TESTIMONIALS & CASE STUDIES
We have listed below some complimentary things that clients have said about us and our services. Client’s full names are not listed as this information is confidential. We can assure visitors that what is quoted here is exactly what the client put in writing to us. We are able to prove this as we keep the original document on file in the format in which it was sent to us.
You will also find three case studies which will give you an idea of some of the work we have done in the area of mortgages, loans and individual protection.
We plan to expand upon this shortly by including case studies that focus on other specific areas of financial planning like investments, pensions and insurance, which will appear in the relevant section of this website.
K A LINCOLN INVESTMENTS
I have been associated with the above for a number of years and have always found the advice received to be excellent. In particular the provision of guidance on mortgage options has been especially beneficial, saving me hundreds of pounds per month during the current unusual global financial circumstances.”
Mr B – Eastbourne, West Sussex
The most extraordinary thing about the current financial crisis is that rarely are Government Stocks mentioned. Having said that I had not myself given more than a passing thought to Gilt Edge Securities until I was attending one of those cosy financial presentations designed to reassure and woo investors. At that time I had a broad portfolio that was performing tolerably well, rising in value and paying modest returns. Most investors at that time shared my boat. We were keeping afloat. No storms were brewing. During the interval while tea was being served. I sat exchanging views with other investors. At our table was a quiet young man who began to draw, as it were, a sketch of the world’s economies and unsettled us by predicting the changes that are now plunging us into depression. Someone at the table asked him outright where he kept his funds.”Gilts” he said, without hesitation. “Long dated.” He said little more, gave us all his business card and left the meeting. That was five years ago. When the financial storm began to blow, I remembered him, called him, and took his advice.
The public at large has become incensed at the avarice of those engaged in financial services and the lack of control and vision by Government regulators. We have few reasons to trust them. The relationship I have with KAL, whose website delineates a brilliantly crafted ‘Safety First Strategy’ for investors, is based on absolute trust. I receive up –to-the minute advice, counsel and crystal clear financial information. Its creator, Kim Lincoln, does not bend with the wind. His is no follower of trends. He thinks clearly unhindered by the fear of failure or the lure of bonuses. Ours is a very personal relationship.
Had I not switched my funds on KAL’s advice three years ago, I would today be impoverished. Instead my money is secure and poised to increase in value. Where else today can you find an investment paying four- and-a-quarter per cent guaranteed to maturity? In this world of fear and frenzy I have found my comfort zone and sleep easy at night”.
Mr F – Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
My late father moved his investments from a ‘rag bag’ assortment of stocks and shares and savings schemes, into the Safety First Strategy, about 3 years ago.
Knowing that his hard earned cash was ‘safe’, his income from his savings was secure and his tax return was greatly simplified gave him a peace of mind and a sense of security that he simply could not find elsewhere.
As the executor of his of his estate, I have appreciated the sheer simplicity of what he did and I was grateful for the prompt and compassionate way in which Brewin Dolphin and Kim Lincoln have responded to any requests for information.
Mrs L – Telford, Shropshire
MORTGAGE CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDY ONE: Mr X & Mrs Y – Oswestry, Shropshire
HOW THEIR DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP WAS TURNED INTO REALITY...
Current Situation: Our clients lived in rented accommodation. They had loan/credit card debts of £32,000 and no savings. Mr X was employed
(Salary: £28,000 p.a.). Mrs Y stayed at home to look after their baby. They were desperate to buy their own home but their bank could not help them. However, following a conversation with us, they were told that they might qualify for a ‘special’ lender scheme.
Shortfalls: We analysed their finances and calculated the maximum they could afford to spend on their first house. Armed with this information and an ‘Acceptance in Principal’ offer from the lender they went house hunting. They soon found a suitable property and agreed to buy it at 6% off the asking price.
Our clients had life cover but it was insufficient to protect the term and size of the borrowings they required. They had no income protection or redundancy cover.
Recommendations Agreed: A borrowing facility was arranged that incorporated a 95% mortgage (£94,050), topped up with an unsecured loan of £29,700 (i.e. 30% of the property value). The 25 year unsecured low interest loan enabled them to consolidate most of their existing debts and dramatically reduce their monthly repayments. This made the additional cost of buying their home affordable. The loan also provided the funds for the conditional 5% house deposit and a £1,000 ‘cash back’ was offered to cover legal fees.
A flexible protection life policy ensured that all debts could be repaid on either death with an extra amount to cover contingencies. The policy protected most of Mr. X’s income against long term sickness/disability. The option to include redundancy cover was discounted as unaffordable. Home Insurance was arranged at a highly competitive rate with three months of premium free cover.
The added bonus was our ‘Fixed Fee & Commission Back‘ scheme. Our clients paid £499 for the mortgage advice and received £900 in ‘Commission Back. However, as our fee was added to the loan – to spread the cost - they had an extra £900 to spend. All the above was achieved for an additional monthly cost of only £24!
CASE STUDY TWO: Mr & Mrs H – Telford, Shropshire
HOW WE SAVED THEM FROM BANKRUPTCY - BY REDUCING THEIR COSTS - & PROTECTING THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURE
Current Situation: We confirmed the client’s fears that their expenditure dangerously exceeded income and that bankruptcy was foreseeable. The interest on their mortgage was excessive and the term extended beyond their retirement ages. Redemption penalties made an immediate re-mortgage unviable.
Shortfalls: Insufficient Life Assurance to protect their expensive loan, credit card and overdraft debts of £28,000 and no Income Protection for long-term sickness and redundancy. Employer sick pay was minimal.
Recommendations Agreed: To consolidate non-mortgage debt into a low cost short term loan connected to highly advantageous ‘offset’ banking and savings arrangements. This alone reduced monthly interest costs by £160.
Top up a replacement life policy to cover all debt and protect the premiums should either of them fall sick. To arrange Income Protection policies for both as well as full Redundancy Cover for Mr H.
By the following year - when we consolidated the loan into a re-mortgage - we had saved our clients a staggering £706 per month including the cost of the new policies. The mortgage is on track to be repaid before their retirement date and the money they are able to put aside each month - in an offset tax free savings account - progressively reduces the mortgage term as the credit balance increases.
CASE STUDY THREE: Miss G – Telford, Shropshire
HOW WE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED OUR CLIENT’S MONTHLY EXPENDITURE TO FUND FURTHER EDUCATION AND PROTECTED THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURE.
Current Situation: Mortgage £54,000 (Redemption penalties to 12/05); Loans £16,000 (secured); £18,500 (unsecured); Credit Cards £1,000. Miss G wanted to utilise the substantial rise in her house value to consolidate her unsecured borrowings into the mortgage in order to release savings to fund further education.
Shortfalls: £19,500 of Life/Critical illness Cover (loan and credit card debt unprotected). Income not protected beyond six months of sick pay
Recommendations Agreed: To arrange a flexible further advance of £20,000 (existing lender) and repay the unsecured loan and credit card debts. To review re-mortgaging in 12/2005 in order to generate further savings. To replace the existing life/critical illness cover (cheaper) and increase the sum assured to protect all borrowings. To incorporate modest cost Income Protection into the new policy that dovetailed with employers’ sick pay scheme.
Monthly savings of £328 were achieved which we expected to increase after the planned re –mortgage.
Please note that in order to protect client identity and maintain the confidentiality of personal data some factual information pertaining to these case studies may have been altered. Where changes have been made we have been careful not to misrepresent or exaggerate any of the benefits obtained for our clients as a result of our advice.
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