Information: For immediate release Friday 14 January 2000

EMX POSITIONS IFAs TO TAKE ON THE FINANCIAL 'SUPERMARKETS'

Increasingly IFAs are recognising that they will need to change their current business methods and extend services to clients to be in a position to compete effectively in the future.

Technology is transforming the investment funds industry and offers enormous opportunities for IFAs. In particular, EMX - the new electronic dealing and valuation system for the investment funds industry - will be a major step forward in allowing IFAs to improve their services and compete with the large supermarkets which will be launched.

Alan Ainsworth, Chairman of AUTIF and EMXCo. said:

"So far, attention has focused on the significant cost savings which EMX will deliver to IFAs. But there's another major benefit of the system - the much greater service capability which it will offer to IFAs determined to succeed in tomorrow's market. We are absolutely convinced that EMX will begin to equip the IFA with the tools to compete with even the largest ‘supermarkets’."

Ian Millward of the IFA firm Chase de Vere commented:

"Technology is transforming the world we live in and anyone failing to take that on board will simply get left behind. We are operating in a more and more competitive market place, where traditional IFAs will only survive if they can give real service. That is the IFA’s added value - and it can only be delivered if it can be there for more people, more cheaply and more efficiently."

For further information please contact:

Alan Ainsworth, Chairman AUTIF Tel: +44 (0)207 464 5730
Caroline Lee, Chief Executive EMX Tel: +44 (0)207 831 0898
Ian Millward, Chase de Vere ianmillward@chasedevere.co.uk
Anne McMeehan, Director of Communications AUTIF Tel: +44 (0)207 831 0898