Inflation is on the horizon, so Gold is bubbling to the fore of investors’ thoughts again, naturally. And while investment has traditionally been a Man’s world, over the last few years things have changed dramatically. Women have been taking a far more active role in investing and finance, or at least things were looking good till COVID-19 hit us.
Gold, as the latest stories show, is currently running below what the market expects it to be in 2021. In fact, Yahoo Finance go so far as calling Gold “Rip-Snortin’ Cheap”. Not something you hear everyday.
The last time Gold was where it is today was back in 2011. The Money Supply back then equalled $9.5 trillion and the Gold supply was 175k tonnes. Interestingly, over the last almost 10 years, while money has doubled, the supply of Gold is only 14% higher.
Worth considering those numbers, isn’t it?
In the meantime, further news developed last month when Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed the first woman and first African director-general of the World Trade Organization.
One of the organisations that supports the success of ladies like Ngozi is the WealthiHer Network. They are also involved with Gold, as of last week.
World Gold Council Joins WealthiHer Network
The WealthiHer Network announced last week (23 February 2021) that The World Gold Council, the market development organization for the gold industry, has joined as its latest partner.
“We’re on a mission to drive the economic advancement of women on a global stage and collaboration and partnership are essential to helping us achieve our aims.
“I am therefore delighted to announce The World Gold Council as our latest partner. Its impressive commitment to integrity, transparency and trust across the gold industry is a perfect match for our own strong beliefs, particularly when it comes to recognising the value of women,” said Tamara Gillan, CEO, WealthiHer Network.
Founded in 2019 the Network is an essential force for change, championing the transformation of the financial industry’s approach. In turn, helping women to be more understood, accepted and catered for and in doing so, providing support to protect and grow their wealth.
Its 2020/21 report ‘The Changing Faces of Women’s Wealth’, which examined the changing face of women’s financial aims and needs, found that:
- A third of women in the UK still think the finance industry is a man’s world
- This despite the fact a third of the world’s wealth is currently held by women
- Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted women, with 62% saying financial plans have been affected, including retirement plans
- 54% of women now regard health and happiness as top priorities over other factors such as financial success
- A third of women see money as a way of making a difference – with 84% wanting business investments to be environmentally friendly or socially responsible
- However 75% of women struggle with self-esteem – a figure that is growing
These statistics are further compounded by the knock-on impact of the Coronavirus pandemic which has disproportionately impacted women given their family and care responsibilities, job security and economic challenges.
Alarmingly, women are nearly twice as likely as men to have lost their jobs or quit because of the impacts of Covid-19. And 67% of women are feeling more stretched than ever before.
“Now more than ever we need to support women and help change their financial outlook as well as encouraging them to protect and grow their wealth, personally and professionally. A year into the worldwide Covid pandemic, with women affected so disproportionately, redressing this imbalance couldn’t be a more important ambition for the WealthiHer Network,” added Tamara.
“Our Report clearly demonstrates that women are feeling less financially savvy, are struggling with self-esteem but really want to make a difference financially in what is still perceived as a man’s world. We need to act fast and act now.”
Claire Lincoln, Head of Sales, EMEA, World Gold Council said: “Feeling misunderstood and misrepresented is frustratingly common in the financial services sector and others as well. But it can be overcome.
“The World Gold Council is committed to demystifying misconceptions in order to break down barriers, and as a new partner of the WealthiHer Network, we champion the importance of equipping women with knowledge and support to help them advance both financially and professionally.”
What options does Gold offer women?
With so many high risk investments touted on the internet every single day, there is a chance to lower risk exposure when investing. We asked Jason Cozens, Founder & CEO of Glint, to comment on the opportunities for women who are interested in Gold:
“Whilst there’s finally a greater awareness of social inequalities, the rampant financial inequality that punishes consumers often goes unnoticed. Anything that highlights this and works as a force for change to give everyone an equal opportunity to prosper should be applauded.”
“Unfortunately, most consumers have been punished by banks for too long.
“The money we entrust to banks is put at risk and our savings lose value through a combination of historically low interest rates, rising inflation and government interference which devalues global currencies, through borrowing and the creation of more money through quantitative easing. All of these factors erode our purchasing power.”
“The WealthiHer Network’s research shows that women have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, through job losses and financial insecurity; this demonstrates the urgent need for consumers to ensure that they take steps to take control of their finances.
“This insecurity and desire to maintain long-term purchasing power is one of the main drivers behind the rise in alternative currencies such as gold, which through Glint’s app and Mastercard® can now be used every day, to save and help hedge against inflation, but also to spend again, as an everyday currency, for the first time in centuries.”
Inflation often comes hand-in-hand with a rise in Gold prices. That doesn’t mean the same will apply today, but looking at history there is a high chance.
Have you looked at Gold? Maybe you should
Author: Andy Samu
Further information about Glint
Glint Pay Services Ltd. (glintpay.com) is a fintech company, based in London, Boulder (US) and Tokyo, that uses gold as an alternative global currency to enable its clients instantly to buy, sell, save, spend and now, share their physical gold and other currencies, through the Glint Mastercard® and Glint App.
Glint offers no credit facilities, it allows users to transfer, receive and save real gold, which is secured in Brink’s vaults in Switzerland.
Glint is authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority which has given permission for Glint to issue electronic money (e-money) and provide payment services (FRN 900657).
Gold is not regulated by the FCA. However, Glint’s clients know their gold is secured in a Brinks Vault in Switzerland. Brinks is insured by Lloyds of London and their policy covers the replacement value of Glint client’s Gold as held in their vault.
The Glint card is issued by Glint Pay Services Ltd pursuant to licence by Mastercard International Inc.
Whilst we strongly believe that gold is the fairest and most reliable currency on the planet, we obviously need to point out that it isn’t 100% risk free. Whilst we have seen a steady increase over time, the value of gold can fall, which means the purchasing power of the customer can also fall.
Further information about the WealthiHer Network
The WealthiHer Network is a group of change agents from the world of finance, who have come together to drive positive change, championing female investors, entrepreneurs and clients and celebrating the diversity of women’s wealth. It includes some of the world’s biggest banks and insurers, collaborating to make the financial world more female focused.
It was launched in UK in 2019, with collaborations with female entrepreneurs such as Anya Hindmarch and Terry de Gunzberg and some of the most inspiring female leaders in the finance sector globally.
The partners of Wealthiher include
Brewin Dolphin, Brown Advisory, Chubb, HSBC Private Banking, Irwin Mitchell J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Julius Baer, Kleinwort Hambros, RBC, Reddings Wealth Management, St. James Place Wealth Management, Tilney and The World Gold Council.
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