Group history

Today, BT Financial Group incorporates a number of Australia’s leading financial services brands. Each have their own proud history and solid track record, and collectively they underscore BTFG’s strength, depth of experience and extensive knowledge in wealth management. 

The Group History

BT Financial Group (BTFG) is a strong stable of brands that was borne out of the merger between BTFG and the St.George Bank wealth division in late 2008. This saw the brands of BT, BT Investment Management, Magnitude, Westpac Financial Planning, Insurance and Private Bank join forces with Asgard, Securitor, Advance, Licensee Select, Ascalon Capital Partners, St.George Financial Planning (including BankSA Financial Planning) and Private Clients.

The name “BT Financial Group” is derived from the heritage of one of the Group’s businesses – BT Funds Management - which was originally part of Bankers Trust Australia. Bankers Trust Australia opened its doors in 1969 and is considered one of the pioneers of the Australian funds management industry. 

Following the sale of Bankers Trust globally to Deutsche Bank in the late nineties, BT Funds Management Australia was briefly owned by the US-based Principal Financial Group before being purchased in 2002 by the Westpac Banking Corporation. Following this, Westpac combined BT with its previous wealth acquisition - the Rothschild asset management business - and its own Financial Services operations (including the Private Bank, Financial Planning and Insurance), to form an expanded wealth management division of Westpac.

Prior to the merger with BT Financial Group, St.George Bank’s Wealth Management division was made up of eight unique businesses which included Asgard, Securitor, Licensee Select, Advance Asset Management, St.George Financial Planning and St.George Private Clients.

In 1997, St.George acquired Sealcorp Holdings (established in 1985 and renamed Asgard in 2005), the Asgard platform and its dealer group, Securitor (established in 1986). Also in 1997, through the merger with Advance Bank, St.George acquired Advance Asset Management. In the year 2000, Asgard, (which was still known as Sealcorp at the time), launched its dealer-to-dealer business, which in 2008 became known as Licensee Select.   

Asgard, Securitor, Licensee Select and Advance joined the other St.George wealth brands in 2006 to form St.George Wealth Management. 

In 2008, the St.George Wealth Management business merged with BT Financial Group to form one of the largest wealth management businesses in Australia.

BTFG's Brands

Within BTFG are some of Australia’s most recognised and established wealth management brands which have a long track record of delivering Australians innovative financial solutions.

 

Since 1984, Advance has partnered with some of the smartest boutique and specialist fund managers, with the aim to achieve more than what can be achieved by one single manager. As a multi-boutique manager Advance provides a diverse range of dependable investment solutions through strong business relationships and rigorous investment processes.
Learn more about the history of Advance

Ascalon was founded in 2000 to build independent, fast-growing boutique fund managers identified as leaders in the next generation of funds management. Ascalon acquires equity stakes in boutique fund managers with specialist investment expertise, that are seen to have the potential to become significant participants in the Australian funds management industry.
Learn more about the history of Ascalon

Since 1985, Asgard has been working behind the scenes with financial advisers to help our advisors grow their business. Asgard’s products and services have been built by advisors for advisors to enable them to best serve their clients.

Learn more about the history of Asgard

On March 11, 1848, The Savings Bank of South Australia, the forerunner of today's BankSA, began life as a small one-person outfit. That same day, the historic first deposit marked the Savings Bank as the 'peoples' bank' for generations to come.
Learn more about the history of BankSA

In 1969, US based Bankers Trust Company (BTCo) opened its first office in Sydney. Over the years, and following on from its success as one of the leading Funds Management and Investment Banking operations in Australia, BT became a leading household name in financial services.
Learn more about the history of BT

In 2007, BT Investment Management (BTIM), BTFG’s investment management division was listed on the ASX stock exchange. BTIM encompasses three former entities: Westpac Financial Services; Rothschild Australia Asset Management; and BT Funds Management, each of whom began managing, protecting and growing the wealth of Australians in 1969, 1967, 1969 respectively.
Learn more about the history of BTIM

Since 2005, Magnitude has been doing things differently. The outstanding professional skills of Magnitude’s advisors and their access to the latest technical and research bulletins means they are always in touch with the latest investment information.
Learn more about the history of Magnitude

Established in 1986 by advisers, Securitor provides first class services, tools and peer networks to its independently minded financial advisers who are committed to providing quality financial advice. Becoming a member of Securitor gives financial advisors access to an extended community of professionals who are committed to the highest standards, and who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with other advisors within the Securitor network. Learn more about the history of Securitor

Founded in 1937 as a housing based financial institution, St.George built a reputation as Australia's foremost building society, before achieving full banking status in July 1992.
Learn more about the history of St George

With 192 years' experience helping our customers to achieve their financial goals through good times and bad, Westpac is Australia’s first bank.
Learn more about the history of Westpac