\n<\/p>\n
What caught my attention this week?<\/em><\/p>\n C<\/span>Considering the huge hurdles politicians and business leaders have set up to treat something as a dismissive offence, I was surprised to see the boss of National Savings & Investments (NS&I) resign this week.<\/p>\n Of course, ns&i fubar<\/a> It was a difficult experience for the 37,500 people affected. NS&I’s mistakes caused bereaved families to face delays in accessing their relatives’ premium bonds totaling up to \u00a3476 million.<\/p>\n To give just one example from A BBC report<\/a>: :<\/p>\n Tracey McGuire-Brown from Newbury in Berkshire (…)<\/em> It took six years to claim \u00a32,000 in premium bonds left in the will by his late father.<\/p>\n The 61-year-old former care home manager says “Can’t describe how disturbing and disappointing this is.”<\/em> This had to be dealt with by NS&I, and he had to send his father’s will and other original documents at his own expense.<\/p>\n “It was the most horrible, horrible experience,”<\/em> She says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n No doubt about it \u2013 and it’s not something anyone wants to deal with after the death of a loved one.<\/p>\n However, NS&I has more than 24 million customers with \u00a3240 billion held by the institution, so the number of those affected is relatively small. according to Who<\/em><\/a> The problems arose because of administrative failures \u2013 bad, certainly, but not malicious. The long delay between issues emerging and NS&I being cleared is problematic, but again the scale of the operation mitigates this somewhat.<\/p>\n All that said \u2013 and, again, not to make light of the struggle to get your money back \u2013 I think the real reason boss Dax Harkins was let go was that NS&I is held to a higher standard than a typical high street bank by virtue of 100% government backing.<\/p>\n I often recommend its savings or premium bonds to friends and relatives who are looking for somewhere safe to keep their cash \u2013 but are essentially financially indifferent. Especially after the financial crisis.<\/p>\n There’s no worry about running up the bank with NS&I, or Financial Services Compensation Scheme limits, or your savings somehow getting entangled in risky borrowing. Just right interest rates, unlimited chances to win big Ernie<\/a>And in the spirit of not firing anyone, a recommendation was made to buy ibm<\/a>.<\/p>\n Furthermore, confidence in NS&I’s system underpins the premium bond draw.<\/p>\n There are already conspiracies afoot about which Bond wins and who gets what prize. NS&I can operate without inefficiencies in the mix.<\/p>\n Have a great weekend.<\/p>\n Commodities are working – Monevator<\/p>\n The wheels of the natural yield model portfolio are turning – Monevator (member)<\/em><\/p>\n From Archiv-ator: A plan to become financially independent in ten years – Monetator<\/p>\n OECD says Britain will suffer the most from Iran war, inflation will be 4% – cnbc<\/a><\/p>\n BlackRock boss says the world is facing a ‘severe and deep recession’ – this is money<\/a><\/p>\n There could be temporary petrol shortages at some pumps, Asda warns – Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n How do Trump and oil prices go together? (chart)<\/em> \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n Reminder: State pension age increases in April – Who<\/a><\/p>\n The UK is the most affordable house to buy since 2015, based on prices-to-earnings… – ons<\/a><\/p>\n …as London house prices fall again… – city \u200b\u200bam<\/a><\/p>\n …but rents are at an all-time high relative to incomes – Sky<\/a><\/p>\n Names of final candidates for seven new cities – BBC<\/a><\/p>\n SpaceX’s proposed IPO valuation is in second class – sherwood<\/a><\/p>\n Government defends landlord tax increase as ‘fair’ system – property 118<\/a><\/p>\n FCA launches later life mortgage (aka equity release)<\/em> Study – mortgage strategy<\/a><\/p>\n Who ate all China’s stock market returns? (paywall)<\/em> \u2013 foot<\/a><\/p>\n Disclosure: Links on the Platform may be affiliate links, where we may earn commission. This article is not personal financial advice. When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invested. Other fees may also apply with commission-free brokers. View terms and fees. Past performance does not guarantee future results.<\/sup><\/p>\n Savings accounts that will pay you up to 5% – Who<\/a><\/p>\n How to swap homes for your holidays – Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Don’t rely on AI to find the best savings deals – Who<\/a><\/p>\n Get up to \u00a33,000 cashback when you open or switch to an Interactive Investor SIPP. Terms and fees apply, Affiliate Links – Interactive Investor<\/p>\n HSBC, Barclays, Nationwide and Halifax raise mortgage costs – yahoo finance<\/a><\/p>\n Five-year mortgages are now cheaper than two-year loans – mortgage strategy<\/a><\/p>\n Fixed rate mortgages go above 5.5%, but 4% trackers available – this is money<\/a><\/p>\n Get up to \u00a31,500 cashback when you transfer your cash and\/or investments to Charles Stanley Direct via this affiliate link. Terms