Skandia consults advisers on platform changes for customers
Skandia is consulting financial advisers on proposals to give customers greater access to its Investment Solutions platform.
An idea put forward by the firm is for a customer-facing version of the platform to be co-branded by advisers.
This could allow customers to access Financial Planning material, product valuations, new applications, trust documents, execution only ISA applications and consolidated valuation of non-Skandia investments.
Currently, customers are only able to access investment valuations, switch funds and redirect regular investments.
Skandia wants to hear from advisers as to how much access they would be comfortable giving their clients.
Peter Mann, chief executive of Skandia UK, said: “Customers are also telling us they want better online access to their investments, they want to feel in control of their investments and they want to feel better connected to their advisers through an online world.
“Many advisers also want their customers to be able to do more online. I can only see this demand increasing as all of us expect better, faster and more personalised online experiences across many parts of our lives.”
The proposal comes after the firm released its preliminary full-year results for 2011.
Gross sales on its platform remained flat at £4.9bn which the company blamed on ‘challenging market conditions.’
Funds under management on the platform rose by 13 per cent to £20bn but overall funds under management fell from £33.9bn to £33.4bn.
The company said it was well placed to benefit from the RDR and was ‘very positive’ about the opportunities ahead.