AFS tap into mobile technology
In an effort to enhance business-to-business and business-to-client relationships, Australian Financial Services Group Limited' (AFS) has backed mobile technology as the channel of choice in the financial planning industry.
AFS managing director and group chief executive officer Peter Daly said that conferences, professional development days and face-to-face communication have traditionally allowed the dealer group to communicate with their adviser network, but time and travel constraints have been a constant impediment to "getting the message out there."
Unveiling AFS's mobile platform 'Mi AFS' at a briefing in Sydney, Daly said the technology allowed advisers to stay connected to group news, market research and a live Twitter feed 24/7.
While 'Mi AFS' has been designed to better engage financial advisers with head office communication, 'Mi Adviser' - the business-to-client version of the platform - has been aimed specifically to keep clients informed on a daily basis and allow advisers to better manage a client's managed portfolios, AFS stated.
"People today trust their peer group. If we (AFS) don't live there, if we don't make a contribution to it, then we're going to be left behind," said AFS head of national development Mark Ryan.
Daly added that in terms of Future of Financial Advice requirements, the mobile platform could potentially apply to aspects of 'opt-in' and assist advisers in meeting those obligations.
Recommended for you
With the final tally for FY25 now confirmed, how many advisers left during the financial year and how does it compare to the previous year?
HUB24 has appointed Matt Willis from Vanguard as an executive general manager of platform growth to strengthen the platform’s relationships with industry stakeholders.
Investment manager Drummond Capital Partners has announced a raft of adviser-focused updates, including a practice growth division, relaunched manager research capabilities, and a passive model portfolio suite.
When it comes to M&A activity, the share of financial buyers such as private equity firms in Australia fell from 67 per cent to 12 per cent in the last financial year.
