Fidelity Life marks 50th year with adviser message and new initiatives

"We're getting back in the game and renewing our commitment"

Fidelity Life marks 50th year with adviser message and new initiatives

Life & Health

By Kenneth Araullo

Fidelity Life, New Zealand's largest locally owned life insurer, has celebrated its 50th year by unveiling an extensive array of new digital, service, product, and retention initiatives.

These announcements were a focal point of the flagship Engage conferences, which saw participation from over 250 advisers in Auckland and Christchurch earlier this month. The initiatives are designed to empower advisers in advancing their careers and businesses to the next level.

Bronwyn Kirwan, chief sales and service officer at Fidelity Life, said that the company, after successful pivotal transformation projects, is ready to re-launch and redefine its market position. This includes a strong focus on its enduring relationship with advisers.

“In 2023 we’re celebrating 50 years of homegrown success and it’s the perfect time to reflect on the fact that advisers have been at the heart of it all. Recognising that financial advice leads to better outcomes, we’re getting back in the game and renewing our commitment to the adviser channel,” Kirwan said.

Kirwan also said that Fidelity Life took in feedback directly through its council and will act in key areas. The life insurer will begin focusing on four key areas to underscore its commitment to advisers in Aotearoa: ease of doing business, protecting and valuing in-force customers, propositions, and solutions.

“We hope advisers will find it easier to do business with us through new digital tools such as our market leading live chat, a dedicated adviser service team, a number of requested product enhancements and new tools to help them protect and retain their business. And from early 2024 we’ll roll out the first iteration of our new-look E-App and launch our amazing new Adviser Edge careers and professional development programme,” she said.

Revamped development program

The company also spoke more about the expansion of its successful Career Connect adviser skills and training course. This expansion is aimed at providing comprehensive support to financial advisers at every stage of their career. “Adviser Edge,” scheduled for launch in April 2024, was shared with advisers during the Engage conference.

Adviser Edge consists of three components – Career Connect, Professional Pathways, and Advice Masters. With an increased capacity, this initiative is expected to offer an extensive array of on-demand, online, and in-person educational resources, enabling advisers to further their careers.

  • Career Connect – following its success to date, Career Connect will open for its third intake to 15 candidates in February 2024. Two new intakes will be available, including an adviser-nominated program and a streamlined course for advisers who have achieved their Level 5 New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services.
  • Professional Pathways – launching in April 2024 for advisers with one to seven years of experience, Professional Pathways is an extended training and professional development program offering access to customizable educational resources, training, mentoring, and development opportunities.
  • Advice Masters – offering intensive training and personalized professional development for experienced business owners (seven or more years in the industry), Advice Masters aims to help them elevate their financial services businesses to the next level. Launching in April 2024, Advice Masters will build a professional network of high-performing business owners and industry leaders who are passionate about driving professionalism in the industry and delivering unparalleled customer experiences.

Kirwan said that Adviser Edge stands as a pivotal component of the company's commitment to advisers and the future of the advice industry.

“Financial advice and advisers have been at the heart of our business for the last 50 years and we expect that to be the case for the next 50. Financial advice is proven to deliver good outcomes for New Zealanders and that’s why we continue to champion advisers and advice careers,” she said.

Financial advisers were also encouraged to express their interest in Adviser Edge by reaching out to their Fidelity Life Business Manager.

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