Lots more DMs available through Novia – so what’s the benefit of using them?
We’ve recently added a number of new Discretionary Managers (DMs) to the platform – we’ve got over 30 now, which I think is a really healthy number and puts us in a good place to ensure advisers can access what they need. Over the last few weeks alone the following DMs have joined the Novia platform:
- European Wealth
- Ashcourt Rowan
- Apollo
- Berry
- City Asset Management
- Henderson Rowe
- Xcap Securities
The job of a platform is to offer an extensive choice of DMs to suit a range of needs – and the technological functionality and investment range to make it an efficient and worthwhile proposition for both high and low value investors. So what are the key benefits of using a DM via a platform? Well, here’s a few I’ve come up with:
De-risking an adviser’s business
Using a DM allows an adviser to focus on the on-going relationship with a client and reporting, whilst an investment expert with suitable research resource manages their portfolio. So the client gets the best possible investment management and advisers have the time to manage their needs where they can best add value. It removes much of the compliance risk, and responsibility for performance, that advisers face.
Providing a consistent investment proposition for both high and low value clients
Using a DM allows an adviser to provide a robust and consistent investment proposition to their clients and helps to deliver TCF – consistent treatment and financial products that behave as clients are led to believe.
Efficiency, driving down costs and maintaining profitability with varied clients
Increasingly competitive DM charges, online processing and reporting and using technology such as model portfolios via a platform allows an adviser to use DMs profitably and effectively for different value clients in a post RDR world. Model portfolio functionality means quick and easy access to DMs - clients can be setup online in a short space of time without loads of paperwork and control of the assets stays with the adviser.
Many models now have investment management charges of just 25-50 bps. The cost advantage is further enhanced by a reduction in VAT - DM services are VATable whereas platform charges are not. Using passive investments such as tracker funds or ETFs means DM managed models can be very low cost. Combining low cost discretionary management, low cost passive investments and efficient online processing means low value clients can remain profitable for advisers, even for portfolios below £100k – where for many advisers they become unprofitable.
Simply put, the business model of using a DM via platform works – it’s good for both adviser and client. By using platform technology and expert third party investment management, advisers can deliver a consistent, de-risked investment proposition that is efficient, cost effective and profitable even for low value clients. So I suppose now all you need to know is how you go about choosing the DMs that will match your clients’ needs. Picking the right DM from the wide array on offer can often seem like a daunting task and where do you start? I’ll look to cover this shortly so watch this space.
Further details on Novia’s DM offering can be found here