Zurich expands fund range

In response to growing demand from intermediaries and their clients, Zurich is introducing an additional range of funds to its investment and pensions propositions.

Intermediaries and investors will now be able to access 11 new funds through the Sterling Bond as well as 15 new funds through Sterling’s mutual fund range. For those investors looking to broaden their choice of pension fund, 10 new funds have been added to the range of individual pensions.

The enhanced fund range includes the introduction of new fund links with Allianz Global Investors and Old Mutual Asset Management for the first time. The range of MultiManager funds available from Fidelity and Jupiter has also been expanded across the mutual funds proposition.

The new range of funds will be available through Sterling, Zurich’s UK investment brand, through the Sterling Bond, ISA, PEP transfer and Investment Account as well as Zurich’s range of individual pensions.

Commenting on this development, Pete Davis, Fund Development Director, said, “Our new range of funds has been chosen to complement our existing fund range. We have focused on both mainstream funds which will appeal to the majority of intermediaries and their clients as well as expanding into more specialist areas, with the addition of the Allianz RCM BRIC Stars fund and the Merrill Lynch Gold & General fund.”

The extended fund range will provide intermediaries and their clients with greater flexibility, by offering a wider investment choice as well as broadening the range of asset classes available to investors.

Davis continued, “The new funds have also enhanced our Multimanager and Property offerings in particular, providing access to some of the best funds on the market. All of our funds are reviewed regularly to ensure they offer strong performance, as well as having good potential future performance. We believe it is important that our funds provide our customers with solid performance whilst offering flexibility as well as value for money.”

With over 155 funds now available from Zurich’s investment and pensions proposition, the new fund links will also provide intermediaries with an opportunity to add value to their existing client relationships. Intermediaries will continue to be well placed to review their clients’ arrangements and offer advice on potential new combinations within a clients’ portfolio.