TORONTO,
July 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Sun Life
Financial announced a partnership with MaRS Discovery District
today focused on collaboration and knowledge sharing with the
start-up community as part of Sun Life's focus on evolving its
business model and client focus. Sun Life will join other corporate
partners to connect with the start-up community as part of the MaRS
fintech and health clusters. MaRS is North America's largest urban innovation
hub.
"At Sun Life, we're proud of our leadership role in helping to
transform our industry through digital and other solutions that
respond to our clients' needs and changing expectations," said
Kevin Dougherty, President, Sun Life
Financial Canada. "Our partnership with MaRS will provide unique
opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with start-ups on
cutting-edge solutions designed to help our clients when it comes
to their finances, health and well-being."
Sun Life plans to leverage connections at MaRS Discovery
District to expand the company's digital innovation agenda, which
has already advanced the following accomplishments:
- First real-time decision management technology in the
insurance industry - Sun Life's Digital Benefits Assistant
leverages big data and advanced analytics to help group plan
members better understand their benefits and pension plans. The
program offers real-time, personalized advice that helps plan
members achieve financial well-being and security.
- MAX my money@work - a digital enrolment tool that
revolutionizes how Canadian plan sponsors handle their fiduciary
responsibilities and regularly engage plan members in their
workplace retirement and savings plan.
- Workplace Mental Health Risk Assessment - a digital
assessment for workplace mental health risks.
- First traditional financial services institution in
Canada to market Facebook Lead
Generation ads (and first globally among investment and
insurance companies).
- First mobile app in Canada to provide integrated, seamless
access to members of both a benefits and retirement savings
plan at work - enabling members for the first time to submit claims
on their mobile device and receive instant processing to receive
payment.
"Health as we know it is radically being redefined, driven by
consumers, technology and the inability of formal health systems to
deliver services that meet the needs and expectations of society.
With this, health plans and insurers are undergoing a major
reconceptualization of their business models and value
propositions. As a Canadian and global leader in health insurance,
we are thrilled to be working with Sun Life to help realize this
new future of health," says Zayna
Khayat, Senior Advisor of Health System Innovation at
MaRS.
"Digital financial solutions are providing consumers with
greater control over how they save for retirement and benefit from
financial services," says Adam
Nanjee, Head of Financial Technology at MaRS. "We are
excited that Sun Life is joining the MaRS partnership group to
collaborate with a growing community of corporate partners,
technology companies and entrepreneurs to further drive financial
innovation."
About MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world's largest urban
innovation hubs. MaRS supports promising young ventures that are
tackling key challenges in the health, cleantech, finance &
commerce, as well as work & learning sectors. In addition to
helping startups launch, grow and scale, the MaRS community is
dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration, commercialization of
discoveries and driving ideas to impact.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun
Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March
31, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had
total assets under management of $861
billion. For more information please visit
www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada