National
Australia Bank[tag] aims to get back on its feet with a push in
retirement products.
Launched by the firm’s wealth management unit MLC, the Let’s
Save Retirement campaign will capitalise on the country’s
approcimate A$1 trillion ($905 billion) retirement savings gap,
the firm said in a statement.
According to Bloomberg, NAB is trying to claw back
2013’s losses, where profits before exceptional items at the
bank’s wealth unit fell 13 per cent to A$482 million in the
financial year ending 30 September. The firm had a total loss
of 1 per cent for the year.
This was at a time where other wealth units prospered, both
Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac Banking posted
profits last year.
Head of NAB’s wealth business Andrew Hagger reportedly said
problems MLC now faces could be different if its acquisition
was handled differently upon finalisation in 2000.
“In hindsight, a closer integration with the bank soon after
the acquisition of MLC, would have put the business in a
stronger position,” he told the news service.
However, a reshuffle of the wealth management leadership team
and the pension campaign may help to change the firm’s
fortunes.
Set to be rolled out across Australia in an ostentatious
fashion, not limited to an interactive diorama on the future of
retirement at the Australian Museum and a multi-media
advertising drive, the Let’s Save Retirement campaign aims to
encourage individuals to seek financial advice to help them
grow, maximise and protect their retirement savings, including
super.
"This is a national issue and we're committed to being the
champions of retirement and activists of change,” said Hagger,
as the average super balance for Australians aged between 60-64
is currently $155,400, while today's retirees require at least
A$430,000 per person.