NCB HAS become the latest wealth management firm to get on board the mobile applications movement, with the launch of a new smart device app that enables clients to monitor their investment portfolio on the go.
The Dublin stockbroking house has teamed up with Vodafone to develop its new app, NCB Client View, which can be accessed by smart device users regardless of their mobile network provider.
The free app has been developed with cross-platform capability, which means that it is compatible with iPhones, BlackBerrys (version six onwards), phones powered by Android as well as Windows 7 devices.
While non-NCB clients can view general stock market research through the app, clients are able to access restricted research and view their investment portfolio and account information.
Last October, Davy launched a stock market app for the iPhone which offers access to the latest market prices and exchange rates.
However NCB decided against providing share price information through its app, as Bloomberg and others already provide this service. There’s no point in reinventing the wheel, NCB’s Derek Crawley says.
Instead, the app’s unique selling point is that it offers clients the ability to check their investment positions throughout the day while they’re on the move.
However, it does not allow clients to make trades or adjust their portfolios. Mr Crawley says the app is a “stepping stone” towards that point.
He believes that in time, Irish investors will be able to trade regardless of whether they are sitting at their office desktop or using a smart device on the go.
“Traditionally, online and mobile financial services apps tend to be focused on pricing or research,” says Nigel Poynton, head of portfolio management at NCB.
“Developing a suite of online tools that goes a step further and provides clients with direct access to up-to-date financial information and their investment portfolios reinforces NCB’s ongoing commitment to providing a superior account management service and enhancing the client experience.”
