Platform upgrade news

Find out what's new

Giving you more time - helping you work efficiently

We're introducing a range of powerful online self-service tools designed to help improve efficiency and give you more time to focus on your clients.

Illustrations made easy

Our intuitive technology joins up the illustration and application process for most products, pre-populating client details for a faster, simpler experience.

New Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Tool

Assists in precise tax planning. Also forecasts ‘what if’ scenarios.

Streamlined compliance

Speed up application processes with real-time Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and sanction checks

Contributions

All contributions – apart from Offshore Bond top ups - can now be managed online, simplifying and securing the process.

E-signatures

Enjoy the convenience of expanded digital signature use for applications, direct debits and adviser charges, so business can be instructed promptly.

Notifications

Stay informed with helpful notifications alerting you to new information added to the platform or action you need to take.

Effortless online drawdown

Seamlessly manage crystallisation events and ongoing income requirements for your clients, reducing the need for repetitive instructions.

Management Information

Gain actionable insights through an array of on-demand reports tailored to your needs.

Product improvements

Introduction of Bed and ISA

Proceeds from the sale of existing investments held in certain GIA products can be used to top-up an ISA - all in one instruction, maximising tax allowances.

Learn more about our Nucleus ISA

New flexible ISA

Existing ISAs will become flexi-access ISAs - meaning your clients can take withdrawals and then make further subscriptions into their ISA within the same tax year, provided the total net annual ISA allowance isn’t exceeded.

Unbundling products for more flexibility

Our products can now be taken out independently from each other. Modular iPlan customers no longer have to hold a SIPP to have an ISA or GIA.

Instant tax relief

We've eliminated the delay in claiming basic-rate tax relief for eligible net SIPP contributions, enabling access to investment returns on higher gross contributions from the outset.

Plus...

Regular flexi drawdown (phased): Now available – providing greater flexibility for accessing pension funds.
Addition of Offshore Bond: Offshore Bonds will now be available within a Modular iPlan. Provided by RL360, the Modular Offshore Bond offers either Life Assured or Capital Redemption policies, providing a wider range of tax efficient planning solutions.
Find out more about the Nucleus Offshore Bond
And simplified product charges: We're simplifying our charges – full details are available on the Products and charges page.

Improved investment opportunities

Alongside our new product offerings, we've upgraded our investment options:

Expanded model portfolios:
Whether models are managed on a discretionary or advisory basis, you will be able to select cash and ETIs (alongside funds) within the models, hold multiple models at the same time for a client’s product, and hold other assets alongside a model.
Integrated stockbroking service:
The platform features a share-dealing service, giving you an efficient and transparent way to manage your clients' needs.
More choice:
A wide selection of UK ETIs (e.g. ETFs) are now available, giving you far more options for your clients.
Cash panel:
Bondsmith will provide access to an extensive range of fixed term deposit accounts for our SIPP, and these will also now be available through our GIA. Any existing cash panel holding will be transferred.

Your clients can continue to use their EQi or Stocktrade accounts exactly as they do today. However, no new accounts can be opened after the upgrade, as our new integrated stockbroking service will be available.

EQIs online and telephone access remains, including single sign on.

Updated terms and conditions

After upgrading to the Nucleus Platform, new terms and conditions will apply. If your clients don’t wish to change to our new terms for any reason, they have the option to transfer out. If we’re unable to complete the transfer of their products before they’re upgraded to our new platform, we’ll honour the existing terms and conditions while the transfer is completed.

We no longer apply exit fees when a customer chooses to leave any of our products. Charges for transferring a property do, however, continue to apply.

Our key changes summary documents outline what’s changed. We’ll provide the relevant document to your clients.

Key information

Letting your clients know when the upgrade will happen

Changes to our standard service ahead of the upgrade

A simpler approach to adviser charges