NAVA and IBM join to standardize VA sales

NAVA Inc., the Association for Insured Retirement Solutions, is teaming up with IBM Corp. of Armonk, N.Y. to make the first model available for NAVA’s straight-through-processing-standards initiative for variable annuities. The STP model aims to create an industry standard to streamline the process of selling VA contracts and simplify regulatory compliance. The standards include automated processes to ensure annuity sales suitability, uniform processes for e-signatures, electronic forms, privacy policies and records management. STP-compliant annuity sales processes will give the industry "seamless interoperability" between distributors and insurance carriers, improving "in good order" business, providing customers with greater transparency and improving the overall consumer experience, the Reston, Va.-based insurance industry association said in a statement. Currently, STP implementations are under way at several providers, including Fidelity Investments of Boston, LPL Financial of Boston, Merrill Lynch & Co Inc. and Morgan Stanley, both of New York, National Planning Holdings Inc. of Santa Monica, Calif., Pershing LLC of Jersey City, N.J., Raymond James Financial Inc. of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Wachovia Securities LLC of St. Louis.