The Lang Cat’s Analyser adds STAR transfer data and accreditation

The Lang Cat’s due diligence and research tool for advice professionals, Analyser, has added STAR transfer participation and accreditation data to strengthen adviser due diligence.

The addition aims to make it easier for advisers to research and compare platform transfer times and processes.

Analyser is the first independent adviser research and suitability tool to include STAR datapoints across ISAs, GIAs, and personal pensions.

Advisers will be able to consider transfer performance alongside scale, financial strength, price, and functionality, as well as more subjective factors such as service and past user experience, when researching and comparing platforms.

“We're delighted to add STAR accreditation data to Analyser, alongside our existing Origo Options Transfer Service membership datapoint,” commented The Lang Cat digital director, Terry Huddart.

“A lot of client money moving onto, or between, platforms happens via transfers, and time lags or lack of clarity can be frustrating for advisers and clients.

“It's an area advisers have little direct control over. The client experience depends on the ceding and receiving providers, and the wider industry mechanics, working well.”

Huddart said the firm had thoroughly reviewed STAR’s accreditation process, which assesses transfer speed and best practice at product level, with providers awarded a specific band of accreditation.

“It helps shine a light on this important part of the market, and rewards those going further on transparency and performance,” he continued.

“Bringing STAR's accreditation ratings, and the level each provider has achieved, together with Origo membership in Analyser gives advisers a fuller picture of how providers perform on transfers.”

STAR chair, Andrew Marker, added: “Poor transfer experiences cause frustration for advisers, uncertainty for clients and avoidable costs across the industry.

“Transfer performance is also one of the clearest tests of whether a platform can deliver on its promises, and as regulatory scrutiny of transfers increases, advisers need independent evidence of that performance.

“By bringing the full range of STAR accreditations into Analyser, the lang cat is giving advisers access to independent evidence of performance across the end-to-end transfer journey for both electronic and paper-based transfers.”

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