18 December 2003
Zurich, through its IFA brand Sterling, has enhanced its fund range by adding eight new funds to its Investment Bond and seven to its ISA, PEP Transfer products and Investment Account. The choice of new funds reflects Sterling’s ongoing strategy of offering a suitably comprehensive choice of alternative investment approaches for each of the main stock markets and asset types.
The new funds reflect IFA feedback that clients are still looking for lower risk alternatives, such as cautious funds and Gilts and fixed income. Of the new funds, there is one new fund manager, Britannic, who is offering its S&P 5 star rated corporate bond. The new links will be available with immediate effect for both new and existing clients.
The new funds are:
| FUND MANAGER |
FUND |
STERLING
BOND |
STERLING ISA, PEP TRANSFER, INVESTMENT ACCOUNT |
| DWS |
UK Growth |
X |
X |
| |
UK Equity Income Plus |
X |
X |
| Britannic |
Corporate Bond |
X |
X |
| Gartmore |
Cautious Managed |
X |
X |
| New Star |
Managed Distribution |
X |
X |
| Schroder |
Gilt and Fixed |
X |
X |
| Fidelity |
Moneybuilder Income |
X |
X |
| Invesco Perpetual |
High Income |
X |
Already available |
Jim Reeve, Managing Director of Zurich IFA Group, commented: "Sterling has a great reputation within the IFA community and will continue to attract business by offering what IFAs want, from table topping funds, to the constant review of fund choice and product features and, of course, excellent administration."
Sterling also has a commission deal for the Sterling Investment Bond, until the end of 2003 all commission profiles will be enhanced as follows:
- 6.25% initial commission will be enhanced to 7.25%, an extra 1% initial commission.
- 5.125% initial commission plus 0.25% trail commission will be enhanced to 5.875% + 0.25%, an extra 0.75% initial commission.
- 4% initial commission plus 0.5% trail commission will be enhanced to 4.5% + 0.5%, an extra 0.5% initial commission.
The deal will apply to all investments received within this period and the extra commission can be exchanged for increased allocation, subject to maximum allocation limits. This does not apply to the no-exit penalty version of the bond. Standard commissions of 6.25% initial, or 4% initial and 0.5% trail, apply to the ISA, PEP transfer and Investment Account products.
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
Sterling Product Range:
ISA – offering a range of top performing funds with flexible investment and withdrawal options.
PEP Transfer – An investment vehicle building on the tax advantages of the popular PEP product. Easy access to a range of the UKs leading fund managers offering a comprehensive range of investment funds.
Investment Account – A collective investment that allows an investor to hold a large number of mutual funds (unit trusts and OEICs) within one account.
Investment Bond – offering choice, flexibility and value for money over a wide range of funds, managed by the UKs leading investment managers, including Threadneedle. Protected funds are available for the more cautious investors.
All Sterling products are covered by the unique death benefit guarantee – Sterling will pay out the amount invested, less withdrawals or the fund value, whichever is the higher.
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 more than 50 countries and employs about 64,000 people.
Media Information:
Erica Harper,
Zurich Media Relations: 01793 503969
