Products May 27, 2014

PensionsFirst Broadens Focus to Become RiskFirst

May 27, 2014 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Financial technology provider RiskFirst, formerly PensionsFirst, has expanded the focus of its pension risk analytics software for wider application in multi-asset portfolio management and compliance settings.
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The UK-based RiskFirst will continue to offer the PFaroe risk management platform to defined benefit (DB) pension plans, the firm says. Moving forward, the firm will adapt PFaroe to meet demand from other industries for this type of technology, especially insurers and other buy-side risk managers requiring sophisticated analytics to manage complex portfolios and to master regulatory complexity.

PFaroe, which is also offered to U.S.-based DB plans through a partnership with Winklevoss Technologies LLC, provides a cross-balance-sheet view of liabilities, assets and risk. As an online platform, PFaroe provides real-time financial updates and, because it is delivered in modular form, users can license tools according to their needs for day-to-day management or for specific projects. As a result, PFaroe can offer a cost-effective solution to risk managers of all sizes to meet the growing need for sophisticated analytics and reporting, the firm says.

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Timothy Lyons, founder of RiskFirst, says the change of name marks a new focus for the company on providing technology and compliance services more broadly in the market. The firm will target insurers, healthcare providers, corporate defined contribution (DC) plans and wealth managers, among other verticals.

“As with pensions, typically multiple parties manage the assets, liabilities, and risk using disconnected systems and inconsistent analysis,” explains Benjamin Reid, president of RiskFirst. “This can result in inefficient, uneconomic and potentially risky decisions being made without adequate information. Through its web-based delivery, PFaroe uniquely provides all stakeholders with the information needed to make better management decisions.”

Initially launched in the UK, RiskFirst also delivers its technology through partners such as LGIM and Punter Southall. Last year the firm announced a joint venture with PwC to deliver a risk analytics product called Skyval to PwC’s customers in the UK and the U.S.

More information is available at www.riskfirst.com.

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