Below are direct links to Fund Management Institutions you may find of use.

These links have been provided for easy access purposes only. BGFS Associates may not be held responsible for any inaccuracies, privacy or software issues that develop as a result of visiting individual web sites. Prior to visiting these websites adequate computer protection software should be installed.

There are many different types of cover, assurance and protection plans available and the different options and terms can be a bit overwhelming!

To find our more about different options please read through the various tabs explaining what types of insurance you can take for different outcomes and then complete our Interest Form for more information.

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Personal Interest Form

If you complete this interest form regarding life cover and protection we will be able to send you more information on your options or arrange a meeting to discuss the policies in person.

For more information on the different types of insurance cover we offer, please complete the following form.

Contact Form

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Many major banks have international banking facilities available via branches located in the highly regulated areas of the “Isle of Man”, “Jersey” and “Guernsey”. Benefits provided by these islands are: Investor Security, Client Confidentiality, and Tax Freedom.

Your personal requirements

BGFS Associates can recommend a bank suitable to individual needs. Such requirements may include; the need to set up an offshore current account with comprehensive on-line facilities’ or, to achieve a higher interest rate on deposit savings, paid free of tax.

Those locations do not levy income or capital gains tax on investments owned by non-residents. The Islands also offer investor’s a level of financial protection equal to that offered by the UK.

Tax freedom, Investor Protection and Client Confidentiality are good reasons why substantial wealth is attracted to the many internationally well-known investment companies domiciled there.

Professional advice should be obtained to ensure the best course of action is taken according to individual circumstances.

“A pension?  I’m only 30 – I’ve got another 35 years before I need to worry about that!”

“A pension?  I’m only 35 – I’ve got another 30 years before I need to worry about that!”

“A pension?  I’m only 45 – I’ve got another 20 years before I need to worry about that!”

“A pension?  I’m only 55 – I’ve got another 10 years before I need to worry about that!”

Then sadly later say;

“I always meant to start putting money into a pension – but I never seemed to get the time to sort it out. We’ll just have to tighten out belts and cut back on what we spend.”

What could you cut back on? Would you really want to?

During working years a day could be split into thirds. We spend 8 hours at work and 8 hours sleeping, leaving 8 hours for leisure activities. In retirement this changes dramatically. There’s now another 8 hours available for leisure.

Could you cope now with having to sell the family car, downgrade or not take holidays, reduce outdoor activities including dining out?

Retirement age will only be reached once, therefore it is essential that all action possible is taken to ensure that sufficient income is available.

Consider this. 15 years remaining until retirement leaves only 180 monthly paydays remaining.
It’s important to take effective advice regarding what will be “the longest holiday of your life” .

Where would you rather place your money?

Investment Vehicle A

• Interest paid at less than the rate of inflation
• Taxed on interest
• Compulsory disclosure
• Low level of protection in the event of the failure of investment institution
• Fixed area of investment
• Access available

Investment Vehicle B

• History of investment growth which exceeds the rate of inflation
• Access to hundreds of well known and established investment funds world-wide
• Tax-free growth
• Confidential investment
• Investment regulated by the investment authorities of the “Isle of Man” or “UK Channel Isles”
• Free investment fund switching facility.
• Access available

Many people would choose investment vehicle B. In reality though, millions of people are (often unknowingly) in investment vehicle A.

Investment vehicle A is a typical bank deposit account.

Investment vehicle B outlines some of the benefits available when investing into an approved offshore investment account

More and more people are now taking the opportunity to invest safely offshore using one or a number of well known investment institutions and fund management groups such as;

	Hansard International	Zurich International
	Royal Skandia	Friends Provident
	Generali International	Framlington
	Anglo Irish Bank	Barclays
Jardine Fleming	Franklin	Templeton
New Star	Fidelity	Merryl Lynch
Perpetual	Gartmore Investec	Dresdner
Forsyth	Scottish Life	JP Morgan
Brandeaux	Morgan Stanley	Forsyth Partners

The rule of 72

If you take the rate of inflation and divide it into the number 72 the answer will be the number of years it takes for money to devalue by 50%.

