Growth & Jobs | More online options for investors

Jamaica is in the early stages of an online investment revolution, says Allan Lewis, managing director of JN Fund Managers.

"Investors frequently go online to research their options, and a growing number are using the medium to carry out transactions," Lewis said.

"Therefore, companies in the industry, such as JN Fund Managers, are reshaping their operations to accommodate this trend."

He added: "Customers are demanding more options to access their brokers.

Up-to-date data

"Making a call to a broker is being supplemented by the availability of up-to-date market information on our company's website, and we are expanding the capacity for individual persons to access their accounts."

Lewis said that the investment management company has rolled out a new online platform to serve those needs. He pointed out that although the Government's National Financial Inclusion Strategy, released in 2017, revealed a low usage of electronic banking tools, members of the investment community are among the most tech-savvy in the population.

"Our customers can now reach us at any time from anywhere in the world," he said. "And information will be available at their fingertips."

Lewis was speaking at a function to update the managers from across the Jamaica National Group on the new JN Fund Managers online platform and its new products and services at the company's headquarters in New Kingston on March 22.

... Client experience enhanced, says Whitelocke

Sharon Whitelocke, deputy general manager, JN Fund Managers, says that the company's new online platform is enhancing the capacity of its existing website at www.jnfunds.com.

"Clients now have a comprehensive view of their investment portfolio and the individual securities that make it up such as bonds, equities, treasury bills, repurchase agreements, and mutual funds," Whitelocke said as she addressed a function to update the managers from across the Jamaica National Group on the new online platform.

"This is an enhancement from the status prior to February, when clients could only access data on their repurchase agreements," she added.

"This new platform provides users with the opportunity to see the overall returns of their portfolio, as well as the performance of each security," the deputy general manager said.

"They can also access their contract notes, statements, [and] income calendar and are able to view their transactions online."

Online trading

A second stage of the platform is being developed, which will allow clients to conduct online trading in equities, she stated.

"Clients will be able to have a self-directed experience in buying and selling shares," Whitelocke further explained.

"The platform will also allow them to speak to their advisers by online chat, video, or screen share."

She pointed out that these upgrades reflect the wider online thrust to reach out to clients taking place across its fellow member companies in the Jamaica National Group.

Leesa Kow, deputy managing director, JN Bank, said that the institution was increasing access to its JN Live online platform, allowing members anywhere in the world to do their online banking.

Online payment options have been increased, and members can look forward to moving funds from their bank accounts into different payment systems, such as PayPal.

"Financial transactions will increasingly take place online simply because of its efficiency and convenience," Kow stated.

"This allows institutions, such as JN Fund Managers and JN Bank, to reach our members here in Jamaica and in the diaspora and, at the same time, serve them better than ever."