BARCLAYS' INITIATIVE: Banking on insurers.

(From Life Insurance International)

UK banking group Barclays has launched a new financial planning service that utilises a range of products from six big life insurance groups. Martin Owens reports Barclays has gone live with a comprehensive financial planning service for its UK retail customers that will provide access to a range of third party investment and protection products.

Called Select Choice, the financial planning advice service will distribute products and services from Axa, Friends Provident, Legal & General, Norwich Union, Prudential and Standard Life.

Bond investment funds will be available from Axa, Friends Provident, Legal & General, Norwich Union and Prudential, while inheritance tax plans will be provided by Axa, Friends Provident and Norwich Union. Group stakeholder pension plans will be offered by Barclays' advisers from the product stables of Friends Provident, Legal & General and Standard Life.

In the area of protection, critical illness cover will be provided by …