Kennedy Black Wealth Management - IFA in London

What does AI make of DIY investors?

Posted on March 3, 2023

So while robo-advisers have been around for a while (and, to coin the late, great Ian Taylor, "involve neither robots nor advice"), the more traditional world of real-people financial advice has been making the news recently. First, Vanguard announced that is closing its less-than-two-years-old financial advisory service. It seems their low-cost, low-frills service wasn't generating much traction in the UK - even at an attractive 0.50%...

Is the ‘classic private banking model’ fit for purpose?

Posted on November 4, 2022

in Investments, News, Proper financial planning

by Ben Smaje

It's been a while since I've posted here, but things are settling down now. The past few years have been personally very challenging and very busy (injury, bereavement, house renovations and more) so the blog has unfortunately taken a bit of a back seat. But I am now hoping I can make a more concerted effort to keep the website up-to-date with topics from the...

We Are Proud to Comply With The CII’s ‘Pension Transfers Gold Standard’

Posted on October 10, 2019

in Awards, News, Pensions, Proper financial planning

by Ben Smaje

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has recently introduced a new Pension Transfer Gold Standard, to help ensure the highest-quality advice for clients considering whether to transfer out of a final salary pension scheme. Given our similar commitment to excellence, Kennedy Black Wealth Management is very proud to be able to comply with this new standard. Final salary pension transfers have become increasingly popular in recent years, as...

Discretionary Fund Manager (DFM) performance – the emperor or the elephant?

Posted on February 26, 2019

in Fees and charges, Investments, News, Proper financial planning

by Ben Smaje

We monitor financial markets on an ongoing basis, and one of the tasks we undertake regularly is to compare the performance of our client's portfolios against a variety of benchmarks. We have been doing this for more than eight years, and over that time, one theme has emerged with surprising consistency - the woeful performance of discretionary fund managers (DFMs). DFMs are companies that manage client portfolios...

I’m paying HOW MUCH for my investments?

Posted on February 26, 2019

in Fees and charges, Investments, News, Proper financial planning

by Ben Smaje

Much like peeling an onion, financial services can make one's eyes water. Particularly when it comes to costs, which have traditionally been buried under layer upon layer. Thankfully, the onion that is financial services in the UK has already had a number of layers peeled off over the years. Initially, through commission disclosure ('this is how much we make from you'); then the transition from commission...

“Don’t just do something, stand there”

Posted on May 20, 2016

in Investments, News, Proper financial planning, Video

by admin

[no_blockquote text="“DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING, STAND THERE.” JACK BOGLE" show_border="yes" show_quote_icon="yes"][vc_separator type="transparent" thickness="1" up="25" down="0"] I couldn’t resist posting this video, from Vanguard founder Jack Bogle, on why the ‘traditional’ finance industry has got it all the wrong way round....

Quarterly Private Client Newsletter: February 2016

Posted on February 24, 2016

in Corporate Benefits, Inheritance Tax, Investments, News, Pensions, Proper financial planning, Property, Protection, Tax, The Budget/Autumn Statement

by admin

Welcome to the latest edition of the Kennedy Black Quarterly Private Client Newsletter. First off, we are delighted to be able to say that Kennedy Black Wealth Management recently won not one but two prestigious awards: Boutique Wealth Management Firm of the Year and Financial Planning Product of the Year (for our INTELLIGENT WEALTH MAP planning tool). As well as that announcement, we also cover a few interesting...

Beware relying on ‘Death-in-Service’ life assurance

Posted on November 26, 2015

in Corporate Benefits, News, Proper financial planning, Protection, Wills and Trusts

by admin

A relatively sobering conversation recently highlighted the risk of relying on employer-based life assurance (often referred to as “Death-in-Service”). Most employers offer life cover as a benefit for employees: often a multiple of salary (3 or 4 times being most common). There are a number of benefits of doing it this way, for employees, employers and insurers. While some cover is better than none, it is worth...

Quarterly Private Client Newsletter: November 2015

Posted on November 26, 2015

in Corporate Benefits, Inheritance Tax, Investments, News, Pensions, Proper financial planning, Property, Protection, Tax, The Budget/Autumn Statement

by admin

Welcome to the latest edition of the Kennedy Black Quarterly Private Client Newsletter. We summarise yesterday's Autumn Statement, we talk about Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and when they seem to make most sense. Plus we look at a couple of insurance-based topics, including why you need to be careful about relying on employer-based protection cover. November 2015 KBWM Private Client Newsletter Don't hesitate to get in touch if you...

Our Awards and Achievements

Posted on July 8, 2015

in Awards, Environment, News, Proper financial planning

by admin

We are immensely proud of our achievements at Kennedy Black Wealth Management. Not least: We are proud to have achieved Chartered Financial Planning firm status in 2015; "HIGHLY COMMENDED" (i.e. Runner-Up): Investment Adviser of the Year 2017 at the Moneyfacts Investment Life & Pension Awards, from a shortlist of ten of the most highly respected advisory firms in the UK; In 2019, we wee also delighted to...

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