AMP grows North’s managed account menu



AMP North has added three new managers to its range of managed accounts for financial advisers and also extended its existing partnership with Betashares.
The platform confirmed the additions of Innova Asset Management, AZ Sestante, and Watershed Funds Management to its investment menu.
According to North, boutique investment management firm Innova Asset Management harnesses a multidisciplinary approach to investment management and provides risk-focused portfolio solutions tailored to individual client needs.
AZ Sestante offers expertise in designing and managing multi-manager model portfolios, while providing a robust, repeatable process designed to meet all market conditions.
Moreover, Watershed Funds Management partners with North through their ‘embedded models’ approach that allows for strategic positioning throughout the investment cycle.
The new additions seek to provide greater optionality and flexibility to advisers who are seeking managed account options, North said.
“The additions of AZ Sestante, Innova Asset Management and Watershed Funds Management highlight our commitment to growing the breadth of our offer, providing advisers with choice and optionality with several exciting new additions to our Buy Menu,” said David Hutchison, AMP’s general manager of managed portfolios and investments.
Edwina Maloney, AMP group executive for platforms, said the firm remains focused on partnering with “best-of-breed managers” to offer advisers and their clients access to high-quality solutions and investment offerings to suit different client segments and needs.
“This is our largest ever Buy Menu refresh and firmly places North at the forefront of the market when it comes to the quality, choice and breadth of investment options that we provide to advisers and their practices,” she said.
Last month, North unveiled a new file note assistant for advisers powered by artificial intelligence (AI), eliminating the need for manual note-taking. The tool leverages generative AI technology to transcribe audio recordings of client meetings, in turn producing a full transcript of the meeting and a structured file note that can be edited and customised for each adviser.
Extending its partnership with Betashares
The investment platform announced it has also extended its partnership with Betashares to create an ‘Australian-first’ geared retirement series.
The geared managed portfolio series on North is constructed to raise exposure to defensive assets and income, offering a cost-effective way to leverage exposure to the sharemarket.
Namely, the Betashares Moderately Geared Managed Account Portfolios access leverage through internally geared ETFs, which borrow at institutional interest rates that are considerably lower than those typically available to individual investors, according to North.
Hutchison said: “We’re also thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Betashares to launch a unique geared retirement series on North, the first of its kind in the Australian market.”
Recommended for you
ASIC has permanently banned a former Perth adviser after he made “materially misleading” statements to induce investors.
The Financial Services and Credit Panel has made a written order to a relevant provider after it gave advice regarding non-concessional contributions.
With wealth management M&A appetite only growing stronger, Business Health has outlined the major considerations for buyers and sellers to prevent unintended misalignment between the parties.
Industry body SIAA has said the falling number of financial advisers in Australia is a key issue impacting the attractiveness and investor participation of both public and private markets.