http://www.fundaction.com/RSS.aspx?FeedID=78©2010 Compliance Reporter60Top NewsThe days of mutual funds touting past performance in advertisements may be numbered. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2642129/Performance-Ads-Could-Get-Chopped.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTMorgan Stanley Investment Advisors and Van Kampen Asset Management are the latest recipients of lawsuits from angry common stockholders who claim auction-rate preferred shareholders received preferential treatment by having their shares redeemed at par during the market meltdown last year, according to FA's sister publication, Fund Directions. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2642130/ARPS-Suits-Just-Keep-Coming.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTReligare Global Asset Management, the money management arm of Indian financial services conglomerate Religare Enterprises, has set its sights on the U.S. retail mutual fund and defined contribution markets with plans to set up a multi-boutique holding company modeled after the likes of Affiliated Managers Group. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2642131/Indian-Big-Sets-Sights-On-US-Mutual-Fund-Biz.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTNew York Life Retirement Plan Services plans to unveil a new marketing approach in September and has hired Joseph Stabnick as director of marketing. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2642132/New-York-Life-To-Overhaul-Marketing.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTWhich section of the financial reform bill will have the most wide-ranging impact on the retirement industry? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2642134/INDUSTRY-FORUM.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission’s plans to revamp fund distribution fees are likely to create headaches on several fronts for compliance officers at mutual fund firms. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2641710/Compliance-Depts-Sweat-Over-12b-1.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTPrincipal Funds is promoting investments in certain preferred securities as a way to achieve good yield at low risk. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2641709/Principal-Touts-Preferred-Securities.aspxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTALPS Advisors is planning its first actively managed global fixed-income exchange-traded fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2641363/ALPS-Preps-Active-Global-Bond-ETF.aspxThu, 29 Jul 2010 22:56:15 GMTNuveen Investments’ acquisition of FAF Advisors will position subsidiary Nuveen Asset Management to grow into a “mega-boutique” with a diverse lineup of funds in a variety of asset classes, Bill Huffman, chief operating officer and co-head of Nuveen Asset Management, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2641109/Nuveen-COO-FAF-Deal-Will-Make-Us-Mega-Boutique.aspxThu, 29 Jul 2010 17:56:42 GMTDreyfus plans to merge two of its mid-cap funds, stating in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the move will result in a larger pool of assets with similar investment goals and lower expenses. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640300/Dreyfus-Plots-Mid-Cap-Fund-Combo.aspxThu, 29 Jul 2010 00:14:36 GMTOne third of advisors upped their cash allocations in the first half of 2010 instead of putting money to work in the stock or bond markets, according to Rydex/SGI. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640299/RydexSGI-Advisors-Up-Cash-Allocations.aspxThu, 29 Jul 2010 00:11:56 GMTVanguard Group has expanded its online offerings with a new Twitter account and upgrades to the firm’s mobile services. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640268/Vanguard-Adds-Tweets-To-Online-Presence.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 23:34:01 GMTNew York Life Retirement Plan Services has hired Joseph Stabnick as director of marketing, effective immediately. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640267/New-York-Life-Taps-Marketing-Exec.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 23:28:54 GMTThe staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has agreed to let an internally-managed closed-end fund set up its own advisor subsidiary to provide advisory services to other mutual fund and non-fund clients. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640266/SEC-Staff-OKs-Closed-End-Advisor-Acquisition.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 23:24:47 GMTIndexIQ is planning on adding five single-country small-cap exchange-traded funds and a global agribusiness small-cap ETF this fall, Adam Patti, ceo, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640169/IndexIQ-To-More-Than-Double-Small-Cap-Lineup.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 20:50:20 GMTWilshire Associates has hired Jamie Ohl as chief operating officer of Wilshire Funds Management. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640055/Wilshire-Associates-Taps-Hartford-Exec.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTPutnam Investments has named W. Van Harlow its director of investment retirement solutions, responsible for product and service development. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2640054/Putnam-Names-Fido-Vet-To-Top-Retirement-Investment-Post.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTMembers of the retirement industry sound off on what aspect of the financial reform bill will have the biggest impact. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2638971/Financial-Reform-Impact.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTA newly created database of 10 million IRA accounts showed that investors are doing little to save money for retirement through the IRA tax structure. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2639362/New-IRA-Database-Shows-Contributions-Are-Very-Low.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTSen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced on July 14 legislation calling for the creation of “lifetime savings accounts”—a year after the senator put out a press release “unveiling” the proposal.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2639364/Schumer-Catches-Up-On-Savings-Bill.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission last week started off at a gallop to collect public input on 31 studies on issues mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2639363/SEC-Rushes-To-Meet-Dodd-Frank-Deadlines.aspxWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe SPARK Institute has released a preliminary draft of a set of recommendations for data standards for retirement income product providers and recordkeepers who offer the products within retirement plans.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2639249/SPARK-Unveils-First-Annuity-Standards.aspxTue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTVan Eck Global launched the industry’s first local currency emerging market bond exchange-traded fund last week. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2638123/Van-Eck-Launches-Local-Currency-Emerging-Market-Bond-ETF.aspxMon, 26 Jul 2010 20:29:30 GMTThe just-signed Dodd-Frank law has turned out to have a little-noticed provision that sets up mutual fund whistleblowers for a payday. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637065/Fund-Snitches-To-Be-Paid-By-SEC.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Office of Thrift Supervision is seeking an investment consultant for its $200 million, 1,000-life 401(k) plan even though it has been legislated out of existence by the financial reform bill. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637068/Soon-To-Be-Defunct-Regulator-Seeks-Out-401k-Consultant.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTNeuberger Berman President and Chief Investment Officer Joseph Amato is focused on adding funds where there are opportunities, broadening the distribution of the existing funds line, expanding the wholesale team and adding load shares to Neuberger's funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637076/Amato-Eyes-Distribution-Wholesaler-Growth.