Schroders in Singapore has launched an online chatbot operating through Facebook Messenger to answer client queries and fetch and display requested fund management data.
Built in partnership with local startup pand.ai, the beta release of Schroders GO is able to self-learn and answer three-dimensional questions, such as 'Show me USD funds in Asia Pacific managed by Robin Parbrook' which, according to Schroders offers, an improvement over fund lists commonly provided on websites.
Available in English, but able to understand Singlish, the bot also allows users to track and get the latest information on their preferred funds with a ‘Watchlist’ function. Incentivised quizzes to help users deepen their understanding of investing are also part of the package as well as live market commentaries from the Schroders team.
Lieven Debruyne, CEO Asia Pacific, Schroders, says: “We wanted to develop a localised instant platform that investors, today in Singapore and soon regionally, are able to get answers and resources as and when they need them. This was why we invested in developing a tool that is always-on, allows social sharing and speaks our clients’ language.”
Launched in collaboration with distribution partners Citi, Income, UOB and Synergy Financial Advisers, the full version of Schroders GO is expected to be launched in early 2018.