BT Panorama has picked up Best Technology Offering at the 2018 Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards.
Financial Services Council (FSC) chief executive Sally Loane presented the award to BT Panorama acting head of product management and platforms, Dina Kotsopoulos, at a black-tie gala dinner held at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on March 8.
Kotsopoulos said the BT Panorama team was delighted to win the award for the second consecutive year.
“I think the fact that we’ve been able to integrate into the bank, and that we’ve got a mobile app that allows our end-to-end members to engage with us, is why we’ve been successful in this space,” she said.
The award came on the same day that BT Panorama announced a new client offering.
“We’ve also today launched our direct super offer,” Kotsopoulos said. “The BT Panorama Super offer that we’ve won this award for is for the intermediated offer, which is when you come through an adviser. We’ve just launched a direct option, so you can get it directly through your banking and access incredible investment options at a really great price.”
Other finalists in the category for Best Technology Offering were: AustralianSuper, Cbus Super, HESTA, QSuper, and Russell Investments Master Trust.
Loane said the judging committee found BT Panorama’s offering demonstrated the best use of technology to support members in managing their accounts and maximising retirement outcomes.
It is a large scale, and very expensive, offering that aims to link all products and services, including banking, insurance, superannuation, investments and cash-management accounts.
“The technology is not just an adviser tool, as other platforms are, but can also be used by individuals,” Loane said. “BT Panorama’s technology ultimately allows people to manage their wealth holistically.”
Click here to see a full list of all the winners.
About the awards
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull thanked all the winners and finalists for their contribution to making Australia’s superannuation system “even better”.
“There are few industries that have such significant and far-reaching effects on people’s lives,” Turnbull said. “One of the important ways we can build a better superannuation system is by encouraging and awarding innovation and excellence…Tonight’s awards do just that.”
While there are many other awards nights on the industry calendar, the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards are unique in that they are not aligned with a research or ratings house, and do not charge funds to participate. Actuarial and consulting firm Rice Warner assists with quantitative analysis.
The judging committee comprises California State Teachers’ Retirement System chief investment officer Chris Ailman, Fund Executives Association Ltd (FEAL) chief executive Joanna Davison, CHOICE chief executive Alan Kirkland, the FSC’s Loane, Rice Warner chief executive Michael Rice, and former minister for financial services and superannuation, the Hon. Bernie Ripoll.
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority deputy chair Helen Rowell is a special adviser to the judging committee, which remains the only truly independent awards panel in the sector.
“APRA views sound governance practices as fundamental to the delivery of value for money outcomes for members,” Rowell says. “I was, therefore very pleased to see the steps taken by the judging panel this year to enhance the approach to assessing governance and give it more weight in determining the winners in various categories.”
The 2018 Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards are produced with thanks to platinum sponsor AIA Australia and event partner FEAL.
“AIA is honoured to sponsor the Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards, because we feel this is a great way of recognising the important work funds do, looking after millions of members,” AIA Australia head of corporate and master trust clients Anthony Clough said.
“As a purpose-led organisation, AIA has a partnership philosophy at the heart of our business, and funds are amongst our most important partners in the industry.”
VIEW: Conexus Financial Superannuation Awards 2018 photo gallery
Nearly $50,000 was raised on the night for the event’s charity partner The Wayside Chapel. Conexus Financial would like to thank guests for their generosity. If you would like to add to the tally, you can still donate via The Wayside Chapel website.
