Business Development Updates

15 February 2017

Where do your clients invest when they feel... ...stuck between a rock and a hard place?

Against a backdrop of low interest rates, rising inflation and market uncertainty there are some tough decisions to be made when it comes to reviewing ISA investments.

The Prudential ISA, with improved online functionality and access to the PruFund range of funds may be the solution to this dilemma. 

And while no equity type investment is immune from severe market volatility, the PruFund’s range of funds which invest in Prudential's With-Profits fund, are designed to spread risk through a unique smoothing process. This may help protect your clients from some of the short-term ups and downs of market fluctuations.

Find out more about how these funds have performed. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. Your clients may get back less than has been paid in. 

Helping you make the most of your client conversations

Take a closer look at Prudential’s dedicated microsite which has all the information you need to assist with your client conversations. 

You can also take a look for yourself to see how easy it is to do ISA business with Prudential, view their demo.

The value of investments are not guaranteed and can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount of their original investment.

Support for client tax planning 

Prudential’s Technical Managers have identified the types of client and the opportunities to explore in the run up to the end of tax year. To help you maximise these opportunities, Prudential can provide you with a number of support items for relevant product areas. View here>>

03 February 2017

Providing advice to an ageing population

The FCA discussion paper on Ageing client and advice DP16/1 asks “how can firms  adapt to meet the advice needs of an ageing population“

This paper covers a broad range of advice and financial issues affecting an ageing population and those involved in retirement advice should familiarise themselves and consider how they will adapt their business to accommodate an ageing client base.

Central to the paper’s themes are the growing number of retirees seeking advice, with more using investment products than ever before.

Increasing longevity and with it the need to provide clients with sustainable income from their retirement savings in a simple and adaptable way is a key element to planning in this areas -  even more so given the impact of pension reform.

Historically annuities were the dominant solution used for those wanting certainty and simplicity but with declining rates as a result of rising longevity and pension reforms, desire for these solutions has fallen dramatically.

So what are the options?

One option for advisers could be a simple Multi- Asset approach.

The advantages of a Multi-Asset approach are that some are designed specifically for targeting income and preserving long term capital whilst the diversity of assets can reduce volatility.            

This combination can prove very attractive for those investing for retirement income.

When considering these approaches advisers should review

-          The experience and credentials of the manager.

-          Is the client outcome clear and in line with the investors needs: has it been delivered historically?

-          Is the portfolio transparent: is it clear what is being invested in and why?

-          Is the Investment process simple and in being so both understandable and explainable?

Multi-Asset income solutions are a simple, efficient and cost effective way of delivering a diverse portfolio of income producing assets with outcomes and risks in line with clients’ needs.

Want to know more?

Seneca Investment Managers are experts in Multi-Asset Investing for income and have a long track record of meeting and exceeding client income objectives.

Find out more by visiting Seneca IM

Please remember the views expressed here are current at the time of writing and may change. They do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of investors and are not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to invest. The value of investments and any income will fluctuate and investors may not get back the full amount invested.

Seneca Investment Managers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered in England No. 4325961 with its registered office at 10th Floor, Horton House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, L2 3YL. FP17/25

02 February 2017

Spending too much time processing protection applications? Want to find ways to increase your protection business?

LifeQuote has been offering a comprehensive application and administration service since 2001. We are the protection service of choice for many advisers throughout the UK from specialist IFAs right up to some of the largest networks in the UK. We’ve designed our service to improve the efficiency of your business by reducing your workload and saving you on average 3 hours per application.

 

LifeQuote provides you with support at every stage, from product information to pre-sales research and our case tracking facility provides you with real time updates and access to important documents.

 

You may have seen in the press that we recently launched integrated services with iPipeline SolutionBuilder and IRESS XPLAN Mortgage to make it easier for advisers to take advantage of the LifeQuote services without the need to change any back office systems or quoting portal.

 

Want to find out more? Click to join one of our upcoming free webinars on Tuesday 21st February at 10am or Wednesday 22nd February at 2pm. Alternatively sign up for a free trial here.

Put LifeQuote to the test Apply for an agency and try out the LifeQuote application and administration services. Click here for the application form.  

13 January 2017

Transact price reductions - from 1 April 2017

Transact are again reducing their charges from 1 April 2017.

Here’s what’s changing:
·       Annual Commission charge reducing from 0.31% to 0.30%
·       Charging threshold of £150,000 reducing to £120,000.

