- AIA Australia Releases Vitality Support Material
- Infocus Signs Referral Deal with Major Tax Consultancy
- Advisers Remain Cautious Over Social Media Use
AIA Australia Releases Vitality Support Material
AIA Australia has released a new range of material for use by advisers who may be using the insurer’s wellness program – AIA Vitality – with clients.
The new material includes tools, documents and videos which can be used during the advice process and integrate discussions around health, wellbeing and how the AIA Vitality program can assist in leading a healthier life.
AIA Australia stated the program had led to good results for consumers as well as advisers through increased client referrals, stronger engagement with life insurance on a daily basis and a high level of improvements in lapse rates on life insurance policies when Vitality is attached (see: AIA’s Vitality Boosts Client Retention).
The new material is available via the AIA Business Growth Hub.
Infocus Signs Referral Deal with Major Tax Consultancy
Non-aligned financial advisory group Infocus Wealth Management has entered into a referral relationship accounting and tax consultancy H&R Block.
Under the terms of the relationship, H&R Block will refer clients seeking wealth management services to financial advisers licensed by the Infocus Group.
Infocus will managed the referral program which will see H&R Block engage with its clients through a dedicated call centre and direct accountant referrals with 1,000 clients expected to be contacted each week in the initial phases of the relationship.
Infocus said this initial phase, which would roll out before June 30, 2017, would inform some H&R Block clients of the advisory services available via Infocus with all clients to be notified of the relationship after June 30.
Infocus Managing Director and CEO, Rod Bristow said the referral relationship was consistent with Infocus’ adviser value proposition and also offered Infocus advisers growth opportunities unavailable elsewhere in the financial advice sector.
H&R Block currently has more than 2,000 tax consultants in 450 offices nationally.
Advisers Remain Cautious Over Social Media Use
A large majority of advisers believe there is some form of reputational risk involved in engaging with clients on social media but more than half have still gone ahead and used it, according to a new survey conducted among advisers.
The research, carried out by Midwinter Financial Services in conjunction with Jenesis Consulting, surveyed 153 advisers of varying backgrounds and specialisations on digital and social media.
The survey found that 87.3% of planners questioned believed there was some degree of reputational risk involved in engaging on social media but that 53.5% had not been put off by that risk and had engaged in using social media as part of their marketing efforts.
Midwinter Senior Brand Manager, Naomi Christopher said the results were understandable given the damage social media mistakes can cause but believed the risk of reputational damage had been overstated.
“If advisers keep their posts and interactions professional, nonderogatory and avoid being highly controversial, they shouldn’t live in constant fear of damaging their professional reputation,” Christopher said.
