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This week in Cover Notes we look at what is happening with market share in the life insurance market and related trends.

A growing are of business is online sales. I know many advisers and brokers aren't particularly interested in this area, but our story this week is worth a read about how a merger will create a big sales channel.

One of the more contentious stories of note has been the naming and shaming of advisers. This week we have an update on the IFA's stance with its disciplinary bylaws.

Insurance News

Members clear way for IFA's new disciplinary bylaw
The Institute of Financial Advisers' new disciplinary bylaws to bring it in line with other professional organisations have been passed by its membership at its council meeting last month. More

Merger heralds mega ambitions for online financial firm
Wellington-based online insurance firm Inform has merged with the like-minded Christchurch company LifeDirect in the first phase of creating a financial services "mega-site", according to director, Mark Solomon. More

Advisers selling risk over investment products
Financial advisers have turned back to selling insurance products as demand for investment vehicles remains low in the global economic downturn, according to Fidelity Life's chief executive Milton More

Attention turns to risk products as demand for investment wanes
Financial advisers have turned back to risk insurance products as demand for investment vehicles dwindle in the global economic downturn, according to Fidelity Life's chief executive. More

People

Auckland lawyer, insurance executive and governance adviser, Giselle McLachlan, has been appointed as an Independent Director of the Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA). More