Australia: Navigator expands direct shares offer

Investors in the Navigator Personal Investment Plan will now have access to a wide range of ASX listed shares.

Launched late last year to investors in the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan, the addition of shares has proven extremely popular with financial advisers and their clients.

Navigator Personal Retirement Plan and Personal Investment Plan will now offer a range of ASX listed shares plus over 170 managed funds.

And, with the high proportion of share ownership in Australia, there are many investors who could benefit from one point of contact for all their investment needs. Right now, 55 per cent of Australia’s adult population, or approximately eight million people own shares either directly or indirectly through a managed fund or self managed superannuation fund.¹

Working in conjunction with Etrade Australia Securities Ltd (E*TRADE) Navigator now offers a completely integrated share service for financial advisers through both the Navigator retirement and investment services.

Tim Cobb, Navigator’s general manager Products, said he was very pleased to be able to extend the share offer to investors of the Navigator Personal Investment Plan, as it really provides investors with a full range of investment options.

"In the six months since we launched the share offering in the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan we have seen a great response and I believe we will see even more interest in shares in the investment service," says Tim.

The relationship with E*TRADE and Navigator means financial advisers can efficiently add shares to a client’s portfolio using state-of-the-art online technology.

"Quite simply this is about a client being able to look after all their investment needs by visiting one financial professional," commented Tim.

The breadth of investment options now available is ideal for trustees of Self Managed Super Funds (SMSF) using Navigator Personal Investment Plan as their investment vehicle. Navigator currently manages in excess of $1 billion of SMSF investments.

In a further enhancement to the overall service, Navigator has also teamed up with two renowned independent share research providers - Aegis Independent Equities Research and Aspect Huntley.

Advisers using Navigator’s n-link software can access the subscription services of these two leading share research providers, and thereby provide quality advice to their clients.

"Navigator is always looking at ways to better service its advisers and this partnership really demonstrates our commitment to equities on the Navigator platform," said Tim.

For further information on Navigator please contact your financial adviser.

¹Australian Stock Exchange, Australian Share Ownership Study 2004.

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For further information please contact:
Simon Morgan
Group General Manager Public Affairs
Phone: (03) 9829 8892
Mobile: 0407 966 632

Notes to editors:

• Aviva Australia is a group of two specialist financial services companies: Navigator and Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd. Portfolio Partners is the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc. Through these companies we provide products and services in the areas of wealth creation and wealth protection for more than 300,000 customers throughout Australia.
• Globally, Aviva Australia is part of Aviva plc, the world’s fifth largest insurance group, the largest insurer in the UK and one of the top five life companies in Europe. Aviva was formed in May 2000 through the global merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc.
• Aviva is a leading provider of life and pensions products to Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales from continuing operations of A$78.6 billion, and more than A$645 billion of assets under management (as at 7July 2005). The group has more than 60,000 employees and 30 million customers worldwide.
• The information in this document reflects Navigator Australia Limited's ('Navigator’) understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. The information given in this document is of a general nature and has not taken into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person and it is not a substitute for professional advice. Applications to invest in a financial product issued by Navigator, or any of its related entities, must be made by completing the application form attached to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement ("PDS"). A PDS is available from Navigator or your financial adviser. Before making an investment decision on the basis of the information above, a prospective investor needs to consider, with or without the assistance of a professional adviser whether the information is appropriate in the light of their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Aviva does not receive any remuneration in relation to the provision of information available from this press release which is of a general nature only.
• The E*TRADE Australia service is provided by ETRADE Australia Securities Ltd (trading as ’E*TRADE Australia’) (CAN 078 174 973, AFSL No. 238277), a Participant of the Australian Stock Exchange Ltd Group and wholly owned subsidiary of ETRADE Australia Ltd. @ 2003 E*TRADE Financial Corporation and E*TRADE Australia. All rights reserved.