Business

Jackson Financial Secretly Talks with Gefen International

Published

3 years ago

February 24, 2022

According to industry sources familiar with the matter, Jackson Financial Inc., a publicly traded (NYSE: JXN) Life Insurance Company based in the US, is secretly involved in high level discussions with Australia’s Insurtech company, Gefen International A.I. (ASX:GFN), an Australian publicly traded insurance tech corporation.

Although details of the talks have not been disclosed, sources close to the matter reveal that Jackson has been looking over the past year to adopting advanced insurance technology aka ‘insurtech’ as a crucial component of their long term growth strategy.

What Does Gefen’s Technology Offer Jackson?

Gefen’s online platform ‘Moments’, was designed to disrupt this traditional financial and insurance ecosystem. This includes improving customers, the agents/advisors, and the carriers (such as Jackson Financial) access to critical data. The platform does not aim to replace agents in the sales process, as it sees them as being essential component to improve the service process.

Gefen Technologies ‘Moments’ is a highly compliant platform that can be leveraged by Jackson’s agents and advisors, and includes tools like sales and marketing, and messaging that would otherwise not been available to them via traditional means.

The Moments platform basically connects consumers, carriers, and advisors within a network, and automates their interaction. The technology analyses customers’ digital journey as well as their data, and provides automated insights, based on previous purchases which are converted into potential buying preferences.

The technology analyses data such as how much time customers spend on specific website pages, and how they have reacted to various offers that have been made to them in the past. This data is invaluable and provides advisors with a lot of information about customers prior to seeing them in person.

As a result, should a deal be signed, industry insiders concur the platforms ability to allow Jackson’s advisors the option to offer more relevant products to their customer database and increase revenue while reducing overall operating costs.

Jackson Financial Business – $362 Billion in Assets

As of December 31, 2020, Jackson Financial reported $362 billion in assets under management and was managing more than three million policies. Jackson has headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, with additional regional offices in both Chicago, Illinois and Franklin, Tennessee. The subsidiaries of the insurance company are licensed to distribute insurance products in the District of Columbia and all 50 U.S. states.

Jackson Financial Inc. demerged from Prudential plc in 2021 to form two separately-listed companies. Since the demerger from Prudential, Jackson’s growth has been stymied and this is reflected in their stock price dropping steadily.

In Mar 2021, Fitch Ratings affirmed Jackson Life Insurance’s Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Ratings at ‘A’. Fitch however also affirmed a ‘BBB+’ Issuer Default Rating (IDR) assigned to Jackson Financial, Inc. The Outlook was revised from Negative to Stable for all ratings.

The revised Outlook from Negative to Stable mirrors Fitch’s stance that the pandemic’s economic impact on Jackson would be limited, especially as equity markets seem to have returned to normalized volatility. Although there is still the potential for modest credit impairments, Fitch forecasts that both capital and earnings will exceed, or stay in line with rating expectations. Longer-term worries still include the possibility for historically low interest rates that have persisted for several years.

Jackson’s financial performance, measured on both a statutory and GAAP accounting basis, is still strong although the earnings profile of the company is susceptible to pressures associated with a continued low interest rate environment and equity market performance.

According to various industry insiders and financial analysts, a potential Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN) and Gefen International (ASX:GFN) collaboration is expected to be announced during Jackson’s fourth quarter results webcast conference scheduled on March 3, 2022.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.