TORONTO, Sept. 25 /CNW/ – Sun Life Financial Trust Inc., a member of
the Sun Life Financial group of companies, announced today that it has signed an agreement
with Berkshire Investment Group Inc. and Berkshire Securities Inc., to launch the
Berkshire Premium Program. The Program will start at the beginning of October and will be
available through Berkshire financial advisors in conjunction with Sun Life Financial Trust.
Under the terms of the non-exclusive agreement, Berkshire
financial advisors will solicit applications for a variety of Sun Life Financial Trust
products white-labelled for Berkshire, including high interest savings and chequing
accounts, debit card capabilities, overdraft protection, lines of credit, mortgage
services and other financial products. The agreement also includes the provision of other
third-party financial services and products to Berkshire.
“This agreement with Berkshire demonstrates our
strategic commitment to provide private-labelled financial services products and services
to the advisor community,” said Tom Gregoriades, President, Sun Life Financial Trust
Inc. “As a result, our expanded product distribution capability, along with our
customer-centric support facilities, enable the advisor community to bring added value to
the client/advisor relationship.”
“The Berkshire Premium Program includes a complete
financial program for Berkshire clients’ everyday needs, combining high interest earning
accounts, borrowing power and interest savings, flexible account access and fast,
convenient, customer service,” said Frank Laferriere, Berkshire’s Chief Financial Officer.
Among the white-labelled products, the Berkshire Premium
Program client card is a safe and convenient alternative to cash. Within Canada, the
client card can be used at thousands of ATM’s to withdraw cash and at over 300,000
retailers to pay for purchases, wherever Interac(R) direct payment is accepted.
Internationally, it can be used wherever the Cirrus(R) sign is shown.
The new Berkshire Premium Rate Account is also a premium
savings and chequing account that allows the Berkshire client to earn interest on every
dollar in their chequing account, everyday. The interest rate compares favourably to some
financial institutions’ fixed term deposits, but doesn’t require the client to keep money locked in.
Berkshire, together with Berkshire Insurance Services
Limited, are a privately held group of companies, providing a full range of investment and
insurance products and services to the clients of its independent financial advisors.
Since 1986, the Berkshire group of companies has provided its financial advisors with the
tools necessary to assist and guide their clients in the creation, maintenance, protection
and distribution of wealth. With offices in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia,
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Quebec, Berkshire services over 400
financial advisors with assets under administration totalling $4.5 billion. Through
advanced technological support platforms, responsive Advisor Services, strong Operations,
and Management composed of financial advisors, Berkshire provides freedom, opportunity and
reward to its independent financial advisors.
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial
services organization providing a diverse range of wealth accumulation and protection
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Tracing its roots back to
1871, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2001, the Sun Life Financial group of
companies has total assets under management of Cdn$326 billion.
Sun Life Financial Services of Canada Inc. trades on the
Toronto (TSE), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under ticker symbol
“SLC,” and on the London Stock Exchange under ticker symbol “SFC.”
(R) Trademark of Interac Inc., Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. authorized user.
(R) Trademark of Cirrus Inc., Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. authorized user.
For further information:
Media Contacts:
Sun Life Financial: John Vincic, (416) 979-6070;
Francine Cl�roux, (514) 866-2561;
Berkshire: Sarah Tucker, (905) 331-3808;
Berkshire Recruiting Contacts: Geoff Charlton, (905) 331-0600