These reductions mean that all clients with single or joint Portfolios over the value of £60,000 are set to see a reduction in their Transact charges.

As a monetary example, with both reductions considered, a Transact client with a Portfolio value of £120k is set to pay approximately £126 less per annum - a saving of over 25%.
 

New Annual Commission table from 1 April 2017:

Single or consolidated Portfolio(s) up to £120k

 

Investments

Cash

£0-£60,000

0.50%

0.45%

> £60,000 - £120,000

0.30%

0.29%

 

Single or consolidated Portfolio(s) over £120k

 

Investments

Cash

£0-£600,000

0.30%

0.29%

>£600,000- £1,200,000

0.20%

0.18%

On the remainder

0.075%

0.0675%

For full details please see the Commissions and Charges Schedule, available on request or to download from Transact Online.

Value for money
 

Whilst reducing charges, Transact is proud to maintain their award-winning level of service. This means that you, and your clients, can continue to benefit from everything Transact has to offer - for less:

•    No hidden fees – everything is transparent and up-front
•    Innovative functionality – such as Investor Authorisation
•    Wide range of Wrappers and investment options – including 3rd party options from     
     80+ Discretionary Investment Management and 100+ SIPP providers
•    Direct access to the Technical Services team
•    Fast and responsive platform – accessible via desktop or mobile device
•    Monthly platform enhancements.

Transact can provide help and support should you wish to switch any clients to Transact.

To find out more:
Contact Sales Support on 020 7608 5350 or [email protected] 

12 December 2016

Investment Intelligence Seminars Q1 2017

You are invited to join Invesco Perpetual for year 20 of their Investment Intelligence Seminars - from January 10th to the 9th of March. 

You are invited to join Invesco Perpetual as they reach the 20th year of their Investment Intelligence Seminars. At these events, longstanding speakers, Neil Dobson and Neal Bailey will tackle topical issues, deal with the questions your clients are asking you and drill deeper into global markets to understand the economic and political factors at play.

Round 1 will reflect on how markets have reacted to an eventful 2016 before looking to the year ahead. With a new President in the White House, continuing Brexit negotiations and elections across Europe, there will be plenty to discuss.

Attendance will qualify you for 80 minutes of structured CPD. We hope you can join - you have a choice of 63 events across the UK.

01 December 2016

Key reasons why Transact could help build your business

When Transact launched the first wrap service in 2000, they started something of a revolution. Since then they’ve continued to lead the market and enhance their service offering, providing:

The widest wrapper range The widest fund range -  access to more than 14,000 funds Competitive pricing and family linking to consolidate Portfolios for charging purposes A platform updated monthly, with unrivalled functionality for advisers and their clients1 Comprehensive reporting A full suite of forms that can be pre-populated and VAT capability on adviser payments Regionally aligned adviser support from over 150 Client Service Managers Unlimited, direct access to their Technical Services team Support from Business Development and Adviser Support Managers

Transact also offer:

Full model portfolio capability - all online Links to over 100 Discretionary Investment Managers plus 100+ SIPP providers and other third parties Integration with major back office service providers A developing trust proposition with access to trust administration service providers

All these developments are designed to help you build your business – improving processes and saving you hours of time and effort.

Nine price reductions in the last 8 years based upon responsible pricing - reducing prices without ever impacting on their ability to deliver award-winning service. Advisory professionals have rated Transact as the leading platform for the last 7 years in independent technology surveys conducted by both CoreData and Investment Trends.   A sustainable, profitable platform achieving an “Excellent”  rating in the 2016 FinalitiQ Profitability report.     Transact will help you prepare detailed due diligence reports explaining why Transact may be the best choice for your clients. 

1 – Transact was rated top for functionality, top Large and Overall platform for the seventh consecutive year in the CoreData Investment Platform Study 2016.

Contact Transact
To meet with your regional Business Development Manager or attend a Connect Event
Please contact Transact Sales Support on (020) 7680 5350 or email, [email protected] 

22 November 2016

Help shape our 2017 Business Development Campaign - Win a Fortnum and Mason Hamper

 

 

We would like your input to help decide which types of content we include in this campaign. Our objective is to showcase ideas, support and initiatives from provider firms – leading to a Flip Book on www.adviserhome.com  with content from a range of providers.    

 

 

 

 

 

We are asking here just 5 questions – which business areas you would like to see us focus on – and how you’d like to see us help you develop your practice. 