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTFund firms are stepping up to fill the needs of yield-starved investors by offering access to master limited partnerships across a variety of investment vehicles, including exchange-traded funds, exchange-traded notes, closed-end funds and open-end funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637081/MLP-Funds-Flood-Market.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTRydex/SGI is currently in talks with several target-date fund providers regarding adding Rydex/SGI alternatives funds as an underlying investment inside target-date funds, Richard Goldman, ceo, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637082/Rydex-Eyes-Target-Date-Fund-Market.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTJohn Hancock Funds is planning a closed-end fund offering, the Boston manager's first IPO in three years. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637083/Hancock-Plans-Closed-End-Offering.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTDirexionFunds has filed for 11 new exchange-traded funds focusing on commodities, currencies and volatility, Andy O'Rourke, managing director, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637086/Direxion-Plans-Commodity-Currency-ETFs.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTImminent fee disclosure rules have incited plan sponsors to take precautionary measures with fee transparency, according to an ongoing Mercer "Quick Study" series that tracks plan sponsors' reactions to industry conditions. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637098/Mercer-Plan-Sponsors-Taking-Action-With-Fees.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTManaged Portfolio Advisors is targeting registered investment advisors with a new suite of five managed exchange-traded funds portfolios subadvised by Litman/Gregory Asset Management. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2637100/MPA-Introduces-Managed-ETF-Portfolios.aspxFri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe average target-date fund posted its first negative return in five quarters due to heavy hits in the equity markets, according to Ibbotson Associates’ Target Maturity Report. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2636393/Ibbotson-Target-Date-Funds-In-The-Red.aspxThu, 22 Jul 2010 23:40:37 GMTAviva Investors North America will launch its first U.S. mutual fund at the end of next month, aiming to appeal to registered investment advisors seeking market participation, capital preservation and daily liquidity for clients interested in moving money out of cash, Mark Cernicky, product development manager, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2636289/Aviva-Readies-First-US-Mutual-Fund.aspxThu, 22 Jul 2010 20:37:41 GMTRep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to “make clear investment companies can’t be sued” whatever decision they make about divesting shares of companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2635469/Shield-On-Iran-Law-Sought-For-Funds.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 23:31:56 GMTFirst Trust Advisors is the latest firm to re-enter the closed-end fund market, registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch the First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2635468/First-Trust-Plots-Closed-End-Fund-IPO.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 23:29:34 GMTAllianceBernstein is the latest firm to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer actively managed exchange-traded funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2635467/AllianceBernstein-Joins-Active-ETF-Bandwagon.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 23:25:33 GMTLegg Mason has beefed up its retirement expertise with the addition of two senior-level sales executives, part of the Baltimore firm’s ongoing efforts to increase its profile in the defined contribution plan market. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2635463/Legg-Mason-Boosts-Retirement-Sales-Effort.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 23:22:52 GMTRegistered investment advisors are planning to increase the alternatives allocation in clients’ portfolios this year, according to the annual AdvisorBenchmarking Survey released by Rydex/SGI this week. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2635293/RydexSGI-RIAs-Plan-To-Increase-Alternatives-Use.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 18:24:43 GMTA veteran industry lawyer said the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed advertising rule would make target-date ads “cluttered.”http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2634575/Lawyer-Gives-Target-Date-Rule-Proposal-A-Mixed-Review.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Plainfield (N.J.) Area Regional Sewerage Authority has tapped Nationwide Retirement Solutions as the provider for its deferred compensation plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2634574/NJ-Municipal-Authority-Taps-Provider.aspxWed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTAutosports Advisors has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch the industry’s first mutual fund dedicated to investing in equities and debt of companies that sponsor or generate revenue from Formula 1 auto racing. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2634156/Grand-Prix-Fund-To-Launch.aspxTue, 20 Jul 2010 15:27:35 GMTSecurities and Exchange Commission staff only July 16 gave the green light to mutual funds to use the clearinghouse of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to perform credit default swap transactions.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2633828/SEC-OKs-Clearing-Swaps-Thru-CME.aspxTue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTBlackRock’s iShares has launched the industry’s first international sector exchange-traded funds that include exposure to both developed and emerging markets. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2633493/iShares-Expands-Sector-ETFs-Abroad.aspxMon, 19 Jul 2010 21:39:14 GMTA federal district court last week held that Edison International's $3 billion 401(k) plan is liable for "substantial" damages because it failed to consider low-cost investment options for the plan, a precedent-setting decision lawyers thought might ultimately get the issue of sponsor fiduciary duty before the Supreme Court. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2632472/Court-Raises-Sponsors-Fiduciary-Stake.aspxFri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTAdvisorShares Investments will launch the first-ever all-short equity exchange-traded fund, attempting to appeal to investors frustrated with the complexity of inverse and leveraged index ETFs, CEO Noah Hamman told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2632473/AdvisorShares-Plots-First-Ever-All-Short-ETF.aspxFri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTAsset managers are changing their target-date fund strategies to include commodities-linked offerings and other alternatives to hedge against eventual inflation. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2632475/Target-Date-Funds-Brace-For-Inflation.aspxFri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTCombating volatility is the top priority for financial advisors this year, but few agree on the best way to fight it. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2632478/Advisors-Seek-Ways-To-Dampen-Volatility-Impact.aspxFri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTBlackRock's iShares cut expenses last week for its gold sector exchange-traded fund in an attempt to gain market share. Do you consider pricing to be the most important factor in your decision to select an ETF? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2632484/ADVISOR-FORUM.aspxFri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Hartford is reducing the fees on 36 of its mutual funds in an effort to make the funds more attractive to financial advisors and retirement plan sponsors, as the firm looks to expand its presence in defined benefit and defined contribution plans, Joseph Eck, v.p. of investment-only business, told FA.