Mariner ranks grow as first offering launched
FLEDGLING boutique financial services group Mariner Financial has bolstered its ranks with the appointment of a chief financial officer and another business development manager after rolling out its first retail product last week.
FormerLumley Lifechief financial officer Joseph Prsa has joined the Sydney-based firm in the same capacity, along with formerZurich Financial Servicesbusiness development manager Chris Saunders — the latter boosting Mariner’s sales team to six.
Earlier last week Mariner formally launched its anticipated Mariner Lifestyle Bonds product — the first product to come out of the group’s stable since kicking-off operations back in May last year.
The group says the bonds in the fund are transferable and can be uniquely tailored, with investors not locked in, because they can partake in interest rate rises while being protected against falling rates.
As for the appointments, Prsa has over 16 years management, accounting and finance experience. Prior to his time at Lumley, he was fund accounting manager with Permanent Trustees (nowTrust) and before that an auditor withKPMG.
Before his time with Zurich, Saunders, who will focus on growing the group’s retirement business — Mariner Retirement Solutions — worked in the same capacity forCiticorp Investments, and before that as a financial adviser withApogee Financial Planning.
Group founder and former managing director of Challenger International Bill Ireland says the market can expect it to launch a suite of financial retirement products this calendar year.
“This is a first in a series of solutions aimed at giving retail investors better choice and flexibility in their investment and retirement planning,” Ireland says, referring to the new bond fund.
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