Aequitas NEO Connect (“NEO Connect”) is pleased to announce the launch of Offering Memorandum (“OM”) funds on Canada’s newest fund distribution platform. NEO Connect now makes it possible to purchase and redeem both prospectus and OM funds in the same way as buying and selling Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), enabling efficiencies and cost savings that ultimately benefit the end investor.
“Our innovative technology enables fund manufacturers, portfolio managers and investment advisors to be more efficient, to the benefit of the end investor,” added Jos Schmitt, President & CEO, NEO Connect. “Our first and best solution is a game changer that is influencing how the industry thinks and acts about investing today, and into the future. With NEO Connect now supporting OM funds, we are not only growing our offering but taking our first operational step towards servicing the Canadian private markets, in line with our original commitment.”
Since the operational launch of NEO Connect, assets under management in the existing Invesco PTFTM products have grown substantially and are edging towards $150 million. There has also been a steady rise in the number of investment dealers signing up, with 10 now active on the platform. Access to NEO Connect is available at no cost for all Canadian investment dealers and an initial test trade can be organized and executed within 24 hours. GMP Securities and Qtrade Investor each completed live trades on the platform in Q4 ’16. Aligned Capital Partners Inc. was the first dealer to transact OM based funds.
“In order to do what is right for investors, we need to continue to look for ways to minimize the conflict of interest that exists between advisors and fund manufacturers. NEO Connect helps us do that,” added Chris Enright, President and Managing Director, Aligned Capital Partners. “The platform enables fund manufacturers to offer the best priced product for all investors regardless of their size and to provide access to new and innovative investments for portfolio managers and advisors to use in their portfolios. The ease and efficiency of the platform allows these professionals to spend time managing their clients’ money, not over-burdened by administrative tasks.”
NEO Connect provides hassle free transactions for advisors and portfolio managers. With bulk trading capability and ETF-like processing efficiency, they simply enter the unique ticker symbol and the number of units through their existing securities trading system.
