I think that investors should take into consideration what happened globally;(financial crisis), when they want to invest their money nowadays.

This money or capital invested should be for a financial goal and an investment objective purpose, which will add positive value to their portfolios. Such as:

• Retirement plan

• Capital gains

• Financial planning

• Trust funds, real estate

• Mutual funds, and product structuring

All those are some examples, but the list go for longer. Generally investors search for such investment schemes. Investors have to think of certain aspects when they want to invest. They have to think of their financial goals and objectives in the short and long terms. They have to take into consideration their current financial situation and where they wish to be with their investments in the future. Most investors have to think more long term rather then short term to see beneficial returns on their investment decisions.

The criteria that they have to look after is the following talking in general:

1- The invested capital. How much to invest?

2- which bank or financial institution should they bank their assets with.

3- The risk/ reward ratio associated with these types of investment schemes.

4- The relationship manager, that will handle their accounts and offer them with the investments that are suitable for their financial attitude.(investment decisions).

5- The logical and tangible returns the investors really should expect depending on their selections to buy such investments.

We'll take each aspect stand alone and clarify it further in simple manner.

1. The invested capital

Investors really should think of the capital that they want to invest. It should be very carefully calculated as a percentage from the total wealth, so the investment decision would be the best one. They've to think of what is need for their families (expenses), and then determine about the amount of money to invest. We've got to calculate the amount based on the investor's current financial situation and the time horizon for this investment to expand (short or long term).

Then we will start the whole process for the investor. We have to spend this funds depending on 2 major aspects that may affect the output of this investment:

A. The investors risk tolerance.

Risk tolerance, is how much the investor can take or to which level he/ she can take of a lose on their invested capital. This possibility has to be very well calculated in order to know when to stop if we gone over a certain level or prior to even reaching that level of lose. There is certain mechanism that may be applied to do so by professionals in the field. The risk should be calculated, so we can calculate the rewards (returns).

B. The investment, financial schemes and the expected rate of return.

When the investor is investing the money, the investment schemes have to suit their investment experiences and risk tolerance. They have to understand what they ate getting themselves into. The investor's portfolio should be understood and also getting involved in it all along the process. This methodology of doing business will add beneficial value to the investor and enhance the dealing with the bank or the financial institution.

2. Which bank to do business with?

This can be a crucial aspect once investors would like to invest their funds. After the global financial crisis, investors were extremely puzzled and did not know which banks to rely on and do business with again. What have happened globally with the banking industry have taught us and made us realize some facts. The fact that the banking system and procedures are quite fragile. The system has caused us a disaster for all it matters.

On the other hand, the super visionary associations have taken an extremely huge role in adding to our problems with the gaps and shortages that they have in their own terms and conditions of how the banking, financial and investment business should and could be done.

Simply, the bank you should deal with should have some criteria that will give the investor the strength of taking a decision to work with:

1. Conservatism, in the way they utilize their cash flow and balance sheet statements.

2. Realize the investors demands and requirements. To work for the investor interest and not only for their own.

3. Cater to the investor investments, rather than think of their own profitability and stock price.

4. A track record bank in good and negative financial and investment sentiments in the market place.

5. The management that's running the bank.

6. Exceptional customer support and care.

The bank to work with and invest your money with should at a minimal level have those standards pointed out above.

3. The relationship manager that handles investors' accounts and investments.

A relationship manager should have certain factors that will support and qualify them to manage the investors' money:

A. Educated. (Business school, certifications in the field).

B. Knowledgeable in the financial and investment field, and know the how to do practice.

C. Experience for certain number of years, so they can add value to the investor.

D. Trustworthy, so the investor trusts to invest with the bank they represent.

E. Provide investors with the best financial solutions depending on their:

a. Financial situation

b. Risk tolerance

c. Investors attitude towards investment.

If and when the relationship supervisor has such elements then they are eligible to manage investors' capital with their banks.

4. The expected and total returns on the investment schemes

The financial returns and rewards on investments should be tangible and logical to be accomplished. The expected rate of return have to be calculated with the investor. The financial returns should be calculated based on specific aspects:

1. The investment scheme itself. (bonds, equities, private equity, trusts, cash, etc)

2. The financial returns must be achievable and real.

3. The financial returns need to be calculated depending on the investment time horizon.(short/long term).

4. The financial returns should be calculated net of inflation rate, fees related to the investment, and any other investment factors that might be added into the investment scheme.

5. The financial returns should also be calculated depending on geography, industry, sector and economic policies that might have an effect on the entire investment returns.

Financial returns have two factors:

1. Total returns, the final financial returns on the investment after subtracting all aspects that we talked about above. This would be the NET financial returns.

2. Expected returns, is what the investor would expect to get in financial returns over the investment once the process is initiated, prior to the actual investment is bought.

Finally, bankers should have one important thought when dealing with investors. They've to think first and for most in the investor best interest and then the banks or financial institutions that they represent. (profitability and bonuses).

Bankers, work hard for your clients, and not only for your banks and financial institutions.