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2631718/Hartford-Reduces-Fees-On-36-Funds-Update.aspxThu, 15 Jul 2010 22:06:29 GMTRidgeWorth Investments launched a new marketing campaign around its Seix High Income Bond Fund as the firm looks to push bank notes as a hedge against rising interest rates, David Craig, director of marketing, told FA.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2631672/RidgeWorth-Campaigns-For-Bank-Notes.aspxThu, 15 Jul 2010 21:14:29 GMTLord Abbett published the first in a series of articles outlining fiduciary duty issues to plan sponsors on its Web site this week. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2631653/Lord-Abbett-Publishes-Fiduciary-Series.aspxThu, 15 Jul 2010 20:56:11 GMTThe Hartford is cutting fees on 36 of its mutual funds in a move designed to make its offerings more competitive among consultants and financial advisors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2630828/The-Hartford-Cuts-Fees-On-36-Funds.aspxWed, 14 Jul 2010 21:32:57 GMTCerulli Associates reports that firm budgets for product development are growing, but managers should refrain from creating a product similar to competitors’ unless they can prove substantive competitive advantages. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2630269/Cerulli-To-Managers-Avoid-The-Me-Too-Approach.aspxWed, 14 Jul 2010 10:42:50 GMTDirexionFunds today launched two double-leveraged exchange-traded funds focused on the retail and natural gas sectors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2630270/Direxion-Launches-Retail-Natural-Gas-ETF.aspxWed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTDirexionFunds increased its sales staff over the past several months and plans to add more wholesalers as it attempts to gain penetration for its alternative strategy mutual funds in the wirehouse channel. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2629835/Direxion-Bolsters-Sales-Team.aspxTue, 13 Jul 2010 21:16:05 GMTBlackRock launched its first gold-related equity mutual fund in the U.S. thanks to increasing demand from customers for such a product. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2629834/BlackRock-Gets-Gold-Fever.aspxTue, 13 Jul 2010 21:05:46 GMTAdelante Capital Management has hired Eric Thaller, former managing director and portfolio manger at Charles Schwab, as director of risk management to work with the firm’s global property strategy and manage risk. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2629830/Adelante-Adds-Director-From-Schwab.aspxTue, 13 Jul 2010 21:00:35 GMTWisdomTree is planning to launch its ninth currency-related exchange-traded fund this September, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2628896/WisdomTree-Expands-Currency-Fund-Lineup.aspxMon, 12 Jul 2010 20:52:03 GMTSecurity Global Investors has bolstered its marketing team, hiring two alternative investments professionals to oversee efforts in the broker-dealer, institutional and registered investment advisor channels. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2628880/SGI-Adds-Two-To-Alts-Marketing-Team.aspxMon, 12 Jul 2010 20:07:08 GMTEnvestnet/PMC has added Singer Partners to the subadvisory rosters of its two mutual funds and launched a new dynamic asset-allocation strategy from the hedge fund firm for separately managed account clients. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2628879/Hedge-Fund-Joins-Subadvisors-At-Envestnet.aspxMon, 12 Jul 2010 20:03:36 GMTOppenheimerFunds launched two mutual funds that use strategies already implemented in its $12 billion International Bond Fund and has converted its Senior Floating Rate Fund to an open-end fund, Michael Keogh, v.p. product management, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2628814/Oppenheimer-Launches-Bond-Funds.aspxMon, 12 Jul 2010 18:17:13 GMTAdvisorShares Investments plans to launch the first all-short equity exchange-traded fund, giving investors the ability to hedge long positions in their portfolios, CEO Noah Hamman told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2628471/AdvisorShares-To-Launch-First-Ever-All-Short-ETF.aspxMon, 12 Jul 2010 10:52:25 GMTBNY Mellon, TIAA-CREF and Galliard Capital are expected to grab more business in the 401(k) plan marketplace in the next 12 months, according to a recent Cogent Research survey. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627963/Survey-Tips-BNY-Mellon-TIAA-CREF-Galliard-For-Business-Boost.aspxFri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission will be required to conduct 18 separate studies, at least half of which will impact mutual funds, once the financial reform bill passed by Congress becomes law. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627964/SEC-Study-Explosion-Zeroes-In-On-Fund-Issues.aspxFri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTMutual funds that use exotic, riskier derivatives would have to set aside more assets to counterbalance their trades than users of plain vanilla derivatives under a newly floated proposal, according to sister publication Derivatives Week. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627965/Funds-Using-Exotic-Derivatives-Face-Stiffer-Regime.aspxFri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTOrange County (Calif.) has issued a request for proposals for one provider for its five defined contribution plans with $764 million in combined plan assets. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627966/Providers-Face-Off-In-Orange-Co-Search.aspxFri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTCertain mutual funds could lose their exclusion from having to register as commodity pool operators if the National Futures Association has its way. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627968/NFA-Looks-To-Tighten-Fund-Noose.aspxFri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTHow are clients reacting to the recent market slowdown compared to the crash of 2008? Are you advising them differently? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627969/ADVISOR-FORUM.aspxFri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTBlackRock’s executives in charge of iShares believe exchange-traded funds are best suited for small retirement plans with about $50 million or less in assets. Small plans are most impacted by cost savings and increased selection provided by using ETFs, Christine Hudacko, spokeswoman, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2627165/BlackRock-ETFs-Best-Suited-For-Small-Plans.aspxThu, 08 Jul 2010 23:33:50 GMTThe $133 million Appleseed Fund is sending a message to banks: if you’re too big, you won’t make it into the portfolio. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626971/SRI-Fund-Says-No-To-Too-Big-To-Fail-Banks.aspxThu, 08 Jul 2010 20:16:16 GMTJim Ross, managing director of State Street Global Advisors, told FA the firm has no plans to reduce the expense ratio of its $50 billion SPDR Gold Shares exchange-traded fund following BlackRock’s footsteps. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626791/SSgA-Stands-Defiant-On-GLD.aspxThu, 08 Jul 2010 16:26:59 GMTReFlow Management has developed an index and “barometer” tool to help managers understand asset flow volatility and its impact on performance. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626726/ReFlow-Launches-Volatility-Tools.aspxThu, 08 Jul 2010 15:54:33 GMTEGShares is preparing to launch an India infrastructure exchange-traded fund after debuting its India Small Cap ETF this week—the first to focus exclusively on small-cap companies in the South Asian nation. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626166/EGShares-Plots-Second-India-ETF.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 23:57:18 GMTRydex/SGI plans to launch a Web-based marketing campaign focused on alternatives in the fall. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626163/Rydex-Preps-Alts-Marketing-Campaign.