Adviser platform Transact has reported record net inflows of £1.29bn for the first quarter of its financial year.

The quarter ended on 31 December.

It is a 54% increase on the first quarter of the previous financial year and a 22% increase on the platform’s previous best first quarter (2018: £1.06bn).

Gross inflows were £1.98bn.

At the end of the quarter funds under direction for the platform totalled £54.54bn, an increase of 4.7% over the quarter.

Over the same period the FTSE All Share Index rose by 3.7% and the MSCI World Index (Large & Mid Cap) rose by 8.1%.

Alex Scott, CEO of the platform’s parent company Integrafin, said: “The rate of growth of net inflows in the quarter has been pleasing.

“However, the prior year quarter was a soft comparator and reflected the continued impact of pandemic response restrictions therefore our expectation is that net inflow growth will now be at normalised levels.  Our total funds under direction now stand at £54.54bn.

“These results highlight the resilience and strength of our business model, and the growth opportunities for our platform and the addressable adviser market. As I explained at the financial year end, we continue to invest in our people and the continued development of our market leading proprietary software, whilst being mindful of the challenging economic outlook.”

The last financial year was a strong one for Transact, with the platform reporting a record £7.7bn of gross inflows for the year ending 30 September. Annual net inflows were £4.95bn - a rise of 38% year on year. 

The platform, popular with Financial Planners, in September said growth has been held back recently by a struggle to increase staff as quickly as planned due to recruitment issues.

The platform has been recruiting throughout the year, and continues to do so, but says growth in staff numbers has been a challenge.

Transact recently stepped up its efforts to act as an introducer for advice firm acquisitions.

The platform has launched a series of virtual workshops for buyers of advice firms. 

The platform is also looking to create a “shop window” for buyers to anonymously confirm their interest in sellers.

In its recent succession planning update, the platform also said that it has seen a trend towards advice firms looking at preserving their legacy through management buy-outs and Employee Ownership Trusts.