Nationwide provides vital services “on the go”

Nationwide Building Society announces it has launched a brand new ‘on the go’ video service, available via personal and handheld devices, for all members to have even easier and more convenient access to protection and investment advice, as well as more specific financial advice for the over 55s from their own home.

At a time where a trip to the branch to get vital financial advice is not always possible, Nationwide has accelerated the roll out of a new service which allows all its members and customers to get protection and investment advice, in addition to financial advice specifically for the over 55s, via high quality video conference straight to their laptop, PC or tablet at home. Every element of a normal branch based appointment is available on the video call from advice to signing, and all documents are shared on screen and sent in the post following the meeting.

Members are able to use the service to discuss life and critical illness cover for their families. They will also be able to look at their investments such as unit trusts, stocks and shares ISAs, alongside any other savings portfolio they have with the Society.

Over 55s, will also be able to use the service for later life planning such as mortgages and financial advice.

Jeff Watson, who leads Nationwide’s current video operation, Nationwide NOW, said: “This is a really challenging time for many and seeking advice or getting out to do important transactions is not easy with social distancing rules. Yet the reality is that finances have never been more important. That is why we are really pleased to have been able to bring forward the roll out of this service, to be able to give members another way to get help and support from us. Our new ‘on the go’ remote financial service allows people to get essential financial advice from the comfort of their own home on their PC, laptop or tablet. It is the same great personal service they would get in branch delivered by a Nationwide consultant face to face.

“This service isn’t just about us reacting to social distancing and Covid it’s about giving members choice. For example; the other day one of our consultants helped a farmer in Devon who had been up and out in the fields at 4am, he came back in an did an appointment with us from his home on his break. He told us that without this service he wouldn’t have been able to make the appointment as he was stuck for time and needed to be on the farm. There are lots of people who will have been neglecting their finances for the same reason, lack of convenience or the need for more flexibility, and this will now mean those people who would have put off important appointments can fit it in amongst daily life.”

The service is initially being made available for Investment and Protection advice and separately over 55’s later life planning such as mortgages and financial planning.