CFS tops platform rankings


Colonial First State has sustained and strengthened its position at the top of the annual Wealth Insights platform rankings.
The platform service level rankings, released by Wealth Insights this month, saw Colonial First State not only its top-ranked position with its Firstchoice offering, but score second position with its FirstWrap product.
The achievement came on the bank of a range of enhancements announced to the platforms in 2013.
Third position on the service level rankings went to Macquarie Wrap.
In terms of fund manager rankings, Colonial First State ranked at number one, followed by Vanguard and Fidelity.
Wealth Insights managing director, Vanessa McMahon said over 1,200 financial planners had rated the platforms and fund managers that they used on their services during March and April.
Commenting on the outcome, Colonial First State's head of FirstWrap and Investment Products, Peter Labrie said he believed the outcome reflected the level of investment and continuous improvement which had been injected into the products.
"We view the results of the Wealth Insights report as direct feedback on how advisers' rate our service," he said.
"To be awarded number one for platform service for FirstChoice, and number two for platform service for FirstWrap is something we are very proud of. It is confirmation that the support we provide advisers helps increase their efficiency - which we know is an important objective for every advice business."
Recommended for you
A financial advice firm has been penalised $11 million in the Federal Court for providing ‘cookie cutter advice’ to its clients and breaching conflicted remuneration rules.
Insignia Financial has experienced total quarterly net outflows of $1.8 billion as a result of client rebalancing, while its multi-asset flows halved from the prior quarter.
Prime Financial is looking to shed its “sleeping giant” reputation with larger M&A transactions going forward, having agreed to acquire research firm Lincoln Indicators.
An affiliate of Pinnacle Investment Management has expanded its reach with a London office as the fund manager seeks to grow its overseas distribution into the UK and Europe.