National Mutual and State Insurance have officially formed a strategic alliance that will see each offering its clients access to the other's products.
National Mutual has the opportunity to sell its risk and investment products to State's 700,000 clients. In exchange State, which is the country's biggest fire and general insurer, has the opportunity to sell its fire and general insurance to National Mutual's 500,000 clients.
In total 70 selected National Mutual advisers will be involved in the alliance and a dedicated adviser will be allocated to each of State's 70 branches nationwide.
General manager distribution, Mark Wilson, says this alliance is part of National Mutual's strategy to diversify its distribution channels and position itself as a financial services one-stop-shop.
Chief executive Ross McEwan says "major players in our sector are having to make decisions about growing their business, getting more focussed, or getting out."
"Alliances such as this give us the opportunity to increase the range of products we offer our customers and remain focussed on our core business."
Two other recent developments have been the Mortgage Express arrangement with real estate agents Harcourts and the launch last year of the Quantum Financial Services.
"The alliance with State is another competitive move we've made in what is a tough and dynamic environment and we're certain it'll be as successful as others have been," McEwan says.
National Mutual and State Insurance have officially formed a strategic alliance that will see each offering its clients access to the other's products.