I am going to take a holistic view of the costs associated with each expats Investment platform, the range of funds accessible, and technology these will review both advisable and non-advised platforms. To give the retail Investor more of a comprehensive overview in one place. So, you get the benefit of experienced investor opinions to guide your well-informed decisions. Note that these are my own thoughts.
Each review below will go through the pro and cons and get a rating out of 5 stars and comes with useful information on the features and benefits associated with it. If you are an investor using these investment platforms, I recommend you taken advantage of 1 to 1 discovery webinar (sign up on the website) to determine whether you’re beating the benchmark or falling short.
I will aim to uncover whether you’re paying too much in charges, taking on more risk than appropriate and if you could be doing better. It’s not just a second opinion, it’s an expert assessment of your financial health, designed to help you make the most of your wealth.
- Ardan International
- DBS Singapore
- Interactive Brokers
- Internaxx
- Investors Trust
- Platform One
- Novia
- Praemium
Compare international investment platforms
Ardan International Review
Ardan International is an Isle of Man based independent wealth platform. The platform allows for a wide range of investments through a single point of access.
Ardan International claims:
- Control: To provide advisers with greater control in their business.
- Choice: To provide a wide range of fund choices to give advisers the ability to design solutions to meet their client needs and expectations.
- Value: To deliver a competitive pricing structure.
- Tailoring: A bespoke branding service that creates a “personal and enhanced experience” for advisers’ clients.
- Ardan International started life in 2013, when it was named Acordias and backed by venture capital funding.
- It took its name from a UK start-up also named Acordias. In 2014, the business – which was already established by this time on the Isle of Man – was acquired by UK wealth manager and stockbroker Rowan Dartington for an undisclosed amount.
- A few months later, it was rebranded as “Ardan”, which means “platform” in Manx.
- Both Ardan and Rowan Dartington were then bought by St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group.
- In November 2016, it was announced that Ardan International had subsequently been purchased by RL360, a life insurance company in the Isle of Man.
- Ardan International are licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) to arrange deals and provide custody to client assets. Client assets and money are segregated to protect them.
- The Isle of Man is a politically stable, financially strong, independent and well-respected international finance centre, with excellent trade links with the UK, EU and OECD member countries.
- It operates to the highest level of regulatory standards.
- The Isle of Man has an Aa1 rating from Moody’s, and has been recognised by the International Monetary Fund as a well-regulated offshore financial centre of excellence.
- Ardan International has partnered with All Funds Bank to deliver access to a range of funds and other investments, and claim to be able to access over 80,000 funds, ETFs, stocks and bonds from around the world, in addition to structured notes.
- Multi-currency options include USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, SGD, HKD, AUD, AED, CAD, and ZAR.
- Valuations are available online and, as is the benchmark for investment platforms of its type, so is a consolidated view of all investment wrappers.
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- Full charges are not published on Ardan’s website, although custody is 0.4% pa.
Protection of Ardan
Arden is pretty stable as using various banks. Clients money are held initially separate from Ardan International. In the event of a default by Ardan International, the client’s wealth be returned to the client rather than being recoverable. The money is ring-fenced in trusts with the clients as beneficiaries. Arden International as a global custodian takes legal responsibilities of safeguarding investors money.
The Pros of Ardan
- A wide currency option (as seen above)
- Online trading and access technology for easy online use
- A wide fund range of 80,000 funds
- Strong location base in the Isle of Man
- Lack of default risk
- Capital protection of Investors money
Cons of Ardan
- Full charges not made clear on their website
- Online system not as swift as some of the newer platforms
Final Thoughts on Ardan
All in all despite Ardans lack of transparency for fees. I believe that it has stability and functionality for an offshore investor. The assistance of a competent transparent advisor is suitable for those that find Investing complex or those who want advice.
Ardan Rating
3.2 Stars
DBS Singapore Review
DBS Singapore Online provides customers with a broad range of global investment services through multiple channels, including the Internet, Investment services center and customer centers.
Through them, you can invest in stock markets in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia and Japan. In addition to equities, they offer opportunities to participate in IPOs and private placements.
DBS doesn’t levy fees to open a trading account, nor is there an annual account charge. However, there is a percentage charge on each trade, subject to a minimum commission.
