News release

Sun Life Asia sets out MRA 2.0 Program to Build the Leading Network of Financial Advisors in Asia

Brighter Academy brings Sun Life’s advisor and leader development to the next level withMillion Dollar Round Table Academy’s expertise and cutting-edge digital tools 

HONG KONG – (October 20, 2021) – The role of insurance advisors is changing in the digital age as Clients increasingly seek answers online and expect advisors to meet them in that moment. To equip advisors succeed in this new environment, Sun Life Asia has reshaped its Most Respected Advisor program by announcing a partnership with Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Academy, enhancing its Brighter Academy recruitment and development program, and launching a suite of new digital tools to support advisors in client engagement.

With its flagship MRA 2.0 program, Sun Life Asia aims to create the Most Respected Advisors in the industry by supporting their learning and development throughout their careers and providing them with the best technology, tools and insights to run their business and connect with clients. 

“Financial security and health have become critical concerns for people of all ages in the pandemic.  On top of this we have a significant protection gap in the region, there is an opportunity for financial advisors to not only build their careers in the insurance industry, but also help others and contribute to society,” said Carene Chia, Sun Life Asia Chief Distribution Officer.

“To achieve this goal, advisors need to equip themselves with knowledge and skills and embrace a journey of continuous learning as our Clients’ needs are constantly changing. At Sun Life we support our advisors on this journey. We’re investing in our Brighter Academy learning programs, building partnerships to support their development, and providing best-in-class technology. With our holistic support, Sun Life advisors will find that they have a great opportunity to build a fulfilling career with a dynamic and fast-growing company,” she said.

Sun life’s Brighter Academy aims to support the development of advisors throughout their careers, from rookie through to leading agency managers. It is comprised of three parts: Brighter Gen, which focuses on the needs of new recruits; Brighter Pro, which supports professional advisors; and Brighter Leaders, which grows agency leaders and helps them build the MDRT culture in agency teams.

Sun Life differentiates the Brighter Academy from other insurance training programs with its focus on the growth of agency leaders. The program aims to develop leaders with good character and well-rounded capabilities so that they can effectively manage teams to deliver results and tackle future challenges.  

Carene Chia said, “Brighter Academy focuses on supporting and empowering our advisors to become Most Respected Advisors. It also strengthens OneSunLife corporate culture, underlining caring, inspiring, winning and professionalism as core values across different markets in Asia.”

The largest partner of MDRT Academy

MDRT is a renowned organization and prestigious destination for life insurance and financial services professionals. Through a new partnership, Sun Life has also become the largest partner of the MDRT Academy with over 600 advisors enrolled in the program.

MDRT Academy provides comprehensive training for Sun Life advisors to enhance their insurance and financial planning knowledge as well as improves sales and consultation skills so that they can build good sales and client service habits.

Embrace digitalization to accelerate growth

Distribution excellence is a core growth strategy for Sun Life in Asia and the agency channel will continue to be the most important driver of growth. Insurtech and digital adoption are critical to enable advisors to adapt to the new digital environment and meet clients’ changing behaviour and expectations. For example, Sun Life provided an e-application tool SunSmart to advisors a few years ago. The tool greatly increases efficiency and client satisfaction. Now, more than half of insurance policy applications are through e-submission. Sun Life’s own research has shown advisors who regularly use social media in their roles have managed better in the pandemic, so social media is now a core training component in the Brighter Academy program.

Carene Chia said, “Our Clients’ needs and expectations have changed and we are committed to growing with our advisors throughout their careers with on-going investments in training and the latest technologies.”

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life 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, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1,304 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. Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars