30 September 2004
Zurich is launching a new internet-based system that will enable IFAs to build bespoke portfolios for their investment clients. The Online Portfolio Builder, available from October 4, will provide a structured process to help IFAs ascertain client attitude to risk and build tailored investment portfolios. It has been developed in partnership with IFAs to provide them with asset allocation support.
The e-based portfolio construction tool will complement existing tools offered to IFAs via ZIFAweb and has been specifically tailored for use with Zurich’s Sterling suite of investment products. It is initially available for the Sterling Bond and will be rolled-out to cover the rest of Sterling’s portfolio over the coming months.
The service will guide IFAs through a logical course of action from assessing their clients’ attitude to risk and investment objectives, to asset allocation and portfolio construction and then on to quote and apply online. A client record is created enabling IFAs to revisit client portfolios for later refinement and to generate bespoke client-facing reports.
Kevin Pearce, Zurich Sales Promotion Director, said that as depolarisation, regulation and rising industry costs put new demands on IFAs’ time and budgets, tools that could ease the burden are becoming all the more necessary.
"The Online Portfolio Builder will help IFAs to better meet the demands of their clients and ultimately to build stronger adviser-client relationships. It will also ensure a streamlined administration process for IFAs."
"While the existing fund centre has provided IFAs with popular functionality in the past, Zurich is committed to constantly updating its offering to IFAs who see up-to-date technology as integral to their business," Mr Pearce said; "The Online Portfolio Builder is the latest development from Zurich with more to follow over the coming months."
The new facility will assist in asset allocation through modelling techniques developed by global management consultancy Tillinghast Towers Perrin.
For more information on the Online Portfolio Builder and Sterling investment products, IFAs should call 0500 546546
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Notes to Editors:
Online Portfolio Builder:
- The service will guide IFAs through a logical course of action in building an appropriate portfolio, matched to the client’s attitude to risk. It will provide a process and a structure that can be used to justify and evidence fund portfolio recommendations
- The service will use asset allocation as a cornerstone of the portfolio construction process
- IFAs will be able to generate bespoke client-facing reports and PDFs, pre-populated with client and investment information inputted into the system
- The system will complement ZIFAweb’s existing online quote and apply functionality
- The system is tailored for use with the Sterling suite of products: Sterling Investment Bond, Sterling ISA, Sterling PEP Transfer Plan and Sterling Investment Account
- The Online Portfolio Builder can be accessed by logging on to the Zurich IFA Group website at http://www.zifa.co.uk/
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 50 countries and employs well over 64,000 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 please contact:
Jonathan Atkins
Zurich Media Relations
Tel: 01793 505586
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