FWD Singapore and Ascend Asia partner on financial advisory services

Firms will collaborate on analytics, technology, and advisory tools.

FWD Singapore and Ascend Asia Financial Services Group have signed a long-term strategic partnership to expand access to insurance and investment solutions through Ascend Asia’s open architecture financial advisory platform.

Under the partnership, Ascend Asia customers across retail, mass affluent, and high-net-worth segments will gain access to FWD’s financial advisory solutions, including life insurance, investment-linked products, and wealth offerings.

Ascend Asia Asset Management funds will also be added as sub-funds to FWD’s investment-linked product portfolio, giving customers more investment options.

The partnership combines FWD’s product capabilities and digital servicing with Ascend Asia’s adviser network, governance framework and technology platform.

The two companies will also collaborate on analytics and technology initiatives to improve customer insights and advisory tools.

FWD Singapore CEO Adrian Vincent said the partnership supports the growth of Singapore’s open architecture financial advisory model and aims to strengthen financial planning services.

“With consumers becoming increasingly discerning about how they access financial advice and ongoing support, we are confident in the future of the open architecture model and congratulate Ascend Asia on its investment in strengthening the independent financial advisory ecosystem,” he added.

Ascend Asia CEO Tomas Urbanec said the collaboration will provide advisers and clients with wider access to customer-focused solutions and technology-enabled experiences.

“Our mission is to empower our member firms with the strategic investment, structure and tools they need to thrive and support their clients along their wealth journeys,” he said. “Close collaboration with our partners in areas like product and customer proposition development extends choice for customers and amplifies the impact of our open architecture model.

The partnership was commemorated at an event held at the newly launched Ascend Asia Wealth Centre, attended by senior leaders from FWD Singapore, FWD Group, Ascend Asia and representatives from Ascend Asia’s member firms. Guests included Vincent, Urbanec, FWD Group Senior Managing Director for Southeast Asia Binayak Dutta, and members of the management teams from both organisations.