WHK cuts CommInsure and MLC from risk APL



WHK has overhauled its risk approved product list (APL), removing CommInsure and MLC while adding BT Life and Asteron to the existing stable of TAL, Zurich and Macquarie Bank.
The three-year APL partnership with the newly approved providers began on 1 March following a tender process that sought commitment from insurers for financial adviser education and support in gaining efficiencies through technology, WHK stated.
Products also had to address the needs of particular occupational groups within the WHK client base such as rural and mining, medical professionals, qualified tradespeople and SMSF clients requiring insurance, said WHK Group head of financial services John Cowan.
"We also wanted key partners that could provide WHK's distribution network with adviser education support, high levels of service and dedicated sales campaign involvement," he added.
He said it was increasingly important to achieve technological integration, and the group sought a commitment to greater efficiency through data feeds into COIN software.
The tender process was managed by WHK's Maurice Thaung, working with tender manager Life Risk Partners, Cowan said.
Life Risk Partners managing director Stephen Dingjan said the process was flexible enough to accommodate a high level of customisation.
"For example, we assisted WHK to determine which companies could best address key needs of the business to provide quality product and sales skills training, and the ability to provide downloads of existing policy data in a consistent and coherent manner," he said.
Recommended for you
With an advice M&A deal taking around six months to enact, two experts have shared their tips on how buyers and sellers can avoid “deal fatigue” and prevent potential deals from collapsing.
Several financial advisers have been shortlisted in the ninth annual Women in Finance Awards 2025, to be held on 14 November.
Digital advice tools are on the rise, but licensees will need to ensure they still meet adviser obligations or potentially risk a class action if clients lose money from a rogue algorithm.
Shaw and Partners has merged with Sydney wealth manager Kennedy Partners Wealth, while Ord Minnett has hired a private wealth adviser from Morgan Stanley.