Business Development Updates

05 June 2017

The Value of Advice - A nationwide call for client feedback

We have now received a large number of responses to our request for adviser input on the question of how your clients value the advice they receive. Thank you! If you completed this research we will send you our report on it shortly.

What do your clients think?

We are now expanding the scope of this study by asking clients their views. For this we need your help. Would you share this link with your clients? https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/H829K6T

We are asking the same of every UK financial adviser and the result will be an aggregated study of great value to the sector as a whole. Please note:-
·       Client responses will be treated with absolute confidence
·       We will not be asking for client’s names or contact details
·       Responses will come in directly to us and we will not identify responses by adviser

We will create a report on responses on an aggregate basis across all the responses we receive and send you your copy, of course.  So this is a national study looking at advised clients as whole.

To assist we have below a draft wording you may wish to use to send to your clients including the survey link.

Draft wording
 

Dear …..

We are taking part in a nationwide exercise to establish the value you see in the services you receive from your financial adviser. This is an entirely confidential exercise coordinated by an independent research company, Adviser Home Ltd. We will not see your individual responses but we will be very interested to learn from the results overall and if you would like a copy of this then just let me know.
The survey should take you just two or three minutes. Would you please complete it by ……….. (Allow five days from issue)
To take part click on this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/H829K6T
Thanks for your help with this

26 May 2017

How investors can take care of inheritance tax headaches

Inheritance tax intake could top £6.2 billion annually by 2022, according to the latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts. The increase is attributed to both UK house prices and the continued growth of UK stock markets, which has defied expectations in recent months. Many of your clients could be sitting on significant gains. Unfortunately, a large chunk of their investments could end up as inheritance tax liabilities.

In this tax planning insight, Jessica Franks (Octopus Business Line Manager for Inheritance Tax Products) explains why rising inheritance tax receipts present a huge advice opportunity. The biggest impact could come from helping investors with large sums in share portfolios and ISAs in particular. Given that more than six million of the UK’s 23 million ISA holders are 65 or older, there are plenty of clients who could benefit from taking a more comprehensive estate planning approach, including making their ISAs inheritance tax-exempt. Read more>>

24 May 2017

Webinar Invitation - How to manage risk and return

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of the launch of the Allianz RiskMaster Multi Asset Funds you are invited to join this webinar on Tuesday 30th May 10-00 am. The webinar will cover:
 
1) The biggest challenges for multi asset managers over the last 5 years
2) How the AllianzGI  multi asset team manage volatility and return to match specific client risk profiles
3) The AllianzGI outlook for the second half of 2017
 

 
More about RiskMaster
 
If you would like to learn more about the 5th anniversary of the RiskMaster Funds and how they have delivered for investors you can visit>> 

19 May 2017

Cyber Attack

Cyber Attack - Consider liability insurance  - most PII policies DO NOT provide  comprehensive Cyber Liability cover

Friday’s global cyber-attack that infected over 200,000 victims, including our NHS, has led many businesses to evaluate their IT systems and installed software. 

Robust risk management of systems and software obviously mitigates exposure to a Cyber-attack – unfortunately nothing can be 100% secure from attack.

Why is specialist cover needed? Most PII policies DO NOT provide comprehensive Cyber Liability cover. View here - 10 reasons to buy cyber cover.

Did you know that this Cyber liability insurance package from O3 starts from as little as £1275* plus tax?
 
O3 Insurance Cyber Insurance package includes

Access to a 24/7 Incident Response Centre Dedicated contact assigned to support you from the time of any attack to conclusion Funds Transfer Fraud System Damage Extortion Regulatory Fines and Legal Costs Management Liability

Next Steps

You can see here full details of the Cyber Incident Response Service and an application.

It’s simple to apply, merely complete the application return to any of the O3 cyber account executives and they will provide your Cyber Liability quotation within 48 to 72 hours.

Alternatively, to discuss further please contact O3 Insurance Solutions:

[email protected]        020 3818 9066

[email protected]  020 3818 9069

O3 Insurance Solutions provide professional indemnity insurance to financial planning and wealth management professionals. They have over 30 years’ experience serving the financial services community.

*Note - The premium guide above is for Adviser firms with an annual turnover of up to £1,000,000 for £250,000 limit of indemnity – limits can be tailored to your requirements

08 May 2017

Investment Intelligence Seminars

03 May 2017

May 2017 Barometer - Download Market Views from Pictet

Resilient global economic recovery reinforces Pictet’s overweight stance on stocks; bonds cut to underweight.

Highlights
·       Stocks to draw strength from buoyant growth
·       Europe attractive but not the US
·       Fixed income: euro high yield not high enough
·       Global markets overview: equities march higher

Download the May edition of Barometer here

28 April 2017

So value investing is back in vogue!!

You could argue that investing in under-appreciated companies with quality balance sheets and benefitting from good yield and growth should never be out of style.

Why though should a value approach be applied only to equities and not across a whole range of asset classes?

In fixed income applying a value approach could mean avoiding Gilts and investment grade corporates but finding value in high yield short duration bonds.

In other asset classes, this approach could see you favouring REITs, renewable energy vehicles and infrastructure investments.

