1st Software launches investor risk profiling software to help advisers reduce risk of mis-advising clients

1st Software, the UK’s largest provider of desktop software for financial intermediaries, has today announced the launch of its ’Investment Risk Profiler’, developed in conjunction with specialist consultancy, The Silent Partner.

The Investment Risk Profiler (IRP) has been carefully designed to help financial advisers assess an investors’ appetite for risk, measured against their expectations of investment return. Using a series of mathematical assumptions, a “recommended” portfolio profile can then be produced which is shown in both numerical and pie-chart format.

The IRP is available as both a desktop and web-based solution, giving advisers the freedom to use it ‘on the move’ via a PDA or laptop. It is fully customisable and can be tailored to measure the risks of specific pension, investment or portfolio combinations.

The Exchange

Adviser Office integrates with Exweb.

1st Software and The Exchange, the leading supplier of integrated technology solutions for financial advisers and mortgage intermediaries, announce the integration of 1st Software's Adviser Office system with The Exchange’s Exweb quote and transaction services (www.exchange.co.uk).

The integration of the Exweb service will allow all Adviser Office users who have registered with The Exchange to pre-populate Exweb quotations with client data from Adviser Office and to use Exweb’s electronic new business service. This is designed to save time, costs and reduce error rates, benefiting both advisers and providers. Firms using Adviser Office who are not currently registered users of Exweb can sign up for this service from £14 per month, per user.

IFA Systems

IFA Systems' Portfolio Adviser proves an instant success with its first users.

When A J Buckley Asset Management were seeking the most efficient yet secure way to keep their overseas clients updated with their latest portfolio valuations, they were relieved to find the answer in a unique programme produced by IFA Systems Ltd, the website specialists for IFAs. Their Portfolio Adviser programme has recently been re-launched to allow the IFA to upload data held on their back office system - in A J Buckley's case 1st Software's Adviser Office -to their website.

Valuations are updated weekly via a datafeed from Financial Express into Adviser Office, and the portfolio summary provides a snapshot for the client at that point in time. Clients can this view their valuation reports whenever it suits them, and can e-mail queries whenever they wish using a range of forms provided with the secure Client Login system from IFA Systems as part of the package.

Mortgage Brain

Source, Trade, Comply

Mortgage Brain launches its fully integrated compliance solution

Mark Lofthouse, CEO, discusses further…

At our recent series of ‘Premier Events’ we asked intermediaries some questions about regulation and compliance and early indicators show that over two thirds of you not only see the advent of regulation is a business opportunity, but that Direct is the route you are planning to take.

Whether you have made up your mind or are still weighing up the pros and cons, with less than 10 months to go, all areas of the mortgage industry are preparing – and we are no exception. With over 18,000 intermediaries currently using our software whether to source a product from the 9,000 or so available, or trade electronically with eight leading lenders , we have developed a compliance software solution to support your business whether you are directly authorised or appointed representative.

Having worked in close consultation with introducers, lenders, AMI and the FSA over the past year, we are confident that our next generation compliance solution, Protector, is the most comprehensive in the market.