apply – Charles Stanley<\/p>\n NatWest Switch Offer: \u00a3150, or \u00a3250 for Premier Account – Be smart with your cash<\/a><\/p>\n What are passkeys and why should you use them for security? \u2013 uninformed investors<\/a><\/p>\n The best and worst family deals at major UK attractions – Be smart with your cash<\/a><\/p>\n Loft-style apartments for sale, in photos – Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Can the triple-lock be abolished, and should it be? \u2013 this is money<\/a><\/p>\n Index funds work by- money changes everything<\/a><\/p>\n Echoes of history: What the oil shock means for your money (paywall)<\/em> \u2013 foot<\/a><\/p>\n Seven lessons from ‘Enough Influencer’ about living a simple, happy life – Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Yes, you can beat the market by avoiding its bad days. But you won’t do that – morningstar<\/a><\/p>\n Why are young people taking so many foolish financial risks? – Bloomberg consultant perspective<\/a><\/p>\n Safe till the crisis: What 300 years of wars reveal about government debt – CEPR<\/a><\/p>\n Your financial past is not true. Nor is your future – The Net Worthwhile Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n The quiet changes that separate investors from managers – Bogumil Baranovsky<\/a><\/p>\n How to make a good comparison – mr stingy<\/a><\/p>\n Trouble managing money for a friend or relative – Financial Samurai<\/a><\/p>\n Hendrik Bessembinder has updated his impressive stock return study (Research)<\/em> \u2013 ssrn<\/a><\/p>\n The big problem with UK investment trusts – city \u200b\u200bam<\/a><\/p>\n VCT set for record season after ‘bonkers’ tax relief cuts – this is money<\/a><\/p>\n Reality of setting up as a solo investment advisor – flyover stocks<\/a><\/p>\n Ex-US market prices seem to be a good bet for investors… – blessing<\/a><\/p>\n …as Verdad founder Dan Rasmussen warns on private equity and more – arena<\/a><\/p>\n In Elon Musk’s mind, SpaceX and Tesla have already merged – sherwood<\/a><\/p>\n Tetra Pak: the shape of innovation – quarter<\/a><\/p>\n end of reality<\/em> By Jonathan Taplin – \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n boomerang<\/em> By Michael Lewis – \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n money man<\/em> By Dan McCrum – \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n economica<\/em> By Victoria Bateman – \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n Or choose one of the great investing classics of all time \u2013 Monevator<\/em> Shop<\/p>\n Britain sets a new record for wind energy production – RE News<\/a><\/p>\n Inquiries about green energy rise as households fear price rises – this is money<\/a><\/p>\n Plug-in solar panels will become legal in the UK – Who<\/a><\/p>\n Evan Davis: Heat pumps work for me – BBC<\/a><\/p>\n Earth’s climate is becoming increasingly unbalanced – World Meteorological Organization<\/a><\/p>\n Carbon burden of American companies – Clement on investment<\/a><\/p>\n There is an invincible mushroom growing in North American forests – BBC<\/a><\/p>\n for so long, Sora<\/em> \u2013 telescope<\/a><\/p>\n Human musicians are doomed – Clement on investment<\/a><\/p>\n Inside China’s robotics revolution – Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n There will be no permanent underclass – of dollars and data<\/a><\/p>\n The world’s policeman is on target – new York Times<\/a> (h\/t abnormal returns<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n Betrayal in the futures market – Paul Krugman<\/a><\/p>\n Morality is not always a ‘long circle’ – nohpinion<\/a><\/p>\n Democracy watchdog found that Trump is aiming for dictatorship – Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n There is an information void at the heart of the Iran war – bloomberg<\/a><\/p>\n voter fraud fraud – bulwark<\/a><\/p>\n Cheap drones are giving a new shape to the war in the sky – reuters<\/a><\/p>\n Five years of lessons from running a bookstore – ryan holiday<\/a><\/p>\n “I escaped from North Korea with my mother. But…”<\/em> \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n The clock in our genes – Kalpa<\/a><\/p>\n Scientists have identified a speech characteristic that foreshadows cognitive decline – science alert<\/a><\/p>\n Indirect \u2013 and sometimes surprising \u2013 benefits of vaccines state<\/a><\/p>\n Google Search Tips and Hacks – card catalog<\/a><\/p>\n “Humans have an amazing ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal.” Do you like these links? Subscribe to receive them every Saturday. Note that this article contains affiliate links, such as from Amazon<\/a> and interactive investors.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Trust Buster<\/h3>\n
Further reading:<\/h4>\n
\n
from monevator<\/h3>\n
news<\/h3>\n
Products and Services<\/h3>\n
Comments and opinions<\/h3>\n
Naughty corner: active activities<\/h3>\n
kindle book bargains<\/h3>\n
environmental factors<\/h3>\n
Robot Overlord Roundup<\/h3>\n
not at the dinner table<\/h3>\n
out of our heartbeat<\/h3>\n
And finally\u2026<\/h3>\n
-Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n