DBS Singapore fees are low around 0.25-0.4% per trade here is an outline to a full list of their fees
Pros of DBS
- DIY Platform
- Wide Investment on world exchanges
- Low cost
Cons of DBS
- Hard to navigate
- No advisory services
- Complex Investment options
Final Thoughts of DBS
For the DIY Investor that wants to have a go at online trading with a wide range of products and exchanges, this is a feasible option. But with the highly complex funds and online system, it is hard to navigate and would only advise those doing so that are competent without an advisor or with a proportion of their wealth that is outside their pension and investment portfolio as a whole.
Statistically, those with no experience fail to beat the S and P 500 (average return 8.64% a year), fail to do so over a 30 year investment time frame bases on an over biased and overconfidence in a number of studies reasoning why.
So, would not be to attracted to the wide range of IPOs and exchanges that it has access to without extreme care. But, if looking for a DIY Investment platform for a proportion of your wealth this would be recommended more so for those in the Asia region.
DBS Rating
3.5 Stars
Interactive Brokers Review
Staying with the theme of DIY investing, one of the worlds top DIY platforms is Interactive brokers.
The service is comprehensive, dealing with direct market access to stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, ETFs and CFDs from a single IB Universal Account. It covers 100 markets, 24 countries and 22 currencies.
Interactive Brokers Group and LLC are rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s (BBB+).
However, the service is more geared towards professional traders, investors, advisers and fund managers rather than retail clients.
Not all of these instruments may be legally available, however, due to foreign fund marketing rules and local licensing requirements to residents in certain countries. Professional advice should be sought if you are unsure regarding local compliance rules.
Charges a complex commissions structure, dependent on your country of residence. Broadly, ETFs and stocks can be traded at a minimum of $4-$8.
Pros of Interactive Brokers
- Low Cost
- Widely used
Cons of Interactive Brokers
- No Advice
- Complex Investments
- More for professionals that trade regularly
Thoughts on Interactive Brokers
A more widely used DBS version, again personally a big fan of those that use it.
For a non-adviser and have the competence or for a proportion of your portfolio. I believe this is an excellent platform for the DIY investor or those with a small amount of wealth relative to their overall portfolio.
Interactive Brokers Rating
4 Stars
Internaxx
Internaxx offers an expat platform based in Luxembourg, an ‘AAA’ rated financial centre renowned for investor protection.
Internaxx has full bank status and is regulated by the CSSF under the oversight of the European Central Bank.
The platform provides access to 900 funds and thousands of ETFs. Exchange rates on cash are fairly competitive, and there is a low minimum.
The initial charge, many contain high total expense ratios, which can eat into your returns. Useful tools such as the ‘Portfolio X-Ray tool’ and Morningstar equity research are included in the platform.
Internaxx can take up to 55% of annual fund management fees in retrocessions, which has been criticised for lack of transparency. Costs of stocks and ETF trades are between €14.95 to €50 and up to 0.09% commission. Trading over the phone costs an extra €20.
The most significant cost to expat users seeking a long-term investment platform is the flat fee (replacing the 0.2% pa custody charge). This is €45 if you don’t trade during the quarter, but free if you trade regularly.
Pros of Internaxx
- Wide range of Indexes, stocks
- Low cost
- Platform easy to work
- Made for expats
- Wide currency options at one time
Cons of Internaxx
- No advise
- Can be high TERs
- Unregulated products in some exchanges
- Complex for the starting Investor
- Hard to pick one platform for a starting Investor
Final Thoughts on Internaxx
This has a range of platforms from its mobile, derivatives, web most comes with Morningstar research tools. With live streaming and a range of services, for both advance and derivative traders.
This is for those looking for a secure location with an advanced trading option.
Internaxx Rating
4
Investors Trust
Investors Trust Assurance SPC is an insurance company that specializes in investment-linked insurance products, rather than a focused investment platform company or trust company.
Clients are encouraged to manage their investments within their insurance products through Investors Trust’s online platform. Some of their products have a limited range of 300 funds, however, they do include 27 ETFs which no other insurance provider does. The access portfolio now has a 2000 fund range. The charges are clearly stated on the website and can see the basic fund range. Although no dealing fees it does have hidden fees absorbed in the costs of the setup.
The advantage is that the platform comes in a range of different languages. For Japanese, Chinese, Spanish speaking.
The online system is well-rated with its claiming to have a 24/7 support center
It has a range of products for saving S&P plan being a high cost to the low cost fixed Interest at just $7 a month.
