Financial Crisis

Life settlement sales made by seniors have doubled over the past two years to $11.8 billion. The financial crisis appears to have had an impact on sales as seniors are likely looking at all of their assets for sources of funds and liquidity . Experts do caution, however, that there are other ways to realize the value of a life insurance policy that do not involve loss of life insurance coverage: "If you're thinking about selling your life insurance mostly because you're strapped for cash, there...

The UK pension market is in tough shape post financial crisis. According to a Bloomberg article, "about 87 percent of the U.K.’s 7,400 final salary pension plans are in deficit following the financial crisis." This crisis offers an unprecendented opportunity for companies that insure the pension liabilities of private corporations through bulk purchase annuities. “The bulk-purchase annuity market is going to continue to be a good market because companies want to get their pension...

The Wall Street Journal reports that more people are turning to accountants for the type of advice typically provided by financial planners and investment advisors. Accountants are justifiably seen as sources of prudent, objective and professional financial advice. These "boring" qualities are in higher demand in the wake of the financial crisis and market meltdown. The American Institute of CPAs reported a 25% increase in of CPAs with Personal Finance Specialist credentials in the past five...

The life settlement market is benefiting from the fallout of the financial crisis. The supply side of the settlement industry is affected by consumers who have suffered through the crisis. Many are looking to raise cash through the sale of assets such as life insurance policies. Wall Street is pumping the demand side of the securitization market as investors seek alternative assets that are not correlated to the broader equity and fixed income markets. Source: Reuters Full Story