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 23:48:35 GMTT. Rowe Price instituted changes to its Retirement Funds target-date series and Retirement Income Fund, as well as an underlying income fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626162/T-Rowe-Tweaks-Target-Date-Income-Funds.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 23:48:34 GMTFund firms will no longer have to turn to outside money managers to run their own 401(k) plans when a rule proposal the Department of Labor made final last week takes effect.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626159/Funds-Cleared-To-Manage-Own-401ks.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 23:11:55 GMTAfter months of wrangling, the Department of Labor is set to triumph in the race with Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) over who would be first out to set fee disclosure policy. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626158/Fee-Disclosure-Reg-Imminent.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 23:08:28 GMTRIA Database has added a social networking element so users can share information on the 30,000 registered investment advisor firms in the database, Julie Cooling, founder and ceo, told FA.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626137/Advisor-Database-Adds-Social-Networking.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 22:33:22 GMTLos Angeles startup del Rey Global Investors plans to launch its first mutual fund, giving retail investors exposure to undervalued foreign companies that show strong or improving business fundamentals, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626042/LA-Startup-Plans-Intl-Value-Fund-Debut.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 19:05:16 GMTGlobal X Funds is preparing to launch the industry’s first lithium exchange-traded fund next week, Evelyn Hu, v.p., told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626025/Global-X-Preps-First-Lithium-ETF.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 18:59:36 GMTNuveen Investments is expanding its defined contribution investment business with the hire of Chris Fitzgerald as senior v.p. and director of business development for retirement platforms, effective July 1. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2626024/Nuveen-Taps-Van-Kampen-Exec.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 18:51:53 GMTMorningstar is planning to divide up its current alternatives category into two separate categories to better compare similar funds, Nadia Papagiannis, alternatives investment strategist, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2625426/Morningstar-To-Split-Alts-Category.aspxWed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries has written to the Internal Revenue Service asking the IRS to allow 403(b) plan participants to self-certify statements that a financial hardship does, in fact, exist on hardship loan applications. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2625331/ASPPA-Asks-For-IRS-Assistance-With-403b-Hardship-Loans.aspxTue, 06 Jul 2010 23:29:52 GMTPIMCO and Morgan Stanley Investment Management have registered transferable rights offerings for closed-end funds, further bolstering the recovering closed-end fund market, according to Cecilia Gondor, executive v.p. at Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2625327/PIMCO-Morgan-Stanley-Latest-To-Plot-Rights-Offerings.aspxTue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTMutual fund advertising spending in the first quarter of 2010 decreased by nearly 19% year over year, surprising industry observers who anticipated firms would have begun to market more aggressively now that the economy appears to be recovering. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623841/Surprise-Ad-Spend-Declines-in-Q1.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTCapitol Hill insiders are saying that recently planned initiatives to curtail rapidly mounting federal debt may cause Congress to reduce or restructure tax breaks and/or participation levels for 401(k) plans. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623842/Debt-Burden-Could-Threaten-401k-Tax-Breaks.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation has issued a request for proposals for investment and administration services for its 43,000-life 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity retirement plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623843/NYC-Seeks-Provider-For-13B-Plan.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe defined contribution industry is examining ways to close the gap between returns in DC plans and defined benefit plans. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623844/DC-Heavyweights-Eye-DB-Models.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission should tweak its plan to collect and analyze trade data from large traders, according to the Investment Company Institute. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623845/ICI-Urges-Large-Trader-Changes.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe City of Anaheim Deferred Compensation Committee is planning to issue a request for proposals for a recordkeeper for its $158.7 million 457 and part-time plans. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623846/Anaheim-Readies-Recordkeeper-Search.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTHow many investment options do you recommend for a retirement plan investment lineup? How many is enough, and how many is too many? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623695/CONSULTANT-FORUM.aspxFri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMTGoldman Sachs Asset Management this week launched a strategic income fund that will invest in a “broadly diversified” portfolio of U.S. and foreign fixed-income securities designed to provide higher yields to shareholders. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2623021/Goldman-Launches-Strategic-Income-Fund.aspxThu, 01 Jul 2010 21:37:22 GMTAs the July 4 recess approached last week, there was still no word on when the Department of Labor would make its final ruling on 401(k) plan provider disclosures. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2622843/On-Fee-Disclosure-Its-Hurry-Up-And-Wait.aspxThu, 01 Jul 2010 18:18:36 GMTTexas advisor Swank Energy Income Advisors is entering the open-end fund business with a fund that will invest primarily in a portfolio of master limited partnerships. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2622805/Texas-Advisor-Latest-To-Enter-MLP-Fund-Biz.aspxThu, 01 Jul 2010 17:49:58 GMTThe Supreme Court’s decision last week to hear the Janus Capital Group v. First Derivative Traders case sets the stage for a ruling on the extent to which mutual fund advisors are liable for misrepresentations and omissions by the funds, industry lawyers said last week. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2622653/New-Liability-For-Advisors-Issue-In-Janus-Case.aspxThu, 01 Jul 2010 16:11:08 GMTActive managers that have generated alpha during a full market cycle—typically five to six years—are likely to continue generating alpha throughout the following market cycle, according to Jane Li, manager of investment and research at FundQuest. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2622650/Study-Judge-Alpha-Generators-On-Cycle-Performance.aspxThu, 01 Jul 2010 16:06:37 GMTInvesco PowerShares has changed the index providers for five of its exchange-traded funds to make them more attractive to financial advisors, Ed McRedmond, senior v.p. of institutional and portfolio strategies, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2622603/PowerShares-Switches-Index-Providers.aspxThu, 01 Jul 2010 15:31:23 GMTNew York Life Retirement Plan Services is planning to launch a revamped Web site for retirement plan participants in November. