Kuflink Wins 3 Top Industry Awards!
To top off a fantastic start to the year for Kuflink, we’re proud to announce that we have won 3 industry awards this month! On Wednesday 21st March, we attended the Business Moneyfacts Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in Hyde Park, where Strictly Come Dancing’s Claudia Winkleman presented Kuflink with our first award of 2018. The whole team was still in great spirits from this fantastic event when we headed to the Property Wire Awards at Eight Club in Moorgate on Friday, where property guru Martin Roberts handed Kuflink a further two awards!
Our team works extremely hard to secure the best deals for our borrowers and lenders, so we’re thrilled to have won:
Best Alternative Business Funding Provider – Business Moneyfacts Awards
Kuflink has the pleasure of providing finance to a huge range of exciting businesses, from restaurants to hotels. Our sales team consistently deliver excellent results by tailoring each loan to meet the individual needs of the borrower, which is how we challenged top competitors including Funding Circle and Ratesetter to win the Best Alternative Business Funding Provider!
Crowdfunding Platform of the Year – Property Wire Awards
More than £15 million has been invested through our platform since we launched in 2016, with £0 investor losses! Kuflink’s bespoke, easy-to-use online investment platform has always been a hit with our investor community and it’s fantastic to have been recognised as the best in the industry.
Best Specialist Finance Provider 2018 – Property Wire Awards
Borrowers can often be overwhelmed by the huge range of short-term finance options to choose from, which is why Kuflink Bridging keeps it simple; cost-effective, hassle-free bridging loans starting from just £50,000. Our speed and flexibility are what makes us Best Specialist Finance Provider for the second year in a row!
Find out what makes us the best in the business by signing up to Kuflink’s investment platform today – you’re just a few minutes away from joining thousands of savvy investors who earn up to 7.2% interest pa gross! *
*Capital is at risk. Rate correct as of March 2018. You should seek independent financial advice.
Could 2018 Spell The End For Your Local Bank?
In 2017 alone, more than 800 UK banks closed their doors to customers for the final time. Although these closures were often met with protests from those reliant on their local branch, the popularity of online banking has been a huge factor in the disappearance of banks from our high streets. 63% of us report that we use online banking regularly and, with few customers still using their local branch for everyday services such as transferring money or paying bills, we could soon see a fully digital banking system.
Only 62% feel that local branches are important
Research conducted by PWC shows that a clear majority of Brits still see the need for local services but, perhaps surprisingly, almost 4 in 10 do not feel that they are important. This report also found that a huge 46% of customers now interact with their bank solely through digital means!
RBS plan 259 branch closures by June 2018
After a reported 40% drop in the number of customers using their branches since 2014, RBS recently announced plans to close around a quarter of their network, which includes RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank branches. This is typical of the challenge that most banks now face – to find a cost-effective way to balance the demand for physical branches with the fact that almost half of us elect to use digital channels wherever possible.
Why do people prefer online banking?
For many of us, local banks simply do not fit around a busy, modern lifestyle; they are closed by the time we return from work in the evening and closed for half of the weekend, leaving us little time to arrange a visit. In contrast, online banking is accessible 24/7 from anywhere we happen to find ourselves, so long as there is an internet connection.
As the UK’s FinTech landscape expands, it’s easier than ever to explore different approaches to your finances; all the information you need to get more from your money is right at your fingertips.
Join thousands of savvy investors who are realising the earning potential of their money and sign up to Kuflink’s easy-to-use online platform today! Kuflink is an innovative peer-to-peer platform where you can invest in UK property loans and earn up to 7.2% interest pa gross.*
*Capital is at risk. Rate correct as of March 2018. You should seek independent financial advice.
Live from LBC: Kuflink Joins Nick Ferrari
To celebrate a fantastic 10 months since we launched our Innovative Finance ISA, Kuflink CEO Narinder Khattoare met with LBC’s Nick Ferrari this week to discuss interest rates, diversification and getting more from your ISA in 2018.
“Over the last decade, savers are not getting much for their money from high street banks and are getting frustrated… it’s almost as if they are being penalised”
The new financial year begins in just two weeks and your tax-free savings allowance for 2018/19 is a substantial £20,000†, so if you’re not 100% happy with the returns you’re currently earning, then make sure you consider the alternatives.