“Real Growth” needs to be achieved on invested money (growth in excess of the rate of inflation), in order for future-buying power to be preserved.

If you would like to know more regarding offshore lump sum investment please contact us

Many expatriates find the opportunity to invest surplus income to develop a large amount of tax-free capital highly attractive.

There are a many institutional insurance and investment companies that provide regular savings products tailored to expatriate needs.

Investment into regular savings programs is a subject that should be discussed with an experienced and qualified financial adviser. Regular savings products are not all the same. One product may offer features and benefits suitable to the long-term investor, yet will not be suitable to the short-term investor and vice versa.

Nothing is forever, so flexibility is the key!

Below are questions to consider and discuss with your adviser.

How long will I be overseas?

Will I be able to maintain contributions if I repatriate?

Would an investment that allows the flexibility to adjust the amount of contributions be advantageous?

Over what term will I need to hold my investment before it can be realised?

Will I require full, partial or staged access to my money?

Following discussion BGFS Associates will provide a recommendation of what is believed a suitable savings vehicle aimed at matching individual requirements..

But, without the benefit of existing wealth it is essential for proper planning to be carried out as early as possible, to ensure that costs can be met.
The cost of providing a university education has spiralled over recent years. In the last five years alone costs have virtually doubled, rising to almost £20,000 per student.  When accommodation, food, travel and general living expenses are taken into account the cost of education could well be in excess of £25,000. These expenses are currently increasing at a faster pace than the rate of inflation.

What can be done?

Take early action

Many types of investment are available which are suitable to address education planning; staged payments can be made available to cover annual fees. Both regular as well as single lump sum investments may be made. There are also options to invest “ad hoc” amounts, as and when available.

BGFS Associates can provide skilled advice regarding education planning. If you would like to discuss your requirements Contact us

We are very aware that the level of ongoing service provided to clients is the main reason why we are recommended to others

If a client is not provided with their required level of service they very soon become an easy prospect for our opposition. Customer service is an area frequently undervalued by many companies. Many organisations are so busy chasing new accounts or customers, that they fail to deliver service to their existing clients. The promise of after service may have been a key factor in a client’s decision to conduct business with a company.

A car salesman is “always available” when you’re a buyer, however, often unobtainable once you have bought. Remember all those phone calls!

Would you buy your next car from the same showroom if you had other choices?
Would you refer the car showroom to others?

First meeting
Second meeting
Third meeting
Document delivery
After service

First meeting

This is usually held at the (potential) clients’ office, or perhaps a location allowing a relaxed conversation to take place, such as their home or a hotel lounge area. This meeting would usually take around 30/45 minutes. If previously arranged, the first meeting may be extended to include what would ordinarily be covered in a second meeting.

Information will have been provided prior to the first meeting, so that would-be clients have a good feel for what we do as a company, and what will happen at meetings with an adviser. Apart from making a personal introduction and outlining financial services experience the BGFS adviser will provide an in-depth view of the company, including its history, investor security, and how we can be of benefit to expatriates. Having received an amount of information prior to this meeting, people often attend with an area of financial planning already in mind.
At the conclusion of this meeting, provided need areas have been identified, supported by a willingness to address them, a second meeting is scheduled.

Second Meeting

The second meeting is important though straight-forward, in that it involves completion of a personal fact-find. It is suggested that, if a partner or spouse is to be involved in the decision process, then it could be beneficial if they were present at this and future meetings up to the application stage. This action may be viewed as important should advice involve espousal or family protection. Having all interested parties present could avoid confusion at a later stage. For example, in the event of a death claim.

Depending on the complexity of the situation, fact-find meetings generally take around one hour. The main areas covered during the meeting are as follows:

Fact-find content

• Personal circumstances
• Existing arrangements
• Needs and wants
• Time frames involved
• Risk v reward profile
• Investment areas
• Available funds/budget

Great effort goes into the preparation of a suitable recommendation for a client. Once need areas are identified, funds/budget are confirmed, and then the recommendation is prepared and delivered.

