Investec updates system

Johannesburg, 21 Apr 2008

Investec Private Client Securities has upgraded its customer trading system in order to provide increasingly savvy users with a "full value service".

The division's Johannesburg head, Raymond Goss, says the updated system provides as many "bells and whistles" as possible.

"The old version was designed specifically to enable clients to see their portfolio. It had a little bit of a trading feature, but that was basically the sum total of the system. Over time, however, our clients have become far more tech-savvy, so two years ago we decided to take a new look at the system," he explains.

On the Web

The fully secured Web site, Investec Securities Online, now gives customers access to a range of information options, as well as various trading options. The site is customisable.

On the general information side, users can access the latest news from the Stock Exchange News Service (SENS), corporate action, real-time market commentary, research, local and international indices, currency performance and upcoming events, among others. Desktop and cellular stock tickers are also available for download.

In terms of customised information, users are able to view and manage their own portfolios as well as create a "watch list" of companies that they are particularly interested in. With the watch list, users can monitor relevant SENS announcements emerging from these businesses, track corporate activity, and detailed performance.

As for trading, users are able to make trades, set parameters for real-time SMS and e-mail alerts on share movements, and view detailed transaction histories, including trades, interest, cash dividends, capital flows, account balances and management fees.

More to come

The changes to the system reflect increasing demands from customers, says Goss.

"Many of our customers want to be fully involved in the management of their portfolios now. Dealing with a particular stock broker is less attractive than it was, but empowerment through our intellectual capital is in great demand."

Although these types of dealings typically deliver a lower profit margin, the trading volumes and frequency are "more than making up" the shortfall, reveals Goss. For this reason, the company is already working on the next phase of improvements.

"This must be one of the most exciting times for technology and the stock broking market. The technology that is available means that we are able to provide a full value service to our customers. Our next phase will be making the experience completely personalised where we push the right information at the right time to each of our customers," he enthuses.

"We have the critical mass of customers to support this type of activity, now we are actively watching patterns and trends to see where we can add even more value," concludes Goss.