“You need to be diversifying your investment”
You could earn up to 5.35% pa* with Kuflink’s IF-ISA and, should you decide to transfer your existing ISA, we won’t charge you a penny to switch! *
Get up to speed with ISAs before the transfer deadline – watch the full interview here:
Boost your tax-free returns and open your Kuflink Innovative Finance ISA today:
- Invest up to £20,000 per annum tax-free†
- Choose your fixed term; 1, 3 or 5 years
- Transfer funds from your current ISA provider
- No platform or investment fees
- See your interest accruing daily
- Transfer your Cash, Stocks and Shares or Innovative Finance ISA
*Capital is at risk. Rate based on a 5-year fixed-term investment. Your existing ISA provider may charge you a fee to transfer out. You should seek independent financial advice.
† £20,000 annual ISA allowance set by HMRC
Bitcoin for Beginners: Investing in Cryptocurrency
Tales of tech-savvy investors becoming overnight Bitcoin millionaires have captured everyone’s attention this past year, but cryptocurrencies aren’t without risk – you’ve likely heard just as many horror stories about huge drops in value and Bitcoin-related scams.
From the complicated coin mining process to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator, the entire crypto-economy is shrouded in secrecy, so Kuflink has put together this handy guide to help you navigate your way through 2018s biggest financial trend:
What is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies are electronic currencies that are not directly related to any bank, government or country. There are no physical coins or notes; each ‘coin’ is actually just a heavily encrypted code. The most popular form of cryptocurrency is undoubtedly Bitcoin, but you may also recognise emerging currencies such as Ripple and Ethereum.
What are the Benefits of Using Cryptocurrency?
One of the key benefits of cryptocurrencies is the fact that, as they operate independently of traditional economies, they aren’t subject to inflation, exchange rates or market manipulation in the same way as centralised currencies. Many users also favour the anonymity that cryptocurrencies offer – transactions are much harder to trace than those made by cash or credit.
What is a Bitcoin worth?
The value of a Bitcoin is volatile and varies hugely from day to day; at the time of writing, a Bitcoin is worth approximately £6,250, although ‘the price frequently moves by more than 10% within hours’. As cryptocurrencies aren’t asset-backed or centralised, their value is subject to sudden large increases or decreases. Think of the price as an agreement on what people are willing to pay for a Bitcoin rather than a predictable figure based on, for example, the price of gold.
Tips for Investing in Cryptocurrency
There are three main ways to gain Bitcoins – you can buy them, get paid in them or mine for them. Mining is a complex process which uses powerful computers to solve mathematical problems, and can take months of hard work for even the most skilled miners.
It’s wise to spend some time thoroughly researching how the system works before you invest – individuals have made huge amounts of money from trading cryptocurrencies, but the market is volatile and technically in-depth, you’ll need to make sure you understand what you’re investing in.
You’ll also need to be careful which platforms you buy from or trade via, as there have been a number of online scams targeting Bitcoin, which are almost impossible to trace once they’ve been taken.
Cryptocurrency vs Peer-to-Peer Investing
If you prefer less volatile, asset-backed investments, Kuflink offers up to 7.2% interest pa gross* on a variety of exclusive property-backed opportunities and, with over £15 million invested via the online platform to date, our investors have never lost a penny!* Sign up today in just 4 easy steps.
*Capital is at risk. Rate correct as of March 2018. You should seek independent financial advice.
Buy-to-let investments down 80%
You often hear that ‘property is the safest investment’, and many consider rental opportunities as the gold-standard of investing – yet the latest figures show an 80% drop in UK buy-to-let mortgages. So, why are landlords turning their backs on what has traditionally been a cornerstone of property investment?
Many would-be landlords worry that they will be faced with difficult tenants, nightmare evictions and expensive maintenance bills, which are substantial risks in return for often modest profits. This, in addition to the numerous financial changes made to buy-to-let investment, have changed the entire UK rental landscape for 2018:
IMLA, the mortgage lender trade body, report that new money invested in buy-to-let properties has fallen by 80% since 2015
Property Hub have named their top investment hotspots for the year, and they’re all up North! As property prices in London continue to slow, cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds are enjoying record levels of investment and interest.
Tenants are no longer liable for any referencing or renewal fees, and the government is launching an Ombudsman service to mediate tenant-landlord disputes
How else can I invest in property?
If you’ve decided against a buy-to-let property but are still looking for investment opportunities secured against UK property, you’ll be pleased to know that there are other options. Sign up to Kuflink today for exclusive deals offering up to 7.2% interest pa gross* without all the hassle!
