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Concluding an unprecedented year of product innovation and business growth, Sterling - Zurich IFA Group's (ZIFA) market leading investment brand - has completed the final piece of its jigsaw with the introduction of the Sterling Investment Account.
Over the four years since its inception, Sterling has developed a formidable reputation as one of the market's best performing brands which has contributed towards a 7% growth in IFA business for ZIFA. The addition of the Sterling Investment Account (SIA) complements the existing Sterling ISA and PEP Transfer products and more importantly, completes the range of onshore investment tax wrappers, enabling IFAs to focus on clients' tax planning needs.
The SIA is a collective investment enabling a large number of mutual funds to be held within one account. The primary benefits, for both customers and IFAs, are ease of administration, significant fund discounts, consolidated reporting and access to the Zurich Fund Centre. Terms are consistent with those on other Sterling products, including flexible commission options and death benefit guarantee, which frees up IFA time to focus on portfolio planning.
The Account is available to UK residents for both lump sum and regular investments, and can facilitate the active use of an investor's annual CGT exemption, making investment very tax efficient. This makes it an ideal investment for HRT investors requiring tax-free income and regular investments for the benefit of children. It is also available for lump sum investments from Trustees of existing trusts.
Jim Reeve, managing director of Zurich IFA Group said: "IFAs like the Sterling brand, our service, the commission profiles and our selective choice of fund managers. Using the Investment Account, they can for the first time access unit trusts and OEIC investments through the Sterling channel."
Sterling is renowned for its innovative investment approach which includes recent developments such as the Fund Centre - a new, user-friendly internet based system that offers IFAs a wealth of investment information and powerful portfolio construction tools and the Protected Profits Fund - a unique combination of continuous protection plus performance linked to Threadneedle equity funds. Furthermore, recent additions to the Sterling fund range have increased the total number available to over one hundred, providing investors with a comprehensive, but not overwhelming, choice of differing investment approaches.
Jim Reeve, concludes: "The Sterling brand offers a compelling proposition for IFAs, providing a suite of complimentary products, plus a range of investment tax wrappers. The brand has a great reputation and will maintain its track record of success by continuing to develop the products that IFAs want."
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Note to Editors
The Sterling proposition includes:
ISA/PEP Transfer - Tax-efficient products, giving access to 88 funds including the PPF, and includes regular withdrawal facility, death benefit guarantee and flexible commission options
Investment Bond - Offers 3 different charging structures to meet the various needs of investors, with access to 103 funds including PPF. Also includes new phased investment facility, regular withdrawal facility, death benefit guarantee and flexible commission options
Sterling Investment Account - is a collective investment account, that allows an investor to hold a large number (90) of mutual funds (UT/OEICs), from a number of fund managers, within one account. This account provides the benefit of simplified administration, consolidated reporting, substantial fund discounts, access to Fund Centre and a number of other benefits. Also includes phased investment facility, regular withdrawal facility, death benefit guarantee and flexible commission options
Zurich Financial Services is an insurance-based financial services provider with an international network that focuses its activities on its key markets of North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It has offices in approximately 60 countries and employs well over 70,000 people.
Zurich Financial Services, (UKISA) is part of the Zurich Financial Services Group and comprises the Group's operations in the UK, Ireland and International Businesses.
For further information:
Zurich Media Relations Fay Ford on 01793 503969 | 