Westpac expands direct share offering
Westpac has launched a new online trading platform to provide trading and research functions for its broking customers, the company announced.
The site, Westpac Online Investing, offers portfolio management, access to Aegis Research, Reuters newsfeeds and analysis from Morningstar, as well as market data including full trading details, price and volume charts, according to Westpac.
James Staltari, the head of Westpac Securities, said the launch of the new platform together with a targeted marketing campaign is expected to increase Westpac’s broking customer base by approximately 8 per cent over the next 12 months.
“This new platform has been designed for our current broking clients along with those Westpac customers who don’t currently use our online share trading functions and others who want access to a market-leading trading platform,” he said.
“It is essential in these challenging market conditions that retail investors have fast and efficient access to a unique platform that provides sophisticated trading tools, live market information, and research,” Staltari said.
“The new Westpac Online Investing website will help ensure each customer is in control of their investment potential. We are confident the improved products and services available on the upgraded website will provide our customers with every opportunity to successfully manage their share and investment portfolio,” he added.
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.