What about risk?

Value investing by its very nature should mean never buying at the top of the market it also means conducting research to find the value in companies bonds and markets that other investors may not yet see.

There are a number of equity “value” managers in the market but few offering a Multi-Asset approach….
Why restrict good thinking to just one asset class!
 

Want to know more?

Seneca are experts in Multi-Asset investing with a value approach visit their website at www.senecaim.com or take the time to read Seneca CIO Peter Elston’s latest investment letter here>>

Or

 

 

Arrange a 10-minute informative chat about Seneca funds and approach?

Call or email Helen Oloughlin Seneca Business Development Consultant on:

0151 906 2483 or [email protected] 

24 April 2017

Register for these seminars on how to build your practice with high net worth clients

Find out how to maximise opportunities from high net worth individuals with these upcoming seminars from Russell Investments.
 
In these CPD accredited events, Russell investments will delve into how to segment your client book to identify your best clients, deliver practical interactive tools to give your HNW meetings a boost and offer you an analysis service to give you an edge when attracting the best clients in a competitive marketplace.
 
What to expect from Russell Investments Academy

Practical techniques to identify your best clients Ideas on how to efficiently service your lower value clients to free up more of your time Interactive tools you can use to deliver a new type of client review meeting Economic forecasts to reassure nervous clients Practical tools to help you win new HNW clients

 
Book your place now
 
This free event will start at 09:30am, with breakfast included and conclude at 13:30pm after a buffet lunch. By attending this event you will receive 2.5 hours of CPD.

Register now to secure your place. You are welcome to bring along your colleagues or professional connections too.

Any questions?
 
If you have any questions please email [email protected] or call  020 7024 6601.
 
Reaction from advisers:

20 April 2017

The big advice opportunity - continuity planning part 2

16 April 2017

Engaging with your clients on some of the worlds mega trends

Considering themes in investments is one way to seek better long term growth whilst engaging with your clients on some of the biggest trends.

Here, from Pictet, is a series of links to some high quality, genuinely thoughtful articles:-

1.       6 articles covering digital, tech and robotic development. View>>

2.       Digital Disruption – The Internet of Things. View>>

3.       The Water Theme. Pictet’s strategies – investing in companies solving the world’s water challenge. View>>

4.        MEGA. This is an online resource produced in partnership with Pictet – it covers the mega trends effecting the world – many if not all of which have a clear economic and investment impact. Take a look – block chain, innovation, water, energy, the blue economy and more. View>>
 

 

Read more about Pictet
Contact your Pictet BDM here>>

07 April 2017

Russell Academy - structure your business for success

Russell Investments is a global asset manager with a commitment to adviser support and education.

The Russell Academy has helped thousands of advisers here and abroad – focusing on business planning and growth.

To find out more

Go here for details of a quick “business health check” and more on the modules on offer in the Academy.

03 April 2017

Protect your clients wealth with trust administration support

  Transact is expanding its trust services to support you in developing your trust-related business. Trusts can provide your clients with a number of benefits including bloodline protection and tax efficiency. They can also help to secure long-standing relationships with your clients whilst generating additional fee income.

Transact is building systems and resources to support you at every stage of the trust process, from writing the trust arrangement and setting up the trust portfolio, through to the long-term management of the trust.

Trust services currently include:

•    Ongoing access to in-house support from Transact’s Technical Support Team
•    Comprehensive trust template documents and online guidance
•    Details of third party trust service providers such as Solidus, a leading specialist in client trust solutions, and trust bank accounts including Metro Bank and Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank
•    Integration of client Portfolio and trust details 
•    Automatic recording of all trust related transactions (off-platform assets can also be recorded manually) 

These are in addition to the wealth of resources planned for the upcoming TrustZone – an online area dedicated purely to making trust administration as straightforward as possible.   User view
David Batchelor FHD.APFS.CFP, Principal at Wills & Trusts Chartered Financial Planners:
 
“I can’t express how pleased we are with the work that Transact is doing in this field. For several years we have been battling with the paperwork involved in trust administration, and at long last someone is coming to our rescue with a comprehensive and easy-to-use trust administration service. When the full system is ready, Transact will save us thousands of hours of administration which can only be hugely positive for our clients.”   Find out more:
See Transact’s Trust Administration Support page here>> which includes a wealth of resources and tools to help you get started.

Talk to Transact:
To speak to a Transact Business Development Manager, please email [email protected]  or call 0207 608 5350.   Want to see more about how Transact Online works?
Try a demo here>>    

29 March 2017

Access this dynamic fund selection system

CleverAdviser is a unique technology, which helps you deliver an outstanding investment service that your clients can count on. Leaving you more time to focus on the things that are important to them, like their financial goals and aspirations.

We have spent some time with CleverAdviser to understand their appeal and value to our adviser community and think that you will be very interested in it too.

Each month the CleverAdviser system collects and examines information from over 4,000 UK registered funds.  It monitors individual client funds, checking whether each is doing well – or not so well – and objectively selects new funds to replace underperforming ones.

