Lifespan launches MDA portfolios on BT Panorama

The range holds 30 model portfolios, including 10 strategic asset allocation portfolios and 20 pre-blended strategic and tactical asset allocation combinations, now available for advisers in Lifespan’s network.

Lifespan chief executive Eugene Ardino said the move was designed to broaden the reach of Lifespan’s MDA solutions to the firm’s some 250 advisers.

The firm anticipates use of managed accounts will jump to 52 per cent of the industry by 2022, from the current 37 per cent of advice practices using the products.

“We’re looking to boost the availability of MDAs to the adviser community as advice businesses and adviser use of managed accounts and portfolios increases,” Mr Ardino said.

“We will also be making our bespoke MDA and model portfolio options available to the broader adviser community via Lifespan Partnership, our support service for existing self-licensees and those advice businesses wanting to transition to their own individual AFSL.”

According to the group chief, the COVID pandemic has highlighted the benefits of managed accounts to the advice industry, particularly when adapting to market volatility.

“With an MDA, advisers can ensure investment decisions are more quickly implemented across the entirety of a client base to protect portfolios or take advantage of buying opportunities,” Mr Ardino said.

“The popularity of managed accounts is being driven by the benefits they provide advisers and their clients, such as reduced back-office burden, the ability to run a tactical overlay for downside protection and reduced business and compliance risk.”

Lifespan has been offering MDAs to advisers for more than 15 years, with its portfolios being checked and approved by Lifespan research and investment committee members, in consultation with Mercer.

Currently the network is providing more than $450 million in MDA services for around 1,500 clients.