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621988/NY-Life-Readies-New-Web-Site-For-Participants.aspxWed, 30 Jun 2010 21:41:14 GMTFidelity Investments has proposed a reorganization of its Portfolio Advisory Service funds of funds series that would allow the funds to hire subadvisors to manage specific mandates, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621987/Fidelity-To-Hire-Subadvisors-For-PAS-Funds.aspxWed, 30 Jun 2010 21:39:13 GMTCongress’s shelving of a big tax bill is bad news for some fund companies. The “extenders” bill, among other things, would have extended until Dec. 31 an exemption from U.S. withholding tax for foreign investors in shares of U.S. mutual funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621952/Tax-Exemption-For-Fund-Investors-Shelved.aspxWed, 30 Jun 2010 20:40:45 GMTClaymore Securities is focusing on registered investment advisors, dedicating five wholesalers to the distribution channel in order to help meet asset growth goals over the next few years, according to Steven Baffico, senior managing director and head of U.S. retail distribution.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621950/Claymore-Focuses-Distribution-On-RIAs.aspxWed, 30 Jun 2010 20:38:36 GMTBlackRock suggests companies set their retirement plan match to 37.5% on 8% of participant contributions to increase the amount of money participants save for retirement, following findings in the 2010 BlackRock Survey of 401(k) participant behavior, released yesterday.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621943/BlackRock-Outlines-How-To-Increase-Retirement-Plan-Savings.aspxWed, 30 Jun 2010 20:24:07 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission should enter into a “more robust discussion” of the linkages and interdependency of stocks with the futures and options markets outside the SEC’s own jurisdiction, according to the Investment Company Institute. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621073/ICI-Wants-Closer-SEC-CFTC-Ties.aspxTue, 29 Jun 2010 23:23:13 GMTWith both institutional and retail investors underweight in equities, now is the time for investors to commit cash to the asset class, according to Robert Reynolds, Putnam’s president and ceo.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2621052/Putnam-Time-Is-Ripe-For-Equities.aspxTue, 29 Jun 2010 23:00:22 GMTRetirement plan participants should be using target-date income funds, which invest a portion of assets into deferred annuities, to optimize post-retirement income needs and reduce the risk that participants will outlive their nest eggs, Chip Castille, head of BlackRock’s U.S. and Canada Defined Contribution, told attendees at the firm’s 2020 DC Vision breakfast in New York City. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2620918/BlackRock-Pushes-Target-Date-Income-Funds.aspxTue, 29 Jun 2010 19:36:08 GMTGuardian Insurance & Annuity Company launched its first immediate annuity which will be available though GIAC agents and third-party distributors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2620160/Guardian-Unveils-Immediate-Annuity.aspxMon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTCohen & Steers and Eaton Vance last week became the latest closed-end fund providers to receive demand letters from a law firm claiming the management, trustees and officers of specific funds breached their fiduciary duty in connection with the redemption of auction-rate preferred securities following the collapse of the auction markets in February 2008. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619164/Closed-End-Providers-Hit-With-Demand-Letters-Lawsuits.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe City of Los Angeles Deferred Compensation Plan plans to issue a request for proposals Dec. 17 for a third-party administrator (TPA) for its $2.9 billion 457(b) plan and also intends to issue RFPs for a new investment lineup over the next 12-18 months.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619165/Los-Angeles-Readies-29-Bln-Administrator-Search.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTPutnam Investments President and CEO Robert Reynolds expects to unveil a suite of lifetime income funds later this summer that will combine the Boston firm's current offerings with an insurance component.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619167/Reynolds-Focuses-On-Lifetime-Income-Ranking.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTState securities regulators are gearing up for a wave of investment advisory firms, including mutual funds, looking to register. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619183/States-Get-Ready-For-Advisory-Firm-Registration-Gusher.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTOneAmerica has agreed to acquire McCready and Keene. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619186/Indianapolis-Firms-Unite.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe City of Austin (Texas) Deferred Compensation Plan has hired ING U.S. Retirement Service as it provider, dropping Great-West Retirement Services from its $235 million, 10,500-life 457 plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619187/City-of-Austin-Swaps-Providers.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTExpense ratios for exchange-traded funds can eventually reach zero, said Scott Burns, director of ETF analysis at Morningstar, during the "Hot Topics In ETFs" panel. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619200/How-Low-Can-ETF-Fees-Go.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTRick Matta, principal at Groom Law Group, told FA while transparency and more information [for target-date funds] is always good in terms of disclosure, the Securities and Exchange Commission may be a little off the mark on this one. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619204/The-Securities-and-Exchange-Commission-has-proposed-that-providers-of-target-date-funds-offer-further.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTBill McNabb, ceo of Vanguard Group, advocated for financial reform in his keynote speech at Morningstar's 22nd annual Investment Conference, saying public trust in financial institutions needed to be restored. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619199/McNabb-Says-Reform-Needed-To-Restore-Trust.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTPhiladelphia Gas Works is planning a search for recordkeeper but is first issuing a request for proposals for a consultant for its $79.5 million 457(b) plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619184/Philly-Gas-Works-Readies-Recordkeeper-Search.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed updating its antifraud guidance as part of a package of reforms aimed at improving the information given to investors in target-date funds and clarifying the meaning of a date in such funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2619185/SEC-Plans-New-Fund-Antifraud-Guidance.aspxFri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTCharles Schwab has plans to launch an International Collective Trust Fund later this year, using a subadvisor model diversified across large, small and emerging international markets.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2618177/Schwab-Readies-Intl-Collective-Trust-Fund.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 19:12:53 GMTT. Rowe Price Group has launched a new Web site for 401(k) plan sponsors, which enables them to compare their own plan against the universe of plans serviced by the firm. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2618162/T-Rowe-Introduces-New-Sponsor-Site.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 19:03:10 GMTPlan sponsors are increasingly interested in adding a guaranteed option to their defined contribution plans, said Tom Idzorek, director of research at Ibbotson Associates, during a discussion on income strategies for retirees. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2618099/Ibbotson-Director-Annuities-Will-Take-Hold.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 18:33:49 GMTInvestment managers are stepping up the frequency with which they step out on trades in the separately managed account business. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2618089/Survey-SMA-Firms-Step-Up-Step-Out-Trades.