And to acknowledge your help with this we will enter you into a prize draw to win a Fortnum and Masons Christmas Hamper. If you’d like more detail on our prize draw just click here>>

Enter now and help us support your 2017 plans.

Thanks – your help is much appreciated 

16 November 2016

How to develop your corporate protection practice?

Why corporate business has such potential commercial value
·       The corporate client has value not only as a corporate entity, but as an opening for personal advice for the senior executives, and of course for the staff as a whole. As a result, a single corporate client can offer multiple revenue streams ‘under one roof’.
·       Corporate business tends to require more adviser expertise, with in some cases, more complex solutions.
·       Corporate business is less susceptible to direct sales or servicing – it is the traditional stronghold of the adviser sector.

Why Corporate Protection?
·       Managing or insuring risks around business continuity and succession planning can help ensure the continued prosperity of your corporate clients.
·       Corporate Protection can also be a valuable way to create an initial corporate client relationship.
·       Your professional connections naturally place great value on their own corporate clients. Identifying and helping manage the various risks these clients face is an important aspect of creating and nurturing your professional connections.

Support for you in developing your corporate protection practice
·       We have worked with Aegon to bring you a range of support material, sales ideas, videos and presentations including corporate approach letters.
·       Aegon have specialist consultants dedicated to helping you develop your corporate protection business. They can offer assistance with planning your strategy, identification of opportunities and practical day-to-day help with particular cases.

What next?
Visit the Aegon Corporate Protection zone on Adviser Home to access this support material and get contact details.

09 November 2016

Trump reaction - detailed analysis and investment consequences from Pictet Asset Management

In brief: Donald Trump’s shock victory in the US election could transform the investment landscape.  While his plans to deliver fiscal stimulus and tax cuts could provide a much-needed boost to growth, his views on global trade should concern investors.

Read this excellent balanced review from the Pictet AM Strategy Unit.

Headlines from this document

Protectionist Trump – no friend of trade Silver linings – tax cuts and infrastructure investment Wider deficit, higher inflation,  higher rates Trump’s pledges and the investment consequences – a summary table US industrial, healthcare stocks  could shine Bonds to struggle Political risks hold sway

Contact Pictet
To contact one of the Pictet Business Development Team you’ll find all the details here>>

07 November 2016

Maximise your earnings potential? Tried and tested support? Flexibility to be your own boss? Interested?

If you are a self-motivated, successful wealth adviser who wants to be their own boss and build your own business then our client, Mint Wealth Management, would love to talk to you.

Mint Wealth Management are a leading Wealth Management company that prides itself on providing clients with the highest levels of customer service and advice. Advisers are self-employed but enjoy the support of a successful team and a wide range of resources that are difficult to match.

They are keen to expand their existing network of advisers around the country and are keen to talk to advisers who have an existing client bank and a desire to move their business to the next level.

To find out more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Martin Lees, business principal on 07970 721512 / [email protected] for an initial conversation.

30 October 2016

Brooks Macdonald is pleased to announce that the IFSL North Row Liquid Property Fund has been assigned a risk profile of 5 by Distribution Technology

Distribution Technology’s Dynamic Planner Fund Risk Profiles are used by thousands of advisers in the UK.  Their analysis of portfolios is robust, well presented and is updated quarterly so advisers can be confident that the risk rating is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains the most appropriate.  
 
Distribution Technology’s methodology
DT’s asset allocation methodology is based on the principles of modern portfolio theory. The risk profiles provided by DT are risk profiles of the long-term asset allocations adopted by the fund in question. A fund is assigned a risk profile between 1 and 10; with 10 being the riskiest.  
 
About the Fund
The IFSL North Row Liquid Property Fund is an alternative to core bricks and mortar funds with an innovative investment approach. The fund’s approach to property investing enables the manager to gain exposure to predominantly UK commercial property assets via capital markets, rather than physical exposure, which results in a liquid fund. The fund can remain fully invested (alleviating concerns over cash drag) and can be fully sold down in less than a day.
 
Risk management
As part of the fund’s risk management process, specific property asset class allocation limits have been determined. These limits provide protection from excessive exposure to assets with non-normal return characteristics while also allowing for diversification to offset potential undesired risks.
 
About North Row Capital
A subsidiary of Brooks Macdonald, North Row Capital is a boutique investment manager dedicated to offering funds that provide liquid exposure to assets that are physical and therefore traditionally difficult to trade quickly and easily.
 
