Search found 22 matches

by gazzaga
Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:27 am
Forum: Financial Matters
Topic: Toxic Investments in Insurance Bonds
Replies: 2
Views: 2859

Re: Toxic Investments in Insurance Bonds

Thank you for your explanation. I have always thought it strange that investment advice in Cyprus often seems to come from insurance advisors, so have declined any investment advice opportunities from those. In the UK, Financial Advisers often provide Insurance and Investment products together and ...
by gazzaga
Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:32 pm
Forum: Financial Matters
Topic: Toxic Investments in Insurance Bonds
Replies: 2
Views: 2859

Toxic Investments in Insurance Bonds

I'm a financial adviser and I recently met with a potential new client who had been sold an offshore insurance bond which contained 'Investment' funds, all of which were suspended which meant that the bond owner could access no cash from the bond, had lost money on these suspended funds and was stil...
by gazzaga
Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:34 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Hellenic Bank - FATCA & CRS
Replies: 8
Views: 4513

Re: Hellenic Bank - FATCA & CRS

I phoned the Hellenic Bank's Customer Officer who insisted that every non Cypriot whose tax status in the Hellenic Bank was not defined would have to complete the forms. Having told her that I had been a customer for nearly 15 years, a MEU3 holder and a Cyprus Tax Resident she acknowledged that per...
by gazzaga
Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Please recommend a notary for the writing of a will
Replies: 14
Views: 5027

Re: Please recommend a notary for the writing of a will

Marion Carter is UKI solicitor and is licensed in Cyprus. If you want will written correctly, don't scrimp on getting then prepared professionally. If you hold assets in more then one jurisdiction, you should have a will for each jurisdiction. Don't forget Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey are NOT UK.
by gazzaga
Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Hellenic Bank - FATCA & CRS
Replies: 8
Views: 4513

Re: Hellenic Bank - FATCA & CRS

Dominic, financial services regs are increasingly global, especially where information on tax liabilities are concerned. Ian Ian, This is true so why hasn't every account holder of every bank in Cyprus received these letters ? Why does the United States want to know an account holders personal and ...
by gazzaga
Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:37 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Bank accounts and transfers to UK.
Replies: 14
Views: 5678

Re: Bank accounts and transfers to UK.

Nat West are the worst and I seriously suspect that they use the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements to offload accountholders. I've assisted many of my clents in providing KYC (which is acceptable to all other institutions) but Nat West have rejected it and in one case, denied ever having receive...
by gazzaga
Tue May 21, 2019 9:57 am
Forum: Financial Matters
Topic: Cypriot banks - recommendation?
Replies: 10
Views: 7329

Re: Cypriot banks - recommendation?

I use an Isle of Man Bank which issues Debit Cards in £,€ & $ and makes no charge for the card or ATM withdrawals anywhere in the world. They have branches in Jersey and London too. Their service is like banking was 30 years ago (helpful, knowledgeable staff). All usual UK banking facilities lik...
by gazzaga
Fri May 10, 2019 9:20 am
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Coffee Machine
Replies: 22
Views: 9418

Re: Coffee Machine

I just read this thread Austin 7 and I was horrified that you'd give up on your Gaggia. I have a Gaggia Classic which replaced my older, cast aluminium Gaggia Baby about 10 years ago. The new Gaggia Machines at=re nothing like the old ones after Phillips boughth the company. Keep repairing and repla...
by gazzaga
Sun Apr 28, 2019 6:07 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Hellenic/Bank of Cyprus query
Replies: 17
Views: 7294

Re: Hellenic/Bank of Cyprus query

I work with a bank in Isle of Man which issues debit cards in €,$ and £ and I'm not charged for cash withdrawals anywhere in the World. It also offers all usual UK banking facilities, even a cheque book. It has a high minimum balance however but this can be cash and investments so it works for me
by gazzaga
Fri Apr 12, 2019 5:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: €11,500 a month. Salary too low say pilots!
Replies: 8
Views: 3739

Re: €11,500 a month. Salary too low say pilots!

