Our content this month are as follows:-

• New Brand
• Books We Have Read
• More Success for Index Clients!
• Beware the Banks and Product Pushing
• Young Man in Search of Work
• Quote of the Month

The more eagle eyed of you may have noticed that this month's newsletter comes from "Index Wealth Management" rather than "Index Fund Advisors". By now all clients should have received notification of our new trading style and we hope you like it.

We have made the change because Wealth Management better and more accurately describes the service we offer to clients. We have a new website address and new e-mail addresses which we will let you have over the course of the next couple of months; there is no rush as all of the old addresses will work in the meantime. Nothing else has changed, we are simply trading as Index Wealth Management and will provide the same high level of service you have become used to.

Our thanks to Louise Panayides of Edge Creative for the first class job she has done in designing and producing our new brand.

If you have any comments regarding the new name or logo we would welcome them - please e-mail them to jayne@indexwm.co.uk

Markets often move in cycles and so it is not surprising that the behaviour of the banks also follow cycles. We have noticed that the recent volatility in markets has prompted the banks to push much harder their Structured Products, which are of course highly profitable for them. These products will typically carry some sort of capital guarantee at the end of a fixed period and are promoted as an alternative to markets, with a potential to make money even if markets fall. They are typically highly expensive, opaque and difficult to understand. They should be avoided.

We are attaching to this newsletter an article that Noel had published by the Financial Times warning against these very products.

Felix Dennis, the author of this month's choice was first famous as one of the defendants in the "Oz" magazine obscenity trial in 1971. The judge was none too kind about his capabilities and gave him a shorter sentence than his co-defendants as a result. Mr Dennis went on to establish one of the largest independent publishing companies in the world proving the judge spectacularly wrong in the process.

The book he has written is titled "How to Get Rich" and is much the best book of its sort we have read. Much of his advice is extremely pithy and much is of Business School quality; we are sure many of our clients will enjoy reading about Mr Dennis's journey and the lessons he learned as they will be very similar to their own.

The book is available at bookstores in the UK and is on Amazon’s list; as usual if you have any difficulty finding it please contact jayne@indexwm.co.uk.

Nigel Botterill, Chief Executive and owner of "The Best Of" has seen his company rise to number three in the national rankings of the Sunday Times Tech Track 100. The table ranks Britain's 100 fastest-growing private technology companies by their sales growth over a two-year period. This is a fantastic achievement for a company that is itself little more than two years old; our congratulations to Nigel and his wife Sue.

Edward Belgeonne, Chief Executive and founder of Destiny Wireless PLC was named national winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Science and Technology 2007. Edward’s award was the culmination of a rigorous and intensive selection and judging process that started in November 2006. Award winners have to meet stringent selection criteria including entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, strategic direction, leading and building teams, financial performance, national or global impact and corporate social responsibility. Again, a fantastic achievement and our congratulations to Edward.

We recently met Gareth Simpson, son of Kirk Simpson, a long-time client. Gareth is a very impressive young man who is seeking a foothold in the world of work. A brief résumé is below and if anyone can help please contact Gareth directly.

Nottingham Trent University Graduate in Business Studies and former Solihull School pupil, currently based in Solihull and looking to find a career path of interest. Willing to gain experience and skills in any area, and trainee positions or other professional/vocational opportunities would be ideal. A team player who gains motivation from being part of a team and from achieving set goals, which would be an asset in terms of team/business progression. A very genuine and personable individual who is prepared to work hard, is willing to learn, and will focus and apply himself in the workplace.

Contact details: email- Garethsimpson247@hotmail.com, Tel- 07843224127

"All I ask is the chance to prove that money cannot make me happy."

Spike Milligan

"Sex is like money - only too much is enough."

John Updike