Five things your clients will call you about this week

Nationals round-up: Hargreaves Lansdown criticised, another look at investing in technology and inflation assessed.

Hargreaves Lansdown

Mail on Sunday readers were given an interesting take on the poor performance of the Fidelity China Special Situations fund, with brokers such as Hargreaves Lansdown cast as the villains. Although Anthony Bolton bears responsibility for the performance, the Mail blamed the marketing and sales teams at Fidelity and Hargreaves for luring in investors at the "worst possible moments", with the latter earning around £500,000 a year in commission.

Investing in technology

Is it time for investors to expose themselves to a little more to technology? Sunday Telegraph readers will know Warren Buffett seems to think so, having upped his stake in IBM in recent months. However, technology funds which emerged at the turn of the century have not exactly set the world alight, with many being closed, merged or sold on. An area with big risks but, potentially, big rewards.

Inflation

Inflation's corrosive effects on savings was covered in the Telegraph, with an explanation of how a security bought for £100 back in 1971 might be worth £20 today. Considering the piece was written by Paul Killik, senior partner at stockbroker Killik & Co, it was no surprise readers were recommended a higher equity content for their portfolios.

Zombie accounts

A warning for anyone with deposits in savings accounts which are now closed to new customers, with the Guardian suggesting the banks and building societies are no longer incentivised to offer competitive rates. There are apparently 1,211 of these ‘zombie accounts', with almost half paying 0.5% interest or less, and many paying just 0.1%.

An end to pension tax breaks?

George Osborne could target top-rate tax relief and tax-free lump sum withdrawals in the Autumn Statement, according to the Telegraph. At present, around 40% of taxpayers get 40% tax relief on their pensions, while those over 55 can withdraw up to 25% of their pot as a lump sum without it being taxed.