The latest news in investment offerings, financial products and other services relevant to wealth advisors and their clients.

Manulife 
Manulife Singapore, part of Canada-headquartered Manulife, has launched Signature Indexed Universal Life Select (III), “SIULS (III)”, an Indexed Universal Life solution.

SIULS (III) is designed for high net worth individuals seeking to preserve, grow, and transfer wealth across generations. It provides access to five indices – including the S&P 500, S&P PRISM, S&P GSCI Gold ER Index, Hang Seng, and Euro Stoxx 50. 

The exposure gives upside potential while protecting policyholders from market downturns through a 0 per cent return floor, Manulife Singapore said in a recent statement.

“With shifting global trade conditions and increasing financial unpredictability, traditional investment strategies alone may no longer suffice. Having a resilient financial strategy that can withstand market fluctuations and adapt to changing conditions has never been more crucial,” Thomas Lee, chief product officer of Manulife Singapore, said.

Manulife Singapore explained the rationale for the new offering by citing a recent Lombard Odier report showing that 56 per cent of Singapore’s HNW individuals have gravitated towards diversification strategies to manage financial uncertainty, while more than half (53 per cent) are turning to safer assets. 

Depending on the chosen index, participation rates can vary. Most indices offer up to 100 per cent index returns, subject to a cap rate, the firm said. 

Death coverage is whole of life, while terminal illness coverage is up to age 99.

In late April, Manulife Singapore and Manulife Investments enhanced Manulife iFUNDS. The entities said it is the first integrated digital wealth platform in Singapore to provide Manulife financial consultants with a consolidated view of their customers’ unit trust and Investment-Linked Plan (ILP) holdings.