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Iress has announced the creation of a ‘Connectivity Network’ that intends to directly connect platforms and insurance providers with advice software such as Xplan. The Connectivity Network is aimed at creating a more efficient and resilient industry by joining participants together to streamline and simplify the advice execution process, thereby increasing the number of clients advisers are able to serve. Colonial First State (CFS) and MetLife Australia have signed Memorandums of Understanding in which they agree to collaborate with Iress on the design and creation of the Connectivity Network. Core to the Connectivity Network is the delivery of a new cloud-based infrastructure capability known as Xplan Affinity. Xplan Affinity is designed to enable platform and insurance providers to integrate directly with Xplan, facilitating straight-through processing of client onboarding, trading, insurance applications, advice execution, and client maintenance, as well as reporting by financial advisers, licensees, and their support teams.
Iress has announced the launch of the 2022 Mortgage Efficiency Survey, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced by mortgage lenders over the past 12 months. The Iress Mortgage Efficiency Survey - now in its 11th year - sheds light on lenders’ use of technology to support the origination and writing of mortgage business, while uncovering the top issues affecting and defining efficient lending. Iress’ annual investigation also aims to understand the commonality of experience among lenders and the difference of approaches employed to deliver lending objectives. This year, 36 lenders shared their perspective through a series of detailed, face-to-face interviews, capturing the period from May 2021 to May 2022. The results paint a picture of what would become a year of contrasts; beginning with a booming market in mid to late 2021 followed by emerging signs of more challenging economic and market conditions in 2022.
As the price of staples like pasta and tea soar and two-thirds of people look to cut back on their spending this Christmas, what can financial services businesses do to help more people in this cost of living crisis? Finance wellness coach Bola Sol shared her advice in episode four of the Upfront podcast. Including: - Why financial brands should help their employees before their customers - How to avoid appearing 'tone deaf' by using real-life scenarios in advertising - When technology helps (and when it doesn't) - Why perks matter - How to genuinely help people by investing in their problems Listen now wherever you get your podcasts: https://upfront.lnk.to/Ep4 And get the free guide to building a financial services business that makes people happy (plus a whole lot more) on the Upfront blog.
Is love all you need? Iress' Matt Lonsdale thinks so, and argues that it's love that makes the wealth management world go round.
Emily Chen reflects on why 'Coming back to Iress was the best thing I could have done for my career'.
Almost one third of the world's adult population lack access to financial services. ONE THIRD. That's a lot of people missing out on all the good the industry can do. UN data suggests that better access to financial services would help more people out of poverty and improve health and wellbeing, education and gender equality. Financial inclusion means making sure individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services, delivered responsibly and sustainably. We've all got a part to play in that says professor of fintech Dr Karen Elliott who shared her advice for being authentic and inclusive on Iress's Upfront podcast.
Iress has expanded its partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), a global not-for-profit that works with governments and businesses to give refugees and other displaced people access to skilled employment opportunities. The expansion of Iress’ partnership with TBB, through its social engagement division - Iress Impact, coincides with increasing pressure on businesses to find skilled employees, particularly in the technology sector.
Zita White is a Product Manager for Xplan CRM at Iress. She started working at Iress in 2015, and joined the team with a background in supporting financial advisers to use Xplan in their business operations. During her time at Iress, Zita’s passion for baking (particularly for Iress colleagues and the Iress Foundation) has flourished and it has now developed into a fully-fledged side hustle. Find out more about how Zita aligns her personal values and passions at Iress.
Emily Gu took part in her first Iress Global Hackathon in July and, in her own words, 'it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in my career'.
Kenny Foo is a Client Solutions Implementation Specialist at Iress. Outside of his day-to-day role supporting the technology that underpins the advice industry, Kenny is a martial arts enthusiast and a film-maker (writer/director). His short films, Corridor (2021), Man About A Wallaby: Neon Marsupial (2019) and COLDER (2019), were officially selected in a number of film festivals worldwide. We spoke to Kenny about how he brings his passion for creativity and collaboration into his work at Iress.
