Latest media releases

BT has launched its Evolution brand campaign, marking the next growth phase of the only wealth management business owned by one of the big four Australian banks, as well as a turning point for the advice industry.

Today BT announced the launch of the Activam Group managed account on BT Panorama — adding to the 300-plus managed portfolios on BT Panorama.

When clients separate, advisers face an ethics-related question: can they advise one or both? How can advisers manage a conflict of interest?

Today BT announced the return of Russell Brinckley, who is joining the business as the Head of Platform Strategy and Development.

Enhancements to BT Panorama’s service request tracker and award-winning mobile app, as well as improved client reporting, will be rolled out in the coming months, as part of BT’s initiative to support efficiencies and respond to cost and profitability pressures facing advisers.

Today Westpac announced it has concluded the sales process for BT Platforms. Westpac will now retain and continue to invest in the business to aggressively compete in the platforms market.

With the end of the current financial year fast approaching, BT is sharing the top questions advisers are asking its technical team. “This year-end, there is a mixed bag of topics advisers are discussing with clients, as there are upcoming changes relevant to just about everyone – from clients with high incomes and superannuation balances, to those who are eligible for social security,” said Tim Howard, Technical Consultant, BT.

BT has updated BT Panorama with a range of enhancements centred on improving the user experience for the most frequent users of the platform, advice practices’ support staff.

Keeping client data safe from hackers, verifying identification, whether to use password managers and the risks of using public wifi were among the cyber security topics that generated the most discussion at BT’s Cyber Security and Financial Crime Masterclass.

BT has launched a program to tackle the financial advice industry’s talent shortage, collaborating with Striver, a tech-based human resources platform specialising in helping guide graduates and those who are in the early stages of their careers.

As part of International Women’s Day, BT is sharing the top advice themes advisers are discussing with the BT technical team, which particularly relate to female clients.

Social security measures relating to the age pension are among the most popular regulatory topics for Australia’s financial advisers, based on the questions they are asking BT’s technical team.

As chief information officer an unplanned technology outage is what keeps you awake at night. In August 2021, while customer data and the back end of the platform were never compromised, BT Panorama’s adviser and customer online systems experienced an outage, preventing digital access.

More Australians are expected to be eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card soon, due to an imminent regulatory change aimed at easing cost of living pressures for seniors. We also look at the most popular queries raised by advisers in the July to September 2022 quarter.

Today BT announced the appointment of Rachael Dickinson as its new of Head of Marketing, to lead the businesses digital and customer experience marketing strategy as BT fortifies its agenda to become the undisputed partner of choice as it looks to separate from the Westpac Group.

In addition to the usual year-end to-do list for financial advisers, in the mix this year are changes regarding downsizer contributions, the superannuation guarantee and the Covid-related measure on minimum pension drawdowns.

Looking for ways to support your client engagement and referral pathways using social media? We surveyed financial advisers as part of our recent interactive social media webinars and here are some of the key findings.

The Federal Budget’s focus was on addressing cost of living pressures and, although it was extremely quiet on superannuation, there was nonetheless healthy adviser interest in some of the proposed measures, including: the tax offset for low to middle income taxpayers, social security measures such as the $250 one-off cost of living payment, and extension of minimum pension drawdowns.

Today BT announced the appointment of Kathryn Cosentino to the newly created role of Head of Product Management in its platforms business.

BT, one of Australia’s leading wealth management businesses, has launched its first brand campaign in over two years. The refresh showcases its technical and investing knowhow to boost brand consideration among its target audience segments.

For the fourth year running, BT Panorama has been awarded best mobile platform and best client portal by industry research house Investment Trends.

Advisers are preparing for a busy 2022, with an action list related to regulations that impact their business and professional development, as well as future opportunities for their clients.

BT Financial Group today announced a fee cut for MySuper and Choice members almost halving their dollar-based administration fee from $108 pa to $56 pa.

Adviser and investor interest in managed accounts continues to grow, with 64 new Managed Portfolios added to BT Panorama in the calendar year 2021, bringing the total on the platform to 231.

With the migration of BT Wrap customers to BT Panorama completed in the June quarter, FUA growth in the September quarter was largely due to adviser demand for managed account solutions on a contemporary platform.

Among the top five questions that advisers have asked BT’s technical team in the September quarter, two are related to Covid: the re-contributions of early release of super amounts and the extension of Covid relief for SMSFs.

Matthew Rady has today been announced Chief Executive Officer, BT Financial Group (BTFG). This newly created role leads a combined business that includes BT Platforms, including BT Panorama, BT’s Personal and Corporate Super, and Investments.

BT’s 500,000 MySuper members have seen record returns for most members in the twelve months to 30 June, with returns as high as 25.6%, the strongest 12 month returns since BT’s MySuper options were launched in 2014.

The migration of BT Wrap customers to BT Panorama was completed in June adding a total of $58.1bn FUA (as at 30 June) and 151,239 customer accounts since December 2020.

BT today announced it has completed the final tranche of its BT Wrap migration to BT Panorama – taking BT Panorama’s total funds under administration (FUA) to over $100bn.

With the end of the financial year just around the corner, top of mind for many financial advisers is the indexation of superannuation caps and thresholds, which includes an increase to the ‘preservation age’ relating to when Australians can access their super, as well as the qualifying age for the age pension.

The 2021 end of the financial (EOFY) will be nothing like previous financial years for many Australians with potential Government stimulus payments, early release of super withdrawals, change in working hours and working from a home office all impacting financial goals and tax time preparations.

Advisers are focusing on proactive strategies for clients, with superannuation and particularly contributions top of mind, as social security measures take a back seat.

BT Panorama to become largest contemporary platform in market, powered by organic growth and migration.

BT Panorama is now Australia’s largest contemporary investment platform with $49 billion of funds under administration (FUA). More than 38,000 BT Wrap client accounts have been transferred to BT Panorama in the last week, increasing FUA by 30%. Once all BT Wrap accounts have been transferred (completion is expected by the middle of this year), BT Panorama will have around $90 billion FUA.

For the third year running BT Panorama has been awarded ‘Best Mobile Platform”, ‘Best Client Portal’ and “Best Online Business Management’, in the latest Platform Competitive Analysis and Benchmarking Report from Investment Trends.

Invest Blue has partnered with BT, in conjunction with Ironbark and Russell Investment Management, to develop a managed account solution for the advice firm’s 4000-strong client base.

COVID-19 continued to be a dominant theme in Australians’ conversations with their financial advisers in the final quarter of 2020, as clients realise their plans to downsize for lifestyle or health reasons.