Published by Ian Lundahl on 16 Apr 2010
We were recently granted access to view an account display for Fidelity’s MetLife Growth and Guaranteed Income variable annuity (MGGI), released in late November 2009 and reviewed in the November 23, 2009 Annuity Monitor Update.
Published by Ben Pousty on 13 Apr 2010
AXA Equitable recently became the first Annuity Monitor firm to implement digital document delivery. Annuity policyholders received their 2009 annual reports - normally a bulky, hundred-plus page paper booklet - on a single compact disc. This convenient distribution method will help save not only the environment but also millions in operating expenses. Continue Reading »
Published by Ian Lundahl on 09 Apr 2010
A recent Ignites article suggests that one excellent cost saving opportunity being overlooked by annuity providers is the promotion of eDelivery to investors. This conclusion is based on the NewRiver survey, which polled over 500 variable annuity or variable universal life insurance policy owners, aged 45 or older. The article raises some excellent points as to the possible reasons for the lack of promotions, including the high degree of compliance regulation applicable to annuities that may impact the streamlined delivery of electronic documents.
However, after taking a closer look at our Annuity Monitor coverage firms, we found that 79% of the firms we track are currently promoting electronic delivery to their clients. Continue Reading »
Published by Ian Lundahl on 08 Apr 2010
March was a busy month for the Corporate Insight tracked firms. Perhaps the most notable changes this month took place in the credit card space, as every firm in our Credit Card Monitor coverage group made announcements about changes relating to the CARD Act. Every firm posted notices alerting customers that their statements had been made available online. Additionally, several firms, including American Express, HSBC and U.S. Bank, either updated or announced updates to their monthly statements. HSBC also removed its Rush Payment service, which allowed customers to post same-day payments for a fee of $15. Prior to eliminating Rush Payment, HSBC had been the only Credit Card Monitor firm to charge customers for same-day online payments. Continue Reading »
Published by Ben Pousty on 08 Apr 2010
By Ben Pousty, Corporate Insight, March 03, 2010
TIAA-CREF’s TC Listens website is an innovative new medium for obtaining client feedback online.
Financial services firms have always coveted feedback and opinions about their websites and online services. This information offers an invaluable blueprint for improving the user-experience for three key audiences—prospective investors, clients and financial professionals. It also sheds light on the practices of competitors.