If you would like more information about Brooks Macdonald or the IFSL North Row Capital Liquid Property Fund, contact Andrew Pope using the details below.
 
T: 020 7408 5523
E: [email protected]

19 October 2016

Smart ways to grow your tax-planning business

Join an Octopus workshop today

Find out how tax-efficient investing could benefit your clients at an Octopus tax-planning workshop including:

How investing in Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) supports some of Britain’s brightest start-up businesses and can help your clients reduce their tax liabilities. How investing in companies that qualify for Business Property Relief could help your clients’ estate planning by reducing their inheritance tax liabilities. Case studies that could help you decide which investment opportunities may be suitable to recommend to your clients. A demonstration of a new app that can generate tax-planning illustrations based on your clients’ investment objectives.  Details of tax-efficient investments, including Octopus Titan VCT and the Octopus AIM Inheritance Tax Service ISA.

The ‘roundtable’ format gives you an opportunity to ask questions and share your client stories. There’ll be refreshments and each workshop is eligible for two hours of structured Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Places at these workshops are limited, so please book now. You’re welcome to bring colleagues or professional connections too. Use this link to find your nearest venue:

Here to help
If you have any questions, please contact your local business development manager or call 0800 316 2067. If you don’t know who your BDM contact is, the Octopus Sales Support team would be happy to help.
 
Octopus look forward to seeing you there.

12 October 2016

Enhance your client service and streamline your own business process

27 September 2016

Free guide to Investment Strategies powered by Global Mega Trends

Order your free copy of this definitive guide to Thematic Investing

This Guide to thematic investment driven by global mega trends offers a new way of developing your clients’ investment portfolios. The guide is a 60 page document available as hard copy for your retention and reference. If you complete these brief details Pictet Asset Management will send your copy within 10 working days.

13 September 2016

Is there a case for clients transferring from their DB schemes

Pensions Freedom has caused a number of clients to reconsider their Defined Benefit pensions, attracted to greater access to their pension funds. But the transfer analysis process is complex and requires specialist expertise. If you have clients for whom such a process might be worthwhile you may have in house expertise and permissions or if not you may consider working with a specialist firm like Easy Financial Planning (you can talk to Easy and find out more about how they can help you here>>)

 
DB pensions can be complex in structure, often difficult to interpret and usually contain several benefits and guarantees. If you do not have the right permissions, or simply wish for some specialist support then Easy Financial Planning can help.
 
About Easy Financial Planning
 
Easy Financial Planning are pension transfer experts helping to take the headache out of Pension transfers. Easy have spent the last 10 years helping financial advisers through the complex world of pensions by allowing them to completely outsource the data gathering and advice process – whilst letting them retain control of their client. To talk to Easy and find out more about how they can help you go here>>

13 September 2016

Octopus Titan VCT: backing Britain's brightest businesses

With over £300 million in assets under management, Octopus Titan VCT is the largest Venture Capital Trust (VCT) in the UK*. It targets high levels of capital growth, with a strong track record of converting investment performance into tax-free dividends for investors. 

Because of its size and track record, it’s able to attract some of the best entrepreneurs and management teams who are looking to build their businesses. This is reflected in the successful exits the VCT has seen in recent months. In 2016 alone, Octopus Titan VCT has had three significant realisations from portfolio company sales including SwiftKey to Microsoft, Vision Direct to Essilor and Magic Pony Technology to Twitter. More importantly for investors, these exits enabled Octopus to pay out a 7p dividend in April in addition to the recently announced interim dividend of 2p, which will be paid on 2 September 2016.

New share offer now open 

Octopus Titan VCT is seeking to raise up to £70 million, with the potential for a further £50 million, subject to demand. More details can be found in the brochure or by attending one of the upcoming webinars (further information on these below). 
 
Discounts available

•    Investors who apply for new shares before 13 December 2016 will receive a 1% ‘early bird’ discount on the initial fee.   
•    In addition, to thank clients who have already invested with Octopus, they are offering a 1% loyalty discount on the initial fee if they make a new investment in Octopus Titan VCT. These discounts can be combined for eligible clients.     

Now you can invest in a VCT via Direct Debit 

Many advisers have asked if it would be possible for their clients to invest in a VCT via a monthly subscription, in the same way as they would with a pension or ISA. Now Octopus is delighted to be able to offer you and your clients this service for the first time with a VCT. For more information please call the dedicated business development team on 0800 316 2067.