Investment platform AJ Bell has revealed a boost in assets and customers in a trading update in respect of its financial year ended 30 September.

The update showed customer numbers increased by 17% in the year to 232,066, with total assets under administration up 13% to £52.3bn.

The firm pointed to the FTSE All-Share index decreasing by 2% over the year for comparative purposes.
 
AJ Bell says its growth during the year “was driven by the platform business”.

Headline figures included:

·        Platform customers increased by 34,956 to 218,169, up 19% in the year

·        Platform AUA increased by 16% over the year to £44.9bn

o   Advised Platform AUA up 13% to £33.8bn

o   D2C Platform AUA up 28% to £11.1bn

·        Underlying platform inflows, representing organic growth in the year, increased to £5.4 billion (2018: £5.2 billion)

Andy Bell, chief executive at AJ Bell, said: “Our first full year trading update since the IPO demonstrates the resilience of our business model.

“During periods of unsettled markets and political uncertainty customers have a greater need for established, trustworthy businesses offering high quality service, at low cost to meet their evolving investment needs.

“This has enabled us to continue to add customers and assets to the platform.
 
“Platform customer numbers continued to grow strongly, up 19% over the year and platform assets under administration increased 16%, despite a 2% fall in the FTSE All-Share.

“Underlying platform inflows remained robust at £5.4bn and transfers from defined benefit pensions added a further £0.9bn.
 
“The long-term growth drivers of the platform market remain strong with customers increasingly looking to take control of their long-term savings with flexible, low-cost, online solutions.

“This, coupled with our strong customer retention rate, positions us well to achieve our organic growth ambitions.”