,275, data from the FCA shows. By comparison, the number of product transfers that used MAAs in the same period barely moved, rising from 269 to 290, while the number…

StreamBank has appointed Paula Purdy as national account director for the North and Gary Lomax as BDM for the North and Scotland. Paula Purdy has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, including 14 years at Shawbrook Bank, and joins from United Trust Bank where she held the role of sales director.  Gary Lomax also joins from United Trust Bank, where he worked as a BDM. He brings extensive experience across bridging and specialist lending, having held a number of roles within the sector.  These appointments follow a series of key hires earlier this year, including Lorenzo…