I am surprised that the offer is so low. Piloting such a plane is not a picnic. Firstly, they have to scoop up water, meaning they have to fly just above the waves, requiring good piloting skills. Then they have to dump the water just above the treetops, often with smoke obscuring the view. I am fu...
by gazzaga
Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:26 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: Lost Driving Licence
Replies: 6
Views: 3282

Re: Lost Driving Licence

I had the same problem November last year but my replacement did arrive before the expiry of the temp one. The system seemed to work well.
by gazzaga
Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:52 pm
Forum: Financial Matters
Topic: Pension entitlement
Replies: 11
Views: 8396

Re: Pension entitlement

You can get a pension forecast from the UK online these days (you may need to register) to give you an idea what you will receive from there. I turned 50 recently and it does focus your attention on the future :-)

If you need anything more specisfic or personal, ping me a PM.
by gazzaga
Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:06 am
Forum: Financial Matters
Topic: Pension entitlement
Replies: 11
Views: 8396

Re: Pension entitlement

Hi All I looked into this a few years ago. I have worked for 20 years in UK, 3 years in Jersey and now 15 years in Cyprus (as a financial adviser - so I understand pensions). Only UK contributions count toward a UK pension. It is possible to pay UK pension contributions from abroad and you should lo...
by gazzaga
Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:47 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: GESY contribution payment taken from interest on savings
Replies: 10
Views: 4209

Re: GESY contribution payment taken from interest on savings

The GESY payment is also due on rental income be it UK or Cyprus property as well as interest and dividends
by gazzaga
Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: GESY contribution payment taken from interest on savings
Replies: 10
Views: 4209

Re: GESY contribution payment taken from interest on savings

mike strand2 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:36 am This is plainly a ridiculous way to charge for the new NHS.

EXAMPLE
Capital in bank €5,000
Bank Interest at 2% = €100
Gesy contribution = 100 x 1.7% = €1.70 A MONTH
Mike, it's €1.70 per year
by gazzaga
Wed Nov 22, 2017 2:42 pm
Forum: Medical Matters
Topic: Turmeric
Replies: 11
Views: 6430

Re: Turmeric (for dogs)

I spoke to the vet about giving turmeric to my dog and she looked into it and said it's fine.
by gazzaga
Fri Nov 03, 2017 1:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: 2013 valuation of properties
Replies: 3
Views: 2134

Re: 2013 valuation of properties

Cloven, do you have deeds? Unless the deeds are issued the plans mean very little. When the plots are separated the Land Registry will measure each parcel and determine the size. You can probably find your combined plot on the interactive map
by gazzaga
Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:42 am
Forum: General Discussion Area
Topic: 2013 valuation of properties
Replies: 3
Views: 2134

2013 valuation of properties

The 2013 revaluations were a bad joke. Many properties are still taxed as fields or plots in the 2013 revaluation even if they have properties on them that have stood there for decades. It makes interesting reading and goes a long way to explaining why this country is bankrupt. Here's how to check: ...
by gazzaga
Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:38 am
Forum: Motoring
Topic: Buy or rent? Advice sought.
Replies: 9
Views: 5302

Re: Buy or rent? Advice sought.

Having owned a convertible in Cyprus I can say that they are not that useful here. it's very dusty, often too hot to have the roof down as A/C required and sunburn can be an issue. Also they tend to have no boot space. I'd say rent but rent something practical. Good thing about renting is you can ch...
by gazzaga
Fri Nov 03, 2017 8:41 am
Forum: Medical Matters
Topic: Turmeric
Replies: 11
Views: 6430

Re: Turmeric

Turmeric is also safe to use with animals. There is lots of info available on the internet. There is a 'TUG' (Turmeric User Group) you can search for. I've been giving it to my arthritic Lab for about 10 days and I can see the improvement. Mixed with olive oil and black pepper. She does seem to smel...