High commissions charged by financial advisors means there is always a conflict of interest when dealing with clients and many are far too well paid for their efforts, writes David Quinn.
The extent to which banks are running Ireland and Europe is clearly shown by the recently published Insolvency Guidelines and Rules, writes Dave Hughes.
Many sensible individuals are now rightly worried about the security of their savings and investments, writes David Quinn who says diversification is key.
Bailed-out Ireland is to contribute an additional €90 million to the European Union to help plug a shortfall in its 2013 budget. Ludicrous? Yes – but it’s hardly a blip on the radar of incongruity that is the EU’s funny money parade, writes Aaron McKenna.
There’s a crisis in the buy-to-let sector due to landlords falling into mortgage arrears and innocent tenants are getting caught in the chaos. Receivers have to realise people renting properties are not commodities, writes Bod Jordan.
Senior Bank of Cyprus official Mario Skandalis confirmed the figures, although he said they had not been finalised and a final announcement was expected by Monday.
In 2012 there were a total 8,135 complaints made to the Financial Services Ombudsman. While we should be able to name and shame badly behaving banks, consumers should also be concerned about the performance of this office, writes Ronan Coburn.
The bank says it will soon reimburse money borrowed in exceptional ECB long-term lending operations, owing to improvements in the credit markets and its own cash position.
Peter Oakes, who set up the new enforcement department at the Central Bank when he joined in October 2010, said he is leaving to pursue other interests.
“As austerity bites to the knuckle, soup kitchens spring up around the country and children are sent to school hungry. It just seems so terribly wrong.”
ONE OF AMERICA’S biggest child beauty pageant organisers is set to spend €20,000 staging their first-ever Irish contest in September.
The Herald reports today that beauty bosses said it will be open to “babies, toddlers and teens” and will also include a heat with kids in swimwear.
Some parents believe that contests celebrates their children’s beauty, helps them learn about camaraderie and boosts their self-confidence. While others think that beauty pageants send out the wrong kind of message to children and that the costumes and make-up involved sexualises kids.
So, today we would like to know: Would you enter your child in a beauty pageant?
Sun and clouds with a couple of showers
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Times of clouds and sun
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Mostly cloudy with afternoon rain
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