The Adviser Platform has launched a new resource called OAT – the Online Advice Tool – to help advisers work within the regulatory regime when advising clients.

Scott Duncan – TAP's Head of Compliance and Advice – says the app has been created with a focus on client engagement, making advice accessible and providing a framework to demonstrate a robust and repeatable process.

With effect from 1 November 2021, level life premium rates at Partners Life will increase by up to 20% for new business.

In a statement the company says the change will bring pricing for guaranteed level life premiums into line with the rest of the market.

The firm has also released a list of electronic signature firms it recognises saying says electronic signature services provide a safe, auditable means for clients to sign documents digitally.

Cigna NZ has appointed Gabe Smith and David Marquis to its digital technology team.

Smith started his role on September 29 having previously worked for Xero, and Marquis begins on October 11 – he was Z Energy's Head of Data Solutions.

Also....Fidelity Life has made a number of key appointments to its strategic alliances team. Melanie Beattie joins the firm in the newly-created role of Head of Strategic Alliances, and joining her are Sean Craigen, who's currently with BNZ, and Mike Whitehead, a business manager at Fidelity Life.

AIA NZ has made obtaining quotes easier and quicker for financial advisers by integrating its system with Xplan – a financial planning and wealth management app.

Within the system, advisers access Quote Builder with the client data pre-populated and the recommended insurance details are automatically transferred via Risk Researcher.

Continuous professional development (CPD) isn’t just a compliance obligation under the new regime, it is an important part of upskilling in your career, says Financial Advice NZ CEO Katrina Shanks. In a special column for RiskinfoNZ she says it's essential to establish a roadmap to check yourself against, keeping in mind that CPD is not a box-ticking exercise.

Surgery for bad backs has topped the list of most expensive surgical claims funded by Southern Cross Health Insurance in the year to 30 June 2021, with the highest individual claim coming to $222,000.

Eight of the top 10 most expensive claims paid by the health insurer were for spinal fusions – surgery which permanently connects two or more vertebrae in the spine – with four claims topping a whopping $200,000.

Hundreds of financial advisers have responded to AIA NZ’s wellbeing survey as the firm works to gauge how those working in the sector are coping with regulatory changes and working under gloomy atmosphere of Covid-19.

Listen to our special podcast edition with the firm Sam Tremethick at www.riskinfonz.co.nz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.