Sanlam awarded product supplier of the year for investment products at the FIA awards

Sanlam, a leading financial services group in South Africa, has scooped two awards at this year’s prestigious FIA (Financial Intermediaries Association) annual awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on 3 June. The awards were for product supplier of the year for recurring premium investment products and for single premium investment products.

The FIA Awards aim to recognise the insurance product providers that were rated tops in the annual Intermediary Satisfaction Benchmark/ Research Survey conducted by Bluestream Research. More than 2 700 FIA member intermediaries rated their preferred product providers based on product quality, service quality, relationship quality and overall satisfaction.

Kobus Vlok, chief executive of Sanlam Personal Finance (SPF) distribution, says, “Sanlam's research has shown that although product flexibility and choice of underlying investment funds are important in the advice process, independent advisers increasingly regard sound costing structures, reliable service and ongoing quality communication as key to having a competitive edge. It is obvious that Sanlam is excelling at this and our endeavours to keep both clients and independent advisers abreast of their investments have paid off.”

Included in the awarded recurring premium investment range are retirement annuities, endowments and recurring premium linked investments. In the single premium investment range are single premium- endowment policies, guaranteed investments, discretionary and non-discretionary linked investments (including offshore investments) and collective investments.

“Clients and independent advisers are faced with many choices but often investments are placed with a product provider with a sound track record that offers flexibility, service and value for money. It is therefore important for Sanlam to continue to manage and administer client investments at an affordable rate. We have now set a benchmark and we will continue to deliver overall satisfaction for brokers and our clients,” says Vlok.