Life offices need to establish what their real role is

Leader

The past couple of years has seen the introduction of wrap products and trading platforms such as Fu...

The past couple of years has seen the introduction of wrap products and trading platforms such as FundsNetwork and Cofunds, and Transact, all of which have filled a big hole in the intermediary market for electronic service functions. While the role of these and other platforms is not in doubt, what must be worth questioning looking ahead is exactly what role life offices play in the scheme of things for advisers and their clients? This is not as crass a question as it might at first seem. It is clear the role of life offices has been under scrutiny since the advent of personal pensions in...