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 18:29:07 GMTEaton Vance is planning its first closed-end fund initial public offering in more than a year, having registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch the Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond and Option Strategies Fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2618040/Eaton-Vance-Plans-Closed-End-IPO.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 17:28:48 GMTNorthern Trust has seen assets in its multi-manager funds more than double since last year to more than $7 billion, thanks to an increase in interest from financial advisors, Andrew Smith, senior v.p. and chief investment officer, told attendees at the firm’s annual media luncheon in Chicago. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2617961/Northern-Trust-Pushes-Multi-Manager-Funds.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 15:24:59 GMTJeffrey Gundlach, ceo of DoubleLine Capital Management, said the threat of deflation and default are the two biggest risks the economy is facing today. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2617747/Gundlach-Deflation-Default-Are-Biggest-Risks.aspxThu, 24 Jun 2010 10:40:42 GMTThe House-Senate conference on financial regulatory reform legislation made several decisions affecting mutual funds and the Securities and Exchange Commission, but more important choices—on matters such as point of sale disclosures—were still up in the air at press time. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2617402/Reg-Reform-Inches-Ahead-For-Funds.aspxWed, 23 Jun 2010 21:47:12 GMTAllianceBernstein has unveiled a multi-manager target-date series available to defined contribution plans with a minimum of $50 million in target-date assets. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2617381/AllianceBernstein-Launches-Multi-Manager-Target-Date-Series.aspxWed, 23 Jun 2010 20:57:52 GMTDWS Investments has hired Dreman Value Management as the subadvisor for its $33.4 million DWS International Value Opportunities Fund, which it has renamed the DWS Dreman International Value Fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2616869/DWS-Hires-Dreman-To-Manage-Intl-Value-Fund.aspxWed, 23 Jun 2010 10:39:20 GMTTransamerica Retirement Services has launched two sets of webinars for third-party administrators, focusing on prominent speakers and training seminars. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2617378/Transamerica-Launches-TPA-Webinar-Series.aspxWed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTScores of skittish investors who failed to shift money into equities and other riskier asset classes over the past year missed an upside opportunity and now face a greater challenge in preparing for retirement, according to Phill Rogerson, managing director of consulting services for Russell Investments’ Private Client Services business.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2604129/Russell-Many-May-Miss-Retirement-Goals.aspxMon, 21 Jun 2010 10:53:57 GMTOppenheimerFunds Retirement Services has launched three new applications on its Web site to help plan sponsors and financial advisors better manage retirement plan fees and expenses, deal with regulatory changes and review their plans.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2604128/OppenheimerFunds-Enhances-Plan-Sponsor-Services.aspxMon, 21 Jun 2010 10:53:57 GMTMichigan-based McClaren Health Care Corporation has hired MassMutual Retirement Services as the new provider for its 403(b), 401(k), 457(b) and 457(f) retirement plans, replacing MetLife Resources.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2604127/Health-Care-Provider-Swaps-MetLife-For-MassMutual.aspxMon, 21 Jun 2010 10:53:56 GMTThe Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Trust Fund board of directors has issued four requests for proposals seeking investment managers and custodial services for its $482 million PACT Trust Fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2603574/Alabama-Fund-Hunts-For-Managers-Custodian.aspxFri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Maryland State Retirement Agency has issued a request for proposals for recordkeeping services for its $1.9 billion Optional Retirement Program. Bids are due July 16. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2603575/Maryland-Searches-For-Recordkeeper.aspxFri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTPlan sponsors of all sizes chimed in on how likely they would be to recommend their provider to another plan sponsor, voting Vanguard Group and Fidelity Investments into number one spots based on plan size. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2603576/Fido-Vanguard-Top-Sponsor-Loyalty-Ranks.aspxFri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTFederated Investors has introduced a podcast page on Apple's iTunes, the start of a nearly year-long campaign to ramp up its online presence that also will include the launch of Facebook and Twitter pages this summer and a full revamp and relaunch of the Pittsburgh firm's Web site by the first quarter of 2011, according to JT Tuskan, director of marketing. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2603579/Federated-Plots-Virtual-Makeover.aspxFri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAllianceBernstein has picked up the first variable annuity mandate for its Dynamic Asset Allocation strategy. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2603580/AllianceBernstein-Picks-Up-VA-Mandate.aspxFri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTClifford Michaels, principal at the New York City-based firm, told FA he's not concerned about defaulting annuities, as long as he's sticking with the top six or seven providers, such as New York Life Insurance Company and John Hancock.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2603588/Have-you-been-advising-your-clients-to-use-an-annuity-in-their-portfolio-in-light-of-recent-concerns.aspxFri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTMutual fund firms need to optimize the value e-business teams to take advantage of opportunities, according to Eric Daugherty, marketing director at kasina. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602703/kasina-Firms-Can-Tie-e-Business-To-Bottom-Line.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 22:49:31 GMTOld Mutual Asset Management will open an office in the Middle East within the next year. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602591/Old-Mutual-To-Open-Middle-East-Office.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 20:27:07 GMTNuveen Investments has launched an international equity mutual fund managed by its growth-oriented subsidiary Santa Barbara Asset Management. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602590/Nuveen-Launches-Intl-Growth-Equity-Fund.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 20:23:18 GMTIntermediaries who buy and sell securities for unregistered private funds should consider carefully whether they need to register as broker-dealers, according to Andrew Donohue, director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602564/SECs-Donohue-Warns-About-Unregistered-B-Ds.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 19:58:33 GMTMichigan-based McClaren Health Care Corporation has hired MassMutual Retirement Services as the new provider for its 403(b), 401(k), 457(b) and 457(f) retirement plans, replacing MetLife Resources. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602552/Health-Care-Provider-Swaps-MetLife-For-MassMutual.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 19:39:08 GMTScores of skittish investors who failed to shift money into equities and other riskier asset classes over the past year missed an upside opportunity and now face a greater challenge in preparing for retirement, according to Phill Rogerson, managing director of consulting services for Russell Investments’ Private Client Services business. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602513/Russell-Many-May-Miss-Retirement-Goals.