In the fifth round of category showcases for the 2021 SMSF Awards, SMSF Adviser can reveal that La Trobe Financial has won SMSF Fixed Income Provider of the Year while Australian Money Market has won the Cash and Term Deposit Platforms for the sixth consecutive year. Further showcases of the award winners will be announced across the week.
SMSF Awards 2021
It has been another changing year for the SMSF sector as it moves past the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year and the resulting economic downturn.
This year has been a time of change for many in the SMSF sector, as super contribution thresholds change and a new era begins for the industry with the implementation of the auditor independence standards.
Superannuation has also seen greater focus on retirement outcomes as highlighted in this year’s array of federal budget changes. Furthermore, the ATO and the SMSF sector have continued to work tirelessly together to address some of the unforeseen issues arising from the current environment.
As always, SMSF professionals and their clients have relied heavily on SMSF service providers to guide them through this period of change. Partnering with firms that are adaptable and agile is critical at the moment and has a direct impact on the confidence and satisfaction of clients.
Now in its eighth year, the SMSF Awards recognises the excellence and innovation of the best-performing operators servicing SMSF professionals. The winners are based on a survey which was distributed to SMSF Adviser’s database of SMSF professionals. The results were collated and determined by an independent analyst.
FIXED INCOME PROVIDER WINNER: La Trobe Financial
Highly commended: Macquarie
With interest rates currently at record lows and unlikely to increase any time soon, delivering steady returns to investors while ensuring fixed income investments remain truly defensive is becoming increasingly difficult. La Trobe Financial, this year’s winner, has a long history of delivering extensive fixed income solutions for SMSF clients.
Chris Andrews, chief investment officer, La Trobe Financial
We are delighted to win this prestigious award for – Fixed Income Provider.
Being acknowledged as the best in the industry by Advisers is a real honour.
For seven decades, La Trobe Financial has been committed to supporting investors and we don’t take lightly our responsibility to be good stewards of our investors’ capital.
Since 1952 we have made it our purpose to assist Australians achieve their financial goals. This award is a real tribute to the tremendous efforts of our exceptional and experienced team. When markets turned volatile in March and April last year, they leaned in as they always do and put our customers’ needs first.
With over $5.842 billion AUM the La Trobe Australian Credit Fund offers investments focused first on capital preservation and second on premium, low-volatility income. The Fund’s performance in times of low interest rates continues to attract attention across the market.
CASH AND TERM DEPOSIT PLATFORM: AUSTRALIAN MONEY MARKET
Highly commended: CashWerkz
Offering SMSF professionals and their clients the ability to compare different types of cash and term deposit accounts in one platform is a highly valuable service in the current environment. With the economy extremely volatile and interest rates at record lows, advisers are looking to access the best rates and features for their clients. Cash and term deposit platforms can help to make that process easier.
Stephen Jewell, managing director, Australian Money Market
AMM would like to thank those who supported us by taking the time to vote for AMM as their preferred Cash & Term Deposit solution. We are very proud to have won this award for the sixth consecutive year and pleased to be recognised for our commitment to deliver an intuitive service offering to SMSF clients and their advisers.
With the RBA cash rate at a historic low, we have been working hard to ensure that we provide our users with an increased breadth of investments options. This includes over 50 managed fund products (for advised clients), deposit products from over 25 ADIs and the ability to access OTC bonds, all available through the marketplace.
For those who haven’t heard of us or viewed our online marketplace, we would certainly like the opportunity to demonstrate the functionality of the service and the cost and time savings that come with it. Call us on 1300 306 281 to arrange an online demonstration or visit our website to find our more.
