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Investment FAQ

What Is a Structured Note Investment?

A structured note investment is a fixed term (normally around 4 to 6 years) investment product normally sold by investment banks and is not available on the high street.

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It is made up of two or more derivatives (such as stocks, shares and indexes, eg. the FTSE100) and can pay money during the term while also provides a payment of up to 100% of the original investment at the end of the fixed period.

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The amount of money paid out by a structured note will depend on the conditions offered at the start of the fixed term that are related directly to the lowest performing derivative.

 

During the life of the structured note, there will be regular reviews at which point the performance of each derivative will be reviewed and if the lowest performing derivative is outperforming a specific measure (eg. 5% above the original value) then it will pay out.

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At the end of the fixed term, if the lowest performing derivative is above a conditional marker (for example 80% of the original value) the investor will normally receive the full investment back.

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Due to the complex nature of structured notes, they are normally only available for sophisticated or high-net worth investors, however financial advisers typically fall into one of these categories and therefore can offer them to their clients, providing they fully explain and ensure that the investor fully understands the structured note, including the risks and benefits.

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It is uncommon for an entire investment portfolio to be constructed by structured notes and will normally account for around 10% of a total investment.

What is an Offshore Investment Bond?

An investment platform is an online service that enables individuals to purchase various financial products and can often simplify the process of investing in investment funds.

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Investment platforms can be used by individuals to make investments, but also are often used by wealth managers and financial advisers to ensure that the investments are held in a single place.

The investment platforms are provided by financial organisations and can offer a wide range of investments, although the exact options will depend on the organisation running the platform.

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Within the platform, the investor can choose a range of funds, cash, equities, gilts, structured products and hold them in a suitable “tax wrapper”. Within the platform, an investor is likely to find that the funds and investment options that are available differ from regular retail investment options. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek independent advice before deciding which investments to make, especially if you are inexperienced.

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Investment platforms can also help to reduce the costs of investing, although the platforms themselves will charge administration fees.

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Unfortunately, not all investment platforms are available for expats and non-residents, so you should always do your research before signing up to any platform. This is due to the increased complexity in tax and financial regulations involved when living abroad (for example, some tax wrappers are not taxed efficient in all jurisdictions, while others are not permitted outside of certain jurisdictions).

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Even if you plan to do DIY investing, as an expat it is always sensible to seek financial advice from an independent adviser as they are more likely to be aware of the suitable platforms based on your current and future requirements.

Should I avoid Offshore Investment Bonds?

An investment platform is an online service that enables individuals to purchase various financial products and can often simplify the process of investing in investment funds.

​

Investment platforms can be used by individuals to make investments, but also are often used by wealth managers and financial advisers to ensure that the investments are held in a single place.

The investment platforms are provided by financial organisations and can offer a wide range of investments, although the exact options will depend on the organisation running the platform.

​

Within the platform, the investor can choose a range of funds, cash, equities, gilts, structured products and hold them in a suitable “tax wrapper”. Within the platform, an investor is likely to find that the funds and investment options that are available differ from regular retail investment options. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek independent advice before deciding which investments to make, especially if you are inexperienced.

​

Investment platforms can also help to reduce the costs of investing, although the platforms themselves will charge administration fees.

​

Unfortunately, not all investment platforms are available for expats and non-residents, so you should always do your research before signing up to any platform. This is due to the increased complexity in tax and financial regulations involved when living abroad (for example, some tax wrappers are not taxed efficiently in all jurisdictions, while others are not permitted outside of certain jurisdictions).

​

Even if you plan to do DIY investing, as an expat it is always sensible to seek financial advice from an independent adviser as they are more likely to be aware of the suitable platforms based on your current and future requirements.

What is an Investment Platform?

An investment platform is an online service that enables individuals to purchase various financial products and can often simplify the process of investing in investment funds.

​

Investment platforms can be used by individuals to make investments, but also are often used by wealth managers and financial advisers to ensure that the investments are held in a single place.

The investment platforms are provided by financial organisations and can offer a wide range of investments, although the exact options will depend on organisation running the platform.

​

Within the platform, the investor can choose a range of funds, cash, equities, gilts, structured products and hold them in a suitable “tax wrapper”. Within the platform, an investor is likely to find that the funds and investment options that are available differ from regular retail investment options. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek independent advice before deciding which investments to make, especially if you are inexperienced.

​

Investment platforms can also help to reduce the costs of investing, although the platforms themselves will charge administration fees.

​

Unfortunately, not all investment platforms are available for expats and non-residents, so you should always do your research before signing up to any platforms. This is due to the increased complexity in tax and financial regulations involved when living abroad (for example, some tax wrappers are not tax efficient in all jurisdictions, while others are not permitted outside of certain jurisdictions).

​

Even if you plan to do DIY investing, as an expat it is always sensible to seek financial advice from an independent adviser as they are more likely to be aware of the suitable platforms based on your current and future requirements.

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