A
new Student & Graduate Account table has been added to Aequos. This table includes comprehensive enhancements to the existing student and graduate current account module.
A large number of new columns are now available including information on facilities, charges, overdrafts and the vast array of incentives available.
Subscribers to the current table will be able to access both tables for a period of two weeks to provide enough time to transfer over any saved views. On the
14th July the old table will be removed from Aequos.
If you have any questions or would like any help please contact Defaqto Customer Support at customersupport@defaqto.com or 01844 295544.
Defaqto is pleased to announce an enhancement to its Pension Annuity Table through the addition of a new column identifying where postcode annuity rates are offered.
This new column has been added as from 26 June 2009.
Taking into consideration where someone lives, and also certain aspects of their lifestyle, enables annuity providers to tailor their pricing, based on statistics which suggest that someone living in a less affluent area will on average die earlier than someone living in a more affluent area. Through the use of postcode annuity rates such clients may benefit from a tailored annuity rate as opposed to the one rate fits all approach.
Defaqto is pleased to announce enhancements to its Fund Supermarket and Wrap coverage through the addition of six new columns within the Charges research area within the table.
With effect from Friday 15th May the following data columns have been added:
Fund Manager Rebates - Destination of fund manager rebates
Re-registration - Re-registration onto and/or off the platform permitted
Risk Profile Tool Charge - Additional cost/subscription required for use of risk profiling tool
Asset Allocation Tool Charge - Additional cost/subscription required for use of asset allocation tool
Fund Research Tool Charge - Additional cost/subscription required for use of fund research tool
Fund Performance Tool Charge - Additional cost/subscription required for use of fund performance tool
The relevant sifting functionality has been added to Aequos Online and Aequos Engage to aid the research process for those seeking to identify platforms which can meet IFA/client needs in these areas.
Details of any associated terms and conditions will be covered within the brochure text.
Fund Supermarket and Wrap: further tables enhancement
Defaqto is pleased to announce enhancements to its Fund Supermarket and Wrap coverage through the addition of six new columns within the 'Tradable Asset Types' and 'Investment Services and Tools' research areas of the table. Added with effect from Friday 24th April are:
Overseas Stocks & Shares - Trading in overseas stocks and shares available on the platform
Unlisted Shares - Unlisted shares/private equity tradable on the platform
Offshore Funds - Trading in offshore mutual funds available on the platform
Automatic Withdrawals - Facility to set up fixed (percentage or amount) regular withdrawals, other than pension related income drawdown facilities
Panel DFM - Platform provides a defined link to a panel of discretionary fund managers
Open Market DFM - Any discretionary fund manager can be appointed to run the investment portfolio on the platform
The relevant sifting functionality has been added to Aequos Online and
Aequos Engage to aid the research process for those seeking to identify
platforms which can meet IFA/client needs in these areas.
Details of any associated terms and conditions will be covered within
the brochure text.
Defaqto Announces Aequos Online v3.7
Defaqto is set to release the latest version of Aequos Online - the most extensive independent financial product analysis and comparison software in the UK. The latest version will go live on Wednesday the 18th March 2009.
You don't need to do anything, just simply log in normally to access the updated version on Wednesday morning.
Aequos Online v3.7 includes a cosmetic overhaul as well as improved access to core functionality. The time taken to produce a Sift Criteria Report has been reduced to just seconds.
The upgrade to Aequos Online v3.7 requires no additional downloads and will be accessible using your existing login details at the same www.aequosonline.com address. For help with the new Sift Criteria Report, access the Online Help system (top left hand corner of the screen in Aequos) and on the left hand menu navigate to 'Reports' and then 'Sift Criteria Report'.
Aequos Online v3.7 will be hosted by our new Internet Service Provider, enabling Defaqto to continue to improve the service to our customers. Defaqto will closely monitor the performance throughout the migration.
For help with the new functionality or to provide feedback you can contact the Customer Support Team on the details below.
Defaqto Customer Support
Telephone: 01844 295 544,
Fax: 01844 295555
Email: customersupport@defaqto.com
Enjoy the latest version of Aequos Online, we welcome your feedback and comments.
Review of Scoring Criteria for Defaqto Package tables
From 1st April 2009 Defaqto will be making a number of changes to the
Package tables within the General Insurance module.
In preparation for the launch of Commercial Star Ratings Defaqto has
held discussions and sought feedback from across the market. Defaqto
has taken the view that flexibility within a commercial product should
obtain a higher score than products which may provide a large amount of
cover as standard.
With this in mind, the scoring criteria for a number of columns have
been reviewed so that:
No cover = 1 DNA point
Cover provided as standard = 3 DNA points
Cover provided as an option = 5 DNA points
Some other criteria have also been reviewed to reflect current market
conditions, and are pertinent to Commercial Star Ratings. Read the full
list of the scoring changes.
As the underlying criteria for saved views could be affected by these
changes Defaqto strongly recommends you reassess your saved views after
the changes have taken effect.