By analysing millions of pieces of fund data per month, the system uses algorithms and data, rather than human instinct and emotion, to help you, the IFA recommend decisions on fund selections to your clients

By using an analytical, evidence-based approach, CleverAdviser aims to reduce the influence that reactionism, short-termism and subjectivity can have on the investment decision-making process.

Watch this short video to see exactly how it works.

Want to hear more about Clever?
If you’d like to hear more about how the system works, and its success to date, the best way is to arrange a demo with one of the experts at CleverAdviser. Click here>> 

16 March 2017

An alternative approach for Investment Income

Many advisers are telling us that they have never been busier with investors seeking retirement advice and that many of those investors are looking for income.

With this in mind perhaps now is the time for advisers to review their approach to generating investment income and seek out alternatives.

Multi-Asset managers have been quietly delivering attractive consistent income for many years whilst taking risk of approximately half that of the FTSE 100.

The increasing need for income

One result of pension reforms is an increasing number of investors entering invested drawdown for their retirement rather than more traditional annuity based solutions.

This has meant that the need for sustainable consistent investment income within a low volatility framework has never been higher.

Challenges to traditional low volatility income sources 

With increasing market uncertainty, rising inflation predicted and the reality of a prolonged bear market for traditional low volatility income sources such as gilts and investment grade bonds, advisers are starting to review and consider alternative approaches to meet income needs.

An alternative approach

Investing in value equity stocks and funds with higher yield fixed income approaches is just part of the story.

Combining this with alternative investments delivers not only the income but also the increased diversification to reduce overall volatility and risk.

Investing in Alternatives

Alternatives can cover a wide range of assets but Seneca has specialised in Property, Infrastructure, Specialist Financials and Private Equity investments.

So from financing the building of specialist health care properties, the running of wind farms or the leasing of aircraft and trains you can be certain that the Seneca investment team is searching wider, researching and selecting relevant opportunities to deliver on investor expectations.

Seneca are experts in Multi-Asset investing with a long heritage in meeting investor needs whilst balancing volatility and risk to grow their capital over the medium term.
 
Unlocking income from a wide range of sources 

If you are considering alternative approaches for client income, review how Seneca search wider. Click here>>

01 March 2017

Aegon - The Big Advice Opportunity - Continuity Planning (part 1)

Webinar 1

Join Nathan Douse, Aegon Protection Development Manager, on Wednesday 15 March at 9.30am, as he talks you through the importance of continuity planning for businesses.

Whether you’re taking your first steps into this market, looking to refresh your understanding and build your confidence or looking to develop your skills and knowledge – Aegon’s series of three webinars has something for everyone.

Webinar 1 – Continuity Planning (part 1)

In the first of three 30-minute webinars highlighting the opportunities in the corporate market, Nathan will explain the need for and importance of your clients having continuity plans in place.

Focussing on corporate loan protection and director loans, he’ll discuss risk assessment and how to calculate the appropriate levels of cover. Nathan will also provide you with the tools and support you need to discuss and implement continuity planning with your clients.

There will be a live Q&A facility available at the end of the webinar and the session will qualify for 30 minutes CPD.

 

21 February 2017

CPD Webinar: don't dash from cash

Why it’s worth advising on cash
 
As a nation, we have £145bn saved away in fixed-term deposits.* But it's earning next to nothing – with the average ‘high street’ bank paying a meagre 0.55%.** Finding your clients a better rate on their savings can be a hassle, for what might seem like little reward.

But what if there was an easy way to give your clients a rate they’ll thank you for, while growing – and protecting – your client bank at the same time?
 
Webinar
Join Octopus for their upcoming webinar on Wednesday 1st March at 11am, to learn how you can extract value from the UK’s fast-changing savings market, find out more about their new savings product, Octopus Cash, and pick up an hour’s CPD along the way.
 
What’s Octopus Cash?
Launched this month, Octopus Cash is a one-year savings account that allows clients of financial advisers to earn a rate that’s nearly double the high street average, while maximising their FSCS coverage. What are the features?
 
1.      Great rate: a fixed-term account that pays over 1%.
 
2.      FSCS protected: Octopus will spread your clients' money across multiple banks so they can save up to £255,000 and still enjoy full FSCS protection.
 
3.      Hassle-free: forget the admin and paperwork of setting up lots of different accounts. Your clients need only open one account with Octopus, and they’ll do the rest.
 
To find out more, download the brochure and create client illustrations, visit the website – or call the Octopus Cash team on 0800 294 6848. Alternatively, get in touch with your local Business Development Manager here. 
 
The webinar will be eligible for one hour of continuous professional development.
 
*FCA (2015)
**‘High street’ defined as the ‘Big Five’ banks: RBS (including NatWest); Santander; Barclays; HSBC (including First Direct) and Lloyds. 0.55 per cent is the averaged out one-year savings rate paid by these banks in January 2017.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: For the use of professional advisers only. Not to be relied upon by retail investors. Octopus Cash is offered by Octopus Co-Lend Ltd., 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT – which is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA registration number 722801). Octopus Cash is managed on a day to day basis by Octopus Institutional Deposits Limited (Company registration number 10163532). Money placed via Octopus Cash will be with UK PRA regulated credit institutions.