The fraud case involving a Citibank employee should be an eye-opener for HNIs.

Paying a price for privileges

Business Standard

For Indians (NRIs) in America, the beginning of 2011 will mean more tax burden. The estate duty, better known as &lsquo;death tax&rsquo;, has been re-introduced. It will be levied on the passing away of a tax payer, whether a citizen or not. The rate &mdash; a whopping 35 per cent &mdash; will be charged on the estate before any distribution among heirs.

More taxing times for NRIs in the US

I am a sleeping partner in a family business, managed by my elder brother (55). Recently, my brother met with an accident and had to stay away from work. As a result, all business-related work came to a standstill. Our life insurance agent suggested we take a Key Man policy for him.

Life Insurance: Deepak Sood

These products do not suit everyone even though they are flexible and facilitate investments in debt and equities.

Ulips: Only long-term benefits

Stocks with a high-dividend yield can provide investors additional cash flow. More importantly, it is tax-free.

Dividend booster for steady returns

One needs to stay invested for at least three years.

Midcaps offer value buying opportunities

There is this doctor in our vicinity who is quite respected and is very good at diagnosis. He shuns home visits, though that means more money. His clinic is full at all times, with patients having to wait an hour before the doctor sees them. This doctor understands that he is in a profession and does everything good for the patient. If a patient does not require a pathological test, he will never recommend one. He is doing well and is worshipped by his patients.

When professionals become businessmen

Standard Chartered Bank&rsquo;s alleged sale of debentures to its private banking clients with an illegal buyback option has put the spotlight on debentures.

Bank fixed deposits are a better bet than debentures

Like dematerialisation of securities, it will offer dual benefits of cost-effectiveness and convenience.

Insurance: Demat club's latest entrant

The rate of interest at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends money to other banks is called repo rate. At present, it stands at 6.75 per cent.

What are policy rates?

I am 24 and have just started working. My monthly take-home salary is Rs 45,000. How much should I save every month to avoid paying taxes? Which is the safest option? I have been told post-office recurring deposit is a good one.

Financial planning: Malhar Majumdar

Savings rate and returns from debt funds will be nullified by high borrowing rates.

RBI action: The good, the bad and the worst

Investors in debt mutual funds find themselves in a sweet spot each time there is an announcement of a rate rise. Fixed maturity plans (FMPs) especially become more popular because of the tax benefits these offer.

Rise in key rates means better returns on FMPs

Not all life insurance policies disclose their charges to policyholders. Traditional insurance policies do not disclose the charges. Unit-linked insurance products (Ulips) are more transparent about the charges.

What are the costs involved in a life insurance policy?

Banks may raise several transaction and related charges.

High deposit rates, higher fees likely

For most investors, a major cause of worry is their equity fund portfolio. As the stock market is often volatile, investors find themselves on their toes and worried. Since the focus remains on equity, the debt part of the mutual fund portfolio usually gets neglected. Moreover, as debt and debt-related instruments are perceived to be &lsquo;safe&rsquo;, not many investors feel the need to monitor their debt fund portfolio regularly. By doing so, they not only expose themselves to the risks associated with the impact of interest rate movements on the portfolio, but also compromise in terms of returns that they may earn from it.

Fund Fundamentals: Hemant Rustagi

Though the savings rate has been increased, it&rsquo;s better to keep money invested in higher paying instruments.

Don't keep cash idle in banks

For investors looking to play the high-risk-reward game, angel and crowd funding are innovative ways to fund companies at the concept stage.

Funding ideas for returns

I am 52 years. My wife (48) and my combined monthly income is Rs 1.4 lakh. I don&rsquo;t have any loan outstanding, but have three credit cards (between both of us). We live in a company-provided house, which the company is willing to sell for an upfront payment of Rs 40 lakh. When I approached banks for a loan, they refused despite a clean credit history.

Debt Counselling: Sanjay Agarwal

My insurance agent told me about an endowment plan and a money-back plan, both offered by a private sector life insurance company. I am not clear about the difference between the two.

Interest rates are favourable in the US. However, either the university or a greencard holder should be a guarantor.

Education loans: From India or US?

Personal Finance: Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Personal Finance: Investing, Planning, Retirement, Loans, & Insurance | Business Standard

Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Page 861 - Personal Finance