First for the professional personal financial adviser
30 SEPTEMBER 2026 R69.95 INCL VAT @MoneyMarketingSA
WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR SEPTEMBER ISSUE:
Platforms are becoming the backbone of modern advice
PLATFORMS Investment platforms have become the backbone of the adviser value chain, but choosing the right one is increasingly complex. As consolidation reshapes the landscape and fees come under pressure, we examine what advisers should look for and which platforms are raising the bar. Cover story
ESTATE PLANNING AND TRUSTS Estate planning has moved far beyond drafting a will and setting up a trust. With shifting tax regimes, growing wealth complexity and a new generation of clients expecting more, advisers who can navigate the nuances of estate duty, trust structures and beneficiary planning are more valuable than ever. Pg8-17
ACTIVELY MANAGED EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS The rise of actively managed ETFs is blurring the line between passive and active investing. We explore how AMETFs are gaining traction in South Africa, what they offer over traditional index-tracking products, and whether they represent a genuine shift in how advisers build portfolios. Pg18-20
INVESTING From structured products that offer downside protection to a listed property sector finding its feet again, the investing landscape is giving advisers more tools to work with. We unpack the opportunities and risks.
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Pg21-25
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By Sandy Welch
Editor, MoneyMarketing
F
or financial advisers, platforms are increasingly becoming the infrastructure through which advice is delivered, investments are managed and clients experience their entire financial lives. That shift is being driven by rising compliance and technology costs, increasingly sophisticated client expectations and a growing demand for simpler, more transparent ways of managing wealth. For advisers, the right platform can remove administrative friction and create more time for what matters most: advice and relationships. For Standard Bank Group, this is at the heart of its investment strategy. The group is bringing together its banking, investment, wealth and platform capabilities to create a more integrated proposition for advisers and their clients. “The true advantage of Standard Bank lies in its extensive relationships with millions of South Africans through our banking services, giving us a deep understanding of their financial needs,” says Duncan Wattam, Head of Standard Bank Investments. Alongside this reach, the group has specialist advisory teams, including: Wealth and Investment, Standard Bank Financial Consultants, Liberty Advisory Partners and Stone House Capital, supported by our investment manufacturing capabilities businesses, including STANLIB, Liberty Investments, Global Markets, 1nvest, Melville Douglas, Stockbroking and INN8 Invest. “The ambition is to connect these capabilities through a single advisory relationship, giving advisers access to a broader range of investment solutions, specialist strategies and discretionary services, through our on- and offshore platforms,” he says. Platforms as the backbone of advice Wattam describes platforms as “the backbone of the investment world”, providing a secure
environment where investments can be held, viewed and managed. For advisers, a well-designed platform can take much of the administrative burden out of managing investments, while for clients, it can replace a fragmented collection of statements, accounts and providers with a consolidated view of their financial position. But building this infrastructure is complex. It requires significant investment in technology, funding and scale, as well as the ability to serve a large client base. Standard Bank believes its scale gives it an advantage. “We are creating local and global platform capabilities where advisers can concentrate on providing advice without worrying about paperwork, while clients enjoy a unified view of all their financial accounts, including banking and investments, in one accessible location,” says Wattam. The scale behind this ambition is significant. Standard Bank’s Investment and Asset Management business manages and advises on R1.8tn in assets and has 50 years of investment management experience. Simplifying a complicated investment journey The growing importance of platforms comes at a time when the financial advice industry itself is undergoing significant change. Wattam identifies a few major shifts. The first is consolidation within the advice industry, as rising compliance and technology costs make it increasingly difficult for smaller firms to manage every aspect of their businesses independently. This is creating demand for partners that can provide infrastructure and technology while allowing advisers to remain focused on their core role. The second is a change in client expectations. Consumers are increasingly less receptive to being sold products and more interested in advice that reflects their individual circumstances. Continued on next page
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