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 18:34:48 GMTOppenheimerFunds Retirement Services has launched three new applications on its Web site to help plan sponsors and financial advisors better manage retirement plan fees and expenses, deal with regulatory changes and review their plans. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2602551/OppenheimerFunds-Enhances-Plan-Sponsor-Services.aspxThu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTALPS Advisors has filed for the industry’s first energy infrastructure master limited partnerships exchange-traded fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2601814/ALPS-Readies-First-MLP-ETF.aspxWed, 16 Jun 2010 22:18:52 GMTCogent Research today released plan sponsor rankings regarding loyalty to their current 401(k) providers. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2601707/Cogent-Ranks-Loyalty-Among-401k-Providers.aspxWed, 16 Jun 2010 19:28:48 GMTManning & Napier Advisors on Wednesday named Patrick Cunningham chief executive officer and Jeff Coons president.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2601855/Manning-and-Napier-Names-CEO-President.aspxWed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTFrank Koster, chief investment officer for fixed-income, and Jerome Hepplemann, portfolio manager of the $580 million Old Mutual Focused Fund, talked up their strategies for investing in a “fragile” market today at the Old Mutual Asset Managers’ “Market Risks and Opportunities: Second Half of 2010” press briefing in New York City. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2601813/Old-Mutual-Outlines-Strategy-For-Fragile-Economy.aspxWed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTICMA-RC is planning to launch its first annuity offering to state and local government employees through a separate account wrapped by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2596929/ICMA-RC-Readies-Annuity-Offering.aspxTue, 15 Jun 2010 21:10:27 GMTDefined contribution plans continue to underperform defined benefit plans because they don’t use institutional strategies, according to Callan Associates. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2596883/Callan-DC-Plans-Need-More-Instl-Strats.aspxTue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTInvestors Against Genocide has begun targeting financial advisors for the first time with an advertising campaign that highlights the group’s first white paper and a recent survey. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2595291/Activists-Target-Advisors-With-Anti-Genocide-Message.aspxMon, 14 Jun 2010 14:53:05 GMTPutnam Investments plans to unveil three U.S. multi-cap equity funds in September. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2595931/Putnam-Readies-Multi-Cap-Fund-Family.aspxMon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Illinois Student Assistance Commission has filed a request for proposals for an investment consultant for its $950 million, 529 prepaid tuition program. Bids are due June 17. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2594555/Illinois-Ed-Committee-Seeks-Consultant-For-950-Mln-529-Plan.aspxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe State of Indiana Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan has issued a request for proposals for a real return investment option for its $800 million 457(b) and 401(a) plans. Bids are due June 30. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2594556/Indiana-Searches-For-Real-Return.aspxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTFirms are embracing Build America Bonds, with an increasing number rolling out funds focused on the debt instruments. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2594560/Build-America-Offerings-Take-Off.aspxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTSenior Obama administration officials testifying before the Senate Aging Committee next week will launch a discussion on how to free 401(k) plan sponsors from participant class-action lawsuits and big losses if the sponsor picks an annuity seller and the insurer later goes belly up. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2594563/Govt-Plans-To-Woo-Employers-To-Annuities.aspxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTFirms looking to shorten their exams can do so by pressuring their custodians to cooperate with the Securities and Exchange Commission's exam staffers, according to Norman Champ, associate regional director of the agency's New York office. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2594566/SEC-Get-Tough-On-Custodians.aspxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTDoes your plan have access to emerging markets? If not, do you plan on adding funds in the future? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2594576/PLAN-SPONSOR-FORUM.aspxFri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTVanguard Group has hired Wellington Management to manage an undisclosed portion of its $2 billion Vanguard International Explorer Fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2593463/Vanguard-Taps-Wellington-To-Subadvise-Intl-Fund.aspxThu, 10 Jun 2010 17:39:37 GMTVan Eck Global has reduced expenses on three of its Market Vectors exchange-traded funds, citing the growth of its ETF business as the reason.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2593458/Van-Eck-Cuts-Fees-On-Three-Market-Vectors-ETFs.aspxThu, 10 Jun 2010 17:34:41 GMTPIMCO this week published the first in a series of articles detailing its three- to five-year secular outlook for the global economy and financial markets. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2592634/PIMCO-Debuts-Global-Outlook-Series.aspxWed, 09 Jun 2010 19:37:40 GMTOppenheimerFunds has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the Oppenheimer Master Inflation Protected Securities Fund, which will invest a minimum of 80% of its assets in inflation-indexed debt securities. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2592430/Oppenheimer-Readies-Inflation-Protection-Fund.aspxWed, 09 Jun 2010 15:59:59 GMTBradley Tank, chief investment officer of fixed income at Neuberger Berman, told attendees at the firm’s anniversary luncheon that the probability of bond funds losing money in a single year has never been more likely than it is today. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2592427/Neuberger-CIO-Bond-Funds-Never-Riskier-Than-Today.aspxWed, 09 Jun 2010 15:55:55 GMTRussell Investments is encouraging investors to take what the market calls a “to” view of target-date fund glide-path strategy when the top three target-date fund providers are encouraging a “through” approach. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2592423/Russell-Investments-Takes-Contrarian-Stance-On-Glidepath.aspxWed, 09 Jun 2010 15:50:22 GMTLazard Asset Management is in the process of closing its $13 billion Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio to new investors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2592635/Lazard-To-Close-Emerging-Marts-Fund.aspxWed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Investment Company Act is being “stretched and challenged in ways inconceivable” since 1940, when Congress passed it, Andrew Donohue said in a June 3 speech at an event jointly sponsored by the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2591619/Donohue-40-Act-Needs-Facelift.aspxTue, 08 Jun 2010 17:16:35 GMTLegg Mason has named a new head of marketing and product for U.S.-based operations, filling a position that has been vacant since March 2009 when Matthew Schiffman was promoted to head of retail for the Americas (FA, 3/23/2009). http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2591612/Legg-Mason-Names-US-Marketing-Product-Head.aspxTue, 08 Jun 2010 17:13:24 GMTFinancial advisors are spending more time than ever talking to clients about basic personal finance issues and less time pushing individual products, according to a new survey from Principal Financial Group.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2591755/Principal-Advisors-Put-Counseling-On-Priority.aspxTue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTPlan sponsors discuss their views on emerging markets funds in this week's Plan Sponsor Forum. