We know that the impact of the Coronavirus is being felt across the UK and is wide-ranging and our priorities remain the welfare of our staff and continuity of service for our clients. Our objective is to deliver these priorities while monitoring and adhering to UK Government’s advice and guidance relating to COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Curtis Banks is fully operational with a high number of staff working remotely. You can reach us via email or secure message from your portal account. Searching via our Contact page will help direct your message to the right team. Our phone lines are open but there might be a slight delay in answering your call. If you need to contact us via phone please search our Contact page to find the correct contact number.
If your query relates to the payment of rent on your SIPP property in your capacity as a connected tenant, please refer to the property section of our website where further details regarding rent payment provisions during the COVID-19 lockdown can be obtained. If you are an unconnected tenant, where your landlord is Suffolk Life or SLA Property Co Limited or you have been notified of a property administration transfer to our Ipswich offices, please refer any queries to propertycreditcontrolipswich@curtisbanks.co.uk. Where you receive invoices from Curtis Banks please email propertymanagement@curtisbanks.co.uk.
We remain here for you and the administration of your pension, during these extraordinarily busy times.
If you hold a pension plan with the Curtis Banks Group we understand you may have concerns about the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and how this has led to increased stock market volatility. As a result, you may be concerned that the value of investments have fallen. A SIPP is a tax efficient long-term savings product. It is worth considering any long-term impact on the growth of a pension and how this may be impacted by withdrawals to meet immediate needs. Before taking any action in regards to your SIPP, it is worth considering the following points:
- Although investment values in your SIPP may have fallen, it is only at the point of selling those investments that a loss is realised
- Selling when the market has fallen would mean potential future increases in the investment values are missed
- You may be concerned if you hold a property fund that has temporarily been suspended. In uncertain markets where property values may fluctuate, the FCA consider a suspension may be in the best interests of fund investors
- If you need cash in the short term, there may be other assets that are more suitable than a SIPP for meeting those short term needs(e.g. current account/ISA savings)
- If you are making regular contributions and investments into a SIPP, then these contributions may be able to buy investments at lower prices than before the market downturn
- If you do not have an adviser, we strongly recommend that you seek financial advice, in particular if you are concerned or worried about your SIPP or any other investments you may hold elsewhere. You can find an adviser by visiting https://www.unbiased.co.uk/
Update from Curtis Banks 24 March 2020
Rent concessions & suspension
Property purchase and ongoing property transactions: COVID-19
We want to keep your pension and your transactions with us safe. We always take your security seriously especially at a time when potential fraudsters are increasing the number of fraud attempts relating to the Coronavirus.
Our staff remain vigilant to the rise in scam messages and transactions but it is now as important as ever to keep your details safe online and when dealing with your pension.