Life insurance can help to mitigate IHT exposure, which may exist in any of the following scenarios:

  • IHT is payable at 40% on assets above a nil-rate-band of GBP 325,000 or GBP 650,000 for a couple
  • It is payable by UK domiciled and deemed domiciled individuals on worldwide assets and non-domiciled individuals on UK situs assets
  • IHT is due on all UK property regardless of any structure, even for non-UK resident individuals
  • Gifts are generally treated as potentially exempt transfers, but if the donor dies within seven years, the gift may be taxable
  • Where beneficiaries are young and/or gifting is not appropriate
  • Life insurance is often cheaper than IHT

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Where estates contain substantial assets, such as family businesses and landed estates, equalisation between beneficiaries can be problematic. A life insurance policy can be gifted to one beneficiary, ensuring other assets remain in place and beneficiaries receive a cash benefit at the point of death.

Credit Suisse has been a pioneer in the area of sustainable and impact investing for more than 17 years. We design solutions that aim to generate market rate or higher returns by adding ESG factors to allow for better-​informed investment decisions, while also reflecting our clients’ personal values and taking into account long-​term externalities of their portfolios for people and the planet. We also provide clients with strategic advice and portfolio ESG screening, as well as investment advice based on sustainability criteria.

ESG-​aware solution

Sustainability Mandate
This multi-asset-class solution offers exposure to sustainability-related themes. Furthermore, this approach helps mitigate risks and increase transparency, as ESG-related risks have a measurable effect on market value and the reputation of a business. Through active management, the aim of the Sustainability Mandate is to generate attractive returns by investing along the CS House View while considering ESG values. The Sustainability Mandate integrates the Credit Suisse Sustainable Investment Framework into the investment process steps, creating a state-of-the-art portfolio solution for clients interested in sustainability investing.

 

Sustainable Global Equity Mandate
This direct equity solution offers exposure to companies following a sustainable approach, focusing on what a company produces and how they produce their goods and services. This approach helps mitigate risks and increase transparency, as ESG-related risks have a measurable effect on the market value and the reputation of a business. Through active management, the aim of the Sustainable Global Equity Mandate is to generate attractive returns while integrating ESG considerations. This particular mandate promotes environmental or social characteristics by integrating ESG factors in the investment decision making process. The bank combines the most material ESG factors with traditional financial analysis to make an ESG adjusted risk-return assessment, which serves as the basis for the portfolio construction. The Sustainable Global Equity Mandate integrates the Credit Suisse Sustainable Investment Framework into the investment process steps, creating a portfolio solution for clients interested in sustainable investing through direct equities.

Sustainable Thematic/ impact investing solutions

Climate Focus Mandate
This direct bonds solution predominantly offers exposure to Sustainable Thematic Bonds (debt securities) for which the proceeds are exclusively used to consider climate and environmental sustainability purposes. The Climate Focus Mandate focuses on five climate themes that seek out opportunities arising from climate change mitigation and adaption. The Climate Focus Mandate integrates the Credit Suisse Sustainable Investment Framework into the investment process steps, creating a state-of-the-art portfolio solution for clients interested in sustainability investing.

Sustainable Thematic Bonds Mandate
This direct bonds solution predominantly offers exposure to Sustainable Thematic Bonds (debt securities) for which the proceeds are used for both environmental and social purposes. The sustainable bond market is dominated by green bonds which will be the core of the portfolio, however, from time to time the opportunity arises to invest in other ESG labelled bonds. Sustainable Thematic Bonds Mandate integrates the Credit Suisse Sustainable Investment Framework into the investment process steps, creating a portfolio solution for clients interested in considering climate and environmental sustainability via Sustainable Thematic Bonds.

Additional information

 

Our mandate offering is a specific and bespoken agreement between the client and the bank which comes with a high level of investor discretion. The key metrics depend on various aspects such as e.g. client preferences, risk profiles and the chosen strategy.

 

Please reach out to your relationship manager to get more information.

 

Learn more about the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation

 

‘Investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may get back less than the amount you invested.‘