At the conclusion of the second meeting provided parties present are of the opinion that progress can be made, work starts regarding the preparation of a suitable recommendation.

Once prepared, the recommendation is delivered by email together with all supportive materials (brochure, key features, fund info, technical info). Any questions can be added under the relevant sections and emailed back to the adviser. Once all questions have been satisfactorily addressed and a wish to progress the matter is indicated then a third meeting is arranged.

Third meeting

The third meeting is usually where any final non-major questions (perhaps administration) are answered. Necessary paperwork in completed in order that an acceptable application can be submitted to the relevant investment/protection provider.

Applications must be supported by proof of the applicant’s residential address and identity. Suitable proof of residency may be a copy of a residency permit, utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement showing the address of the applicant. For proof of identity a copy of the main (photo) page of the applicant’s passport is acceptable.

Document delivery

Following the issue and subsequent delivery of relevant documentation by the product provider to BGFS Associates, the documents will be checked for accuracy. Assuming all is in order an appointment is arranged for the BGFS adviser to deliver them to the client. Documents are delivered by hand in order that they are fully understood and to confirm the printed details with the client. If not previously covered this meeting is an ideal time to explain administrative requirements related to such matters as future withdrawals, changes to personal circumstances, or perhaps even a claim on a policy.

Another subject covered at this meeting is the client’s future service level requirements.

After service

BGFS believes that, where geographically possible, a meeting should take place between the  client and their adviser at least six monthly. This gives the client the opportunity to let their adviser know of any changes to their circumstances (current or pending), which may impact on advice already in place. Such information would allow the client to receive advice on the most suitable course of action to protect or maximise existing benefits.

Where clients are investing into stock market related investments the meeting is a great opportunity to discuss progress, and if believed appropriate, make changes regarding investment areas previously selected. In some cases clients may prefer to be seen on a quarterly basis.

Each week all clients will be sent “Market Update” information via email. The purpose of this information is to help clients keep abreast of what’s happening in world stock markets.

Quarterly valuation statements are sent to clients regarding their investments. These may be issued monthly by arrangement.

Should a client require advice or information regarding their current investments/policies, or help with another matter, they can contact the company either by telephone during the hours 9am and 6pm weekdays or via email. Emails received during business hours Monday to Friday will be replied to as soon as possible, or within 24 hours.

BGFS Associates is committed to acquiring clients through referrals and recommendation. It is gratifying to note that over 90% of the firms new business is generated in this way.

No Cold Calling! Why?

1. It’s unprofessional

Have you ever received a cold call from a doctor, a medical specialist, solicitor, bank manager, accountant, surveyor, architect – or anyone else who is good at what they do?
You may however on a number of occasions have been pleased to made a recommendation as a result of receiving good service provided.

2. It’s intrusive

Businesspeople – especially those with enough importance and authority to wind up on prospect lists – are extremely busy, and the last thing they look forward to is ten cold calls interrupting an already stressful day. Cold calls are viewed as intrusive, a burden on their time, an annoyance, and an unwelcome distraction from important work. Being viewed as a burden is not the way to business success.

Financial adviser or telephone canvasser

The ability to provide added value to our existing clients is extremely important and something that is promised at our first meeting. The delivery of a promised level of service is paramount. Cold callers spend so much time making unsolicited calls that they have very little time left to provide service. Most cold callers spend long hours on the telephone (perhaps over 80%).
Most investors will prefer to have the service of an adviser who can commit the majority of time addressing client needs, rather than devoting most of the day to cold calling.

It’s great to receive referrals and recommendations

BGFS Associates take great pride in knowing that clients are sufficiently happy with the quality of advice and ongoing service they receive that they are moved to recommend us to others. It’s worth considering that referrals are usually business colleagues, associates, family members and friends. Much thought will have been given as to whether the referral should be provided.

We consider referrals to be a reward for a job well done.

Bill Gleave Managing Director
BGFS Associates Ltd