Technology

Controversial findings of a Norwich Union survey suggest insurance brokers comfortable with technology would not be sad to see a thinning of the ranks of intermediaries who are less used to IT in business.

One in five financial services providers regularly lose customer documentation and one-third of IFAs have to wait three or four weeks for firms to process documents, suggests a poll of advisers.

1st Software has launched the latest fully upgraded version of its Adviser Office desktop software for IFAs, which it will start rolling out through next month.

Charles Schwab UK, a foreign branch office of US-based Charles Schwab & Co, is in discussions with "institutions" about new equities ratings and research tools, which could mean new tools for IFAs for use with their investment clients.

American Express has announced a wrap platform deal with adviser firm Thinc set to be followed shortly by at least two more as the multinational executes its move into the technology and support services side of UK financial services.

An online introducer service is being launched for both consumers and IFAs which could challenge IFA Promotion's role of passing on local financial services business leads.

IFAonline is adding additional services to its portal which offer IFAs FREE access to selected Synaptic PRI research as well as a daily feed of the latest FTSE 100 index data.

A host of online tools looking at with-profits investments, asset allocation, yield incomes, e-commerce, regulation and UK savings are being developed by Selestia over the coming months, says Owain Kember, IFA marketing manager.

Norwich Union has just unveiled an online golf game which is already attracting huge numbers of intermediary users.

Zurich IFA group has teamed up with a technical provider to offer advisers a wide range of technical support services.