The access portfolio for over $75,000 is a 1% fee and when asked said it can be dropped to 0.7% this is more expensive than others but with the range of funds such as Morgan Stanley and Isahres is a cheaper alternative than directly with 5% Initial and 1.64% ongoing.
Pros of Investors Trust
- Good Technology and support center
- A range of products
- A cheaper active fund range than many other platforms or direct
- Security with the SPC
Cons of Investors Trust
- Commissions built into fees
- Some products charge 1% plus a year
- Lock-in periods
- Lack of currency options
Thoughts on Investors Trust
ITA is different from a lot of the offshore platforms as has a more robust online and digital service and is pathing the way for a new era of Investment from the old school bond platforms. This is not the best DIY option or for someone looking at actively trading but for a passive investor it has its advantages in the access portfolio and fixed income products. The fees for some of the products are higher than DIY accounts but lower than direct investment though most active direct funds and with free trading, you will have to decide if this is feasible for you.
Investors Trust Rating
3.8
Platform One
Platform One is a UK and international investment platform service.
It has been designed to deliver a secure, high-quality investment platform for the UK and international marketplace.
There is no initial fund fee, and 100% of any fund annual management charge rebates made by the fund manager are credited to the underlying client’s cash account.
The global service is also offshore to the UK, and offers a “traditional” (read “expensively damaging”) commission service, with no explicit adviser charges.
Platform One has recently launched the International Plus Offshore Service operating out of the Isle of Man, for financial advisers and clients from around the world who need to access an open architecture multi-currency platform that offers different types of global assets at a fixed dealing cost.
Platform One is regulated by the FCA. Besides, this is has a wide range of funds with over 5000 different funds.
Pros of Platform One
- Know in the U.K
- RDR compliant options
- Wide fund range
- Advisor option
Cons of Platform One
- Not as slick online
- High commission fees
- Not suitable for the DIY investor
Thoughts on Platform One
Although I do see it feasible for personal looking at the advisor options based in the U.K for expats, that is RDR compliant, it still is a higher fee option.
Platform One Rating
2.5
Novia Global
Novia Global is a relatively new platform in the expat market. It is regulated in the UK, under the Financial Conduct Authority, and is also widely sold in Dubai and Hong Kong and various EU countries.
- Multiple currency accounts
- Structured products
- ETFs
- Various other investments
- Novia Global provides access to two types of product, a Global Investment Account (GIA) and a Global Retirement Account (GRA). Noth have a multi-currency facility. The underlying assets include investment funds, exchange traded funds, shares and structured products.
- BNP Paribas Securities Services provide their custodian and banking services. BNP Paribas are a European leader in this field and cover more than 100 markets worldwide.
- The platform also allows advisers and their clients access to a number of discretionary fund managers (DFMs), including Bordier & Cie, Brooks Macdonald, LGT Vestra, Marlborough, MitonOptimal and Smith & Williamson.
Pros of Novia Global
- Good Technology
- Wide funds
Cons of Novia Global
- High commission fees
- No advice
Novia Global Final Thoughts
Novia isn’t a bad platform in the expat market. However, their fee structure can still be high, and your “mileage will vary”.
Novia Global Rating
2.3
Praemium
Praemium provides investment platforms, portfolio administration and CRM solutions. The company has offices in Australia, the UK, Jersey, Armenia and Hong Kong.
Praemium launched its services into the UK market in 2008, where it is now one of the fastest-growing discretionary platforms available. In the UK the Praemium group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The firm’s proprietary technology makes it simple for advisers/model managers to make bulk trades and scale their business operations, freeing up more time to engage with the end investor.
Investors have 24/7 access to their holdings at all times via the market-leading “Investor Portal” and can communicate/share documents with their adviser securely through the system.
Platform costs start at 0.35% and tier down for larger amounts, offering exceptional value for money for the end client.
The platform can be used well, but all too often many complicated and expensive products are chosen. That increases costs and lowers returns.
Moreover, the Smart funds do come with numerous risks, including counterparts dangers, like most structured products.
Pros of Praemium
- Good online technology
- Low cost
Cons of Praemium
- Lack of Funds
- Expensive funds within
- Smart funds that it offers are risky
Thoughts on Praemium
The Australia based company is one of the slickest online traders in the market for the DIY investor is a low fee advisor options, that see as underused and rival to many older companies in the offshore market.
Praemium Rating
3.4
