ING to Launch New Advisor Platform in Q4

ING U.S., through its broker-dealer, ING Financial Partners, says it will roll out a new wealth-management platform for its roughly 1,500 affiliated independent financial advisors and their clients in the fourth quarter of 2013.

“The new platform consolidates a household’s financial information into one place, making it easier for both the client and his or her financial advisor to see the complete picture, as well as analyze budgets, investments and retirement projections,” said Christina Hurley (left), head of products for ING U.S. Retirement Solutions Individual Markets, in a press release on Wednesday.

“We’ve been listening to our financial advisors and are responding with the tools and support they need for their advisory business. We know that their clients need holistic financial planning, and this platform can help align their financial plans to their goals,” explained Hurley.

ING U.S. says that the new platform is based on two key parts: one that offers new online capabilities for both advisors and clients to use independently or at the same time, and another that brings advisors enhanced capabilities to help them manage their business, including the ability to make financial transactions in a single, integrated environment.

Other key benefits and features of the platform are:

“As the need for financial advice continues to grow, tools that help to deepen relationships and accentuate a financial advisor’s value will be increasingly important,” said Andre Robinson, head of advisory business development at ING Financial Partners, in a statement.

“Our new platform will help to increase real-time collaboration with clients. Clients want a complete view of their financial picture at their fingertips, while advisors want tools that help them assess their clients’ financial situation and take action,” Robinson noted.

ING U.S. (VOYA),the American insurance entity of ING Group NV, is in the process of changing its name to Voya Financial in the near future. It completed its IPO in April and expects the name change to be complete by April 2016. The U.S. unit is led by former American International Group executive Rodney Martin.