Bank finance articles and tips

Kaizen, in Japanese, means "continuous improvement," that is "changing for the better." The word Kaizen denotes a principle. It shouldn't be confused with any specific guidelines or standards. The underlying principle behind the term is that even small and insignificant looking decisions, when effectively taken in business, can bring relatively larger output in terms of efficiency, productivity and thus profitability. The Kaizen principle is basically a systematic approach to business decision making guided by practical and logical metrics. Those companies which wish to adopt Kaizen decision making in business should effectively understand Kaizen budgeting....

Filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can provide the immediate financial relief you'll need. Chapter 7 bankruptcies are relatively quicker than their more complicated Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 counterparts - and as you don't have to undergo any repayment plans, you'll immediately experience relief from your biggest debts.

However, that doesn't mean that you'll experience relief from ALL of your debts; in fact, there are exemptions to this rule that can ultimately determine whether or not you'll file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If one of your biggest debts can't be discharged by a Chapter 7, you and your bankruptcy attorney view other alternatives.

With this in mind, let's take a look at the debts that can't be discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Financial advisers, and the financial institutions which they are affiliated with, are helping themselves to your money with your full consent. It's called trailing commissions. (Sometimes it maybe described as ongoing fees paid on a percentage basis). Every financial product from superannuation, home loans, managed funds, life insurance and investment loans, pay out trailing commissions. These fees and commissions come straight out of your investment portfolio. Initial commissions are relatively large amounts. Renewal or 'trail' commissions are usually paid as well as or instead of Initial commissions; these are regular monthly/quarterly/annual payments. Each payment of trail commission is a relatively small amount in itself but as they are paid throughout the life of the policy they become substantial in totality.The Australian Government has identified through recent cases and surveys the impact of commissions on investment decisions. With high profile cases of investors losing significant amounts of wealth due to commission driven practices, it is important for the public to be aware of the amounts paid.