In the following months Defaqto will be reviewing other commercial
tables, looking to implement similar scoring rules.
If you have any questions please contact our Customer Support team on
01844 295 544 or email on support@defaqto.com.
Pension Service Study Results
With effect from 31st March 2009, the Defaqto Service Rating data for pensions will be updated within Aequos Online.
This data is sourced from an independent study commission by Defaqto to measure the satisfaction levels among IFAs with their chosen pension providers. In the study we asked a random sample of 500 IFAs which their preferred pension providers are and then we asked them to score their preferred providers for 39 service and satisfaction disciplines. Unlike, other service measures in the market, Defaqto’s Satisfaction Study provides a granular measure of service looking individually at the key admin phases of the life of a pension policy rather than giving one overall rating.
The values to be incorporated into Aequos and Engage are the satisfaction values for New Business Administration, Existing Business Administration and, new for 2009, Retirement Income Administration, which replaces the ratings for Investment Services. Any saved views/sessions currently using Investment Services will be affected by this change but we hope the new data will improve the research functions available.
Full industry results from the study feature in Defaqto’s Retirement Savings & Income Report, the definitive industry pensions report giving wide insight into all aspects of the UK pensions industry. Full results for each preferred provider are available upon request, subject to usual commercial terms.
If you have any queries regarding this change please contact our Customer Support team on 01844 295 544. Alternatively if you are interested in obtaining the full results for any provider please contact our sales team on 01844 295 546.
Table Name Change
The Guaranteed Equity Bond table within the Investments module has recently been renamed to ‘Structured Products’. Whilst all the products currently illustrated on the table have some degree of protection, not all are guaranteed. Further to this not all products are structured as Bonds either. We have therefore decided to rename the table to better reflect the range of products that appear.
If you have any queries regarding this change please contact our Customer Support Team on 01844 295 544
Release of Two New Business Credit Card Tables
With effect from Thursday 15th January 2009 Defaqto has released two new tables into the Credit Card module.
It’s important for businesses to facilitate their employees authorised business expenditure on items and services and also for the company to get detailed automated statements on what’s been spent and where. Business credit cards and charge cards both offer valuable and easy ways to do this.
Credit cards and charge cards represent an easy source of short-term funding but differ in one major respect. Whereas a credit card can be used as a source of partial extended credit when circumstances dictate, the charge card requires all expenditure to be repaid by the due date each month.
The features available on business credit cards are similar to those offered to personal customers with some offering 0% introductory purchase or balance transfer deals, cash backs as well as details of other rewards and the various facilities on offer.
With business charge cards all expenditure must be repaid by the due date each month. Typically an annual fee ranging from £15 up to £100 will be levied on charge cards and charges will also be encountered for cash advances, overseas use and late payment.
For more details on how to subscribe to these new tables, please call your Account Manager directly or call us on 01844 295 546
Motor Insurance 2008
Defaqto’s latest report into the UK motor insurance market: “UK Motor Insurance Market 2008 – Difficult Times Ahead” is now available. The report content includes Defaqto's third analysis of the motor insurance aggregation market, and a detailed review of cover features and benefits provided within the Comprehensive Private Car market. To read more or order a copy, click here
Current Accounts 2008
Defaqto's fourth annual report into the current account market is now available. The report offers an in-depth look at the present state of the market including the Office of Fair Trading issues, product developments and innovations, as well as providing an overview of what is in store for the future of current accounts. To read more or order a copy, click here.
UK Home Insurance 2008
Defaqto’s sixth annual home insurance report is now available and provides an insight into the four main policy types, as well as a detailed analysis of Home Insurance Aggregators. It also looks at industry issues such as flooding and environmentalism and product issues such as alternative accomodation and garden contents.
To find out more and to order your copy, click here.
Offshore Bonds 2008
Defaqto has published an in depth report into the Offshore Bond market. Defaqto's analysis enables you to remain up to date with the developments and issues in this growing market. Amongst other features, this report, through primary research carried out in Defaqto's IFA Satisfaction Study together with a current snapshot of IFA opinion on the offshore bond market, will give a unique insight into the behaviour,attitude and needs of the advisers active in this market.
To find out more and to order your copy, click here.
Critical Illness 2008
Defaqto's fourth annual Critical Illness report is now available. The report examines the current product offerings against a background of economic uncertainty. A year on from the adoption of the ABI model wordings, the report reviews who covers what and how well they do it. It also identifies the challenges fro those writing and advising on critical illness insurance.
To find out more and to order your copy, click here.
Motor Aggregator Report 2008
Defaqto’s second report into the aggregator market looks into what changes have been made and the new entrants into the market since October 2007. This report includes a review of the aggregator market and Defaqto’s view of where it is headed, 1-page summaries of the key features and benefits of 41 aggregators including Comparethemarket, Confused.com, GoCompare, Insurance.co.uk, Moneysupermarket and TescoCompare.
It also includes Defaqto rating of each aggregator website and comments on the resurgence of the intermediary within the aggregator market. To find out more and to order your copy, click here.