Investors prefer managing investments via web, remain open to non-financial providers

Australian and New Zealand investors agree with global peers that websites are the most preferred means of investing,  although apps and email are growing in favour.

Incumbent providers of financial services continue to face challenges from non-traditional competitors.  47 percent of all respondents entertain the idea of buying investment products from a big technology brand, up 3% from 2020.  This reflects a slightly positive shift among Australian investors, notably more pronounced in New Zealand where the response was up four percentage points. 

Ross Fox (pictured), Managing Director, Head of Australia and New Zealand at Calastone, said, “Calastone’s research shows that COVID-19 and its implications for people and markets have continued to be a tailwind for investment in managed funds.

“Investors adopting a more proactive and opportunistic approach is also evident in the flow of funds that we continue to see across our network, with A$10.2 billion flowing into Australian based managed funds this year.

“This latest pulse check shows that investors have overcome some of the anxiety they expressed in earlier surveys, particularly in Australia, which perhaps signals a growing acceptance of living with Covid.

“It is possible that the mass shift to remote working environments has instilled greater familiarity and confidence with digital platforms among older generations, bringing them more in line with the behaviours of more technology trusting Millennials.

“While Australia currently feels the weight of Covid while other parts of the world appear to be recovering from the pandemic, rising levels of local engagement, ease of investing and product knowledge is a testament to the efforts of fund managers and distributors who have kept investors well informed and engaged throughout the last 18 months”, he concluded.