Halo Investing (Halo), an independent, multi-issuer technology platform for structured notes, has launched a new annuities platform.
Built on Halo’s core marketplace, the new centralised marketplace enables financial advisors to explore, transact, and manage annuities in a simplified way. The platform includes numerous annuity options and strategies from several leading carriers, including Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life).
The annuities launch is part of Halo’s broader strategy to provide advisors with a comprehensive independent platform to access innovative protective investment options. The fully digitised annuities platform streamlines execution and management across the annuity lifecycle, helping advisors provide retirement income for clients more efficiently and cost-effectively. Halo also has a team of annuity experts and an outsourced insurance desk who can serve as the licensed agent of record for advisors.
“It’s critical that advisors and investors have access to advanced investment tools and resources to build resilient portfolios using proven products like annuities,” says Biju Kulathakal, Co-Founder & CEO of Halo. “Halo simplifies the annuities lifecycle with an expert team and an end-to-end technology solution, giving advisors another protective investment option to meet their client objectives. We are excited for the next stage of our product journey and look forward to helping the annuities industry advance to the digital era.”
Halo’s modern platform includes a range of investment options including fixed, variable, and registered index-linked annuities.
“Individuals are struggling to save for retirement and lack opportunities for dependable retirement income without taking on unnecessary risks,” says Jason Barsema, Co-Founder & President of Halo. “Advisers need more investment options in today’s low yield environment, and annuities can provide income and predictable outcomes for investors. As part of our mission to help individuals meet their retirement goals, we will continue to add products, carriers, and features to facilitate a simplified annuities and protective investing experience.”
“Our partnership with Halo allows us to make our products available to advisors, including RIAs, who we are currently not able to reach via traditional channels,” says Eric Thomes, Chief Distribution Officer for Allianz Life. “Our risk management products can play an important role as part of a holistic financial plan, and Halo gives advisors access to additional product options so that they are able to help their clients seek the best possible outcomes.”
Halo continues to invest and develop its advanced technology platform to provide access to a range of protective investment solutions. Today, there are more than 30 leading global banks as active structured notes issuers, driving a five-fold increase in structured note deal volumes on Halo. The company also partnered with AllianzIM for buffered ETFs.
Halo was named one of the top ten most innovative fintechs in the world in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2021. The company was also named a top fintech to work for in 2021 by American Banker, won a Red Herring Top 100 North America Award, and ranked as a top finance company by Welp Magazine.