Invest from just £100
Earn up to 7.2% interest pa gross*
Interest paid monthly
Secured against bricks and mortar
Invest for typically 3 to 12 months
No account management fees
FCA Authorised
*Capital is at risk. Rate correct as of March 2018. Independent financial advice is recommended.
5 Key Points from the Spring Statement
Chancellor Philip Hammond gave the first ever spring statement this Tuesday, which outlined key financial forecasts for the year ahead. Kuflink was delighted to learn that UK technology is being hailed as one of the most promising avenues for continued economic growth, with the Chancellor stating that “our best days lie ahead of us”. Key points from the Spring Statement included:
The Spotlight Was Firmly on FinTech
In his opening address, the Chancellor spoke about the UK’s ‘world-class’ technology, including apps such as TransferWise. This shows just how impressive our home-grown FinTech innovations are and sets a great tone for the future of Kuflink!
The UK is preparing for a digital economy
One of the Treasury’s most recent consultation papers suggested that, in light of the clear move towards a cash-light economy, we may soon say goodbye to 1p and 2p coins. There will also be research conducted to ensure that those who favour cash are not excluded by the fast-approaching digital economy.
Support was announced to help struggling businesses perform better
In an economy where small businesses face many challenges, the Chancellor announced a review to establish how those in difficulty can learn from their more productive counterparts. To further support business growth, the 2022 business rate review has been brought forward to 2021.
New housing initiatives announced
The last full budget announcement centred around how the government planned to deliver more affordable housing, and the Chancellor was pleased to announce three new housing initiatives in his speech. Projects for the year include investment in to the Housing Infrastructure Fund, and a further £1.67 billion made available to fund new homes in London.
2018 growth forecast raised to 1.5%
Overall economic growth forecasts have been increased from 1.4% to 1.5%, which Hammond described as ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’.
Kuflink are proud to be part of the UK’s technology boom! To find out how we combine our expert financial knowledge with cutting edge technology, sign up to our award-winning online investment platform today!
Are Ifisas worth the risk?
Innovative finance individual savings accounts (Ifisas) were introduced two years ago to allow investors to hold more unusual assets such as peer-to-peer (P2P) loans, loan notes and crowd-funded unlisted corporate bonds within a tax-efficient wrapper.
Top tips for transferring your ISA
If you’re in search of an ISA with higher returns for the 2018/19 tax year, then why not consider a transfer to Kuflink’s IF-ISA?
Should Young Home Owners Buy New Build Homes?
For young buyers, getting onto the property ladder can be a long and difficult struggle. Just saving for the deposit alone can be a trying feat, taking the average first-time buyer 8 years. Then there is the process of finding the right property, negotiating on the asking price, and dealing with legal matters – all of this assuming the house-sale does not fall through.
For this reason, new builds can be very appealing for young homeowners, because they can select a house and plot without fear of the seller pulling out. But are new build homes really all they are cracked up to be?
The Pros
Energy Efficient: New build homes are well insulated, have double glazing, and new central heating. As such, they typically have a higher EPC rating and are warmer, as well as cheaper to heat.
High standards: Incorporating modern safety concerns, new builds are constructed to a high standard, providing buyers with peace of mind.
Low maintenance: Completed just before a buyer moves in, everything in a new build home has never been used before. This means that there is little maintenance required.
10-year warranty: Guaranteed by the National House Building Council (NHBC), new builds in the UK have a 10-year warranty. This covers structural issues and major repairs, so there are no costs to buyers if something goes wrong.
Personal style: One of the biggest appeals of a new build is choosing the finishes and styling. You can select everything to suit your tastes, meaning there is no worry about having to redecorate or carry out major work – it is move-in ready.
No onward chain. There is no need to wait for the buyer to find a new home. Instead, as soon as the home has been built, you can move in.
The Cons
More expensive: Often, new properties carry a higher price tag than older properties of the same size and calibre. Being brand new, they carry a premium.
Characterless: New builds are often described as ‘boxy’ as they lack any traditional features. However, this depends on personal preference.
Smaller: Builders want to fit as many plots on a piece of land as possible. As such, rooms and gardens can be smaller than in older properties.
As you can see, there are more pros than cons to new build properties. However, no two buyers are the same, so consider what you want from your new home to help you decide if you would prefer a new build or an older property.
This is a guest article, written by Allsop.
