As well as access to these products, the service will also give intermediaries analysis, news and market data.
The main focus for the relaunch is research that shows the increased take-up of ETFs across platforms, with iShares reporting a jump in assets held on wrap platforms by over a third in 2011 and by 175% on a cumulative basis since the first quarter of 2010.
Barclays Stockbrokers’ own research showed between April 2009 and April 2012 an increase of 77% in the number of its own clients holding ETFs, with the value of these products nearly trebling.
The 2500 funds from 90 firms will be accessed through Fidelity FundsNetwork with no initial charge, no dealing commissions and no account charges. Intermediaries will be able to invest in UK stocks and shares, investment trusts, ETFs, ETCs, new issues, gilts and sterling bonds.
Will Burge, head of corporate sales at Barclays Stockbrokers, said: “More and more we are hearing about a growing demand from IFAs for access to a broad range of assets, and as we approach the arrival of RDR, we are seeing an increased demand from intermediaries for execution-only services.”
