2012

Westpac General Insurance is encouraging Australians to take simple action ahead of Christmas and the summer holidays to protect their family, friends and property from harm.

Advance Asset Management has added a specialist to their line-up of portfolio managers and appointed Mary Feros as Australian equities portfolio manager.

BT Financial Group has announced a capital protection product that allows Australians the opportunity to generate growth in their retirement or investment portfolio whilst preserving a minimum outcome at the end of an agreed term.

BT Financial Group's Private Wealth division, which oversees Westpac Private Bank, St.George Private Clients and Bank of Melbourne Private, has received further recognition - picking up two prestigious awards at separate ceremonies last night.

BT Financial Group today welcomed the Government's announcement to transfer lost superannuation balances under $2,000 to the Australian Tax Office.

BT Financial Group has won two major awards at last night's AB+F 2012 Insurance Awards with wins for General Insurance Product of the Year (Westpac General Insurance - Home and Contents) and Innovation of the Year (Income Cover for Homemakers, BT Financial Group Life Insurance).

Advance Asset Management has won the award for the best multi-strategy/fund of hedge fund for the Advance Alternative Strategies Multi-Blend fund at the 2012 Professional Planner/Zenith Fund Awards.

Building on BT Wrap's efficient and seamless processes for delivering end of year statements, financial advisers now have access to a new online tool which generates an estimated release date for their clients' statements.

In response to changing market conditions BT Financial Group is challenging the existing support services model to help best position planning businesses for future growth. Today it announced a new alternative - BT Select - the new BT branded advice business built to support planning businesses of the future.

Securitor has commenced its training programs to FOFA ready accountants wishing to provide self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) advice to their clients. The training will empower accountants to take control of the future of their business and enhance the value their clients derive from their advice.

Westpac Private Bank has taken out five awards in the Australian Private Banking Awards 2012 held in Sydney last night, including the prestigious Outstanding Institution ($10m - $30m) Award.

Today Asgard launched a dedicated end of financial year (EOFY) website for advisers to manage critical dates and timely client communications.

BT Financial Group has launched the "next generation" of geared equity investment products in response to renewed interest from investors who are seeking to achieve their financial objectives and manage equity market risk in the post-GFC environment.

BT Financial Group, one of Australia's largest superannuation providers, has today encouraged all superannuation funds to embrace the highest standards of corporate governance in the way they operate.

BT Financial Group has begun offering Australia's first telephone based claims service designed to cut the red tape and long wait times for customers facing what is often associated with the most difficult time in their lives - making a claim on their trauma insurance.

BT Financial Group today welcomed the government's announcement extending the implementation date for the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms to 1 July 2013.

Securitor has launched a new investment research and strategy website that gives advisers access to up-to-date, in-depth equities, product and thematic market research and commentary.

BT Financial Group head of superannuation Melanie Evans said for the superannuation system to deliver higher retirement savings, Australians needed a more open and competitive market.