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2589998/Plans-Not-Anxious-To-Embrace-Emerging-Markets.aspxMon, 07 Jun 2010 20:48:23 GMTBank of America Merrill Lynch has revamped its advisor-sold retirement plan platform, which offers investment services, recordkeeping and administration for small businesses.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2586536/BofA-Redesigns-Advisor-Sold-Plans.aspxMon, 07 Jun 2010 19:05:10 GMTZebra Capital Management, the firm co-founded by Ibbotson Associates founder Roger Ibbotson, is getting into the business of subadvising mutual funds through its liquid return strategy.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2586316/Ibbotson-Founder-Gets-Into-Subadvisory-Biz.aspxMon, 07 Jun 2010 15:33:00 GMTLegg Mason has set its sights on the retirement business, with the goal of becoming a leading provider of investment services for baby boomers and future generations of retirees. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585403/Legg-Mason-Aims-To-Up-DC-Mart-Profile.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTA ruling on 401(k) plan fee disclosure has been postponed after House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-Ca.) reportedly flexed his muscles with the White House to halt a rival Department of Labor measure. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585405/Miller-Slams-Brakes-On-Fee-Disclosure.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Board of Trustees of the College Savings Plans of Nevada is conducting a maiden search for an investment consultant for its 529 college savings plans--four 529 plans and a prepaid plan--with a total of $4.6 billion in assets. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585409/Nevada-Searches-For-529-Consultant.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTSenior industry officials gave the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ringing endorsements as it seeks to become a self-regulatory organization for investment advisors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585413/Industry-Officials-Push-For-FINRA-Oversight.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTUnited States Commodity Funds has launched the first exchange-traded fund to provide exposure to Brent crude oil, which is sourced in the North Sea and trades in London. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585416/US-Commodity-Funds-Debuts-First-Ever-Brent-ETF.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTInstitutional Investor is considering hiring an investment consultant for its 550-life, $37 million 401(k) plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585417/Financial-Publisher-Eyeing-401k-Consultants.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAre you still using money market funds following heavy outflows this year? If so, how do you plan to use them in clients' portfolios over the course of the year? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2585419/ADVISOR-FORUM.aspxFri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEaton Vance launched a quantitative international equity fund this week that is meant to provide broad exposure to developed markets outside the United States with minimum volatility, according to Paul Bouchey, director of research at Parametric Portfolio Advisors, the fund’s subadvisor and a subsidiary of Eaton Vance. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2584485/Eaton-Vance-Launches-Intl-Quant-Fund.aspxThu, 03 Jun 2010 21:49:48 GMTInvesco PowerShares launched its first international corporate bond exchange-traded fund today, 15 days after State Street Global Advisors launched the industry’s first international corporate bond ETF (FA, 5/24). http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2584418/PowerShares-Hops-On-Intl-Corporate-Bond-Bandwagon.aspxThu, 03 Jun 2010 20:45:19 GMTDelaware Investments plans to fold its $154.3 million Delaware Growth Equity Fund into its $234.8 million Delaware Select Growth Fund and its $381.7 million Delaware Trend Series Fund into its $257.4 million Delaware Smid Cap Growth Fund. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2583445/Delaware-Investments-To-Combine-Equity-Funds.aspxWed, 02 Jun 2010 23:24:05 GMTAmerican Century Investments has hired Rich Weiss as a senior v.p. and senior portfolio manager of the firm’s $9.25 billion asset allocation funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2583416/American-Century-Boosts-Asset-Allocation-Team.aspxWed, 02 Jun 2010 22:41:31 GMTNeuberger Berman has been sending out through e-mail a new feature it calls “Chart of the Month” to its preferred advisor clients. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2583415/Neuberger-Sends-Thought-Piece-To-Select-Clients.aspxWed, 02 Jun 2010 22:38:46 GMTProviders that offer target-date funds need to offer more specific product suggestions and advice on how to use these funds to retirement plan participants—or none at all—according to Lynette DeWitt, director of lifecycle fund research at Financial Research Corporation.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2583405/FRC-Better-Target-Date-Advice-Needed.aspxWed, 02 Jun 2010 22:05:28 GMTThe majority of advisors are avoiding or exiting money funds as a result of low yields, according to FA's most recent Advisor Forum.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2583274/Most-Advisors-Shun-Money-Funds.aspxWed, 02 Jun 2010 18:31:04 GMTThe goal of money market fund reform is for money market funds to be able to “stand on their own,” according to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s top fund official. Andrew Donohue, director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, said during a May 26 speech in Brussels that money funds should be able to operate without help from either their advisors or the government. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2583273/Donohue-Redefines-Money-Fund-Aims.aspxWed, 02 Jun 2010 18:29:57 GMTThe Investment Company Institute on May 25 urged the Internal Revenue Service to simplify cost basis reporting in cases where ownership of securities changes hands due to death of the owner or the gift of the shares to somebody else. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2582344/ICI-Seeks-Simpler-DeathGift-Cost-Basis.aspxTue, 01 Jun 2010 22:32:27 GMTInteractive Data is looking to expand its presence in the exchange-traded funds business in the U.S. and Asia, hiring Jeffrey Torchon in the newly created position of ETFs global market manager to coordinate efforts. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2582341/Interactive-Data-Eyes-ETF-Expansion.aspxTue, 01 Jun 2010 22:29:34 GMTThe official overseeing Massachusetts’s securities law compliance has written to the Department of Labor, commending it for seeking a way to prevent retirees from running out of money but cautioning that present-day annuities are not the answer. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2582340/Mass-Official-Pans-Annuities-For-DC-Plans.aspxTue, 01 Jun 2010 22:25:30 GMTGoldman Sachs Asset Management hired Philip Callahan as managing director in its defined contribution group. He reports to Bill McDermott, head of the firm’s institutional defined contribution business. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581801/Goldman-Hires-Defined-Contribution-Exec.aspxTue, 01 Jun 2010 10:46:11 GMTHaving completed the integration and rebranding of a number of mutual funds it has acquired in the past two years, Forward Management is turning its focus to expanding its lineup to meet increasing demand from advisors for alternative investments. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581800/Forward-Eyes-Alts-Subadvisors.aspxTue, 01 Jun 2010 10:45:55 GMTRidgeWorth Investments has launched the first phase of a new interactive fee benchmarking tool for advisors who work with retirement plan sponsors and is preparing to roll out the second phase in July. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581799/RidgeWorth-Goes-Live-With-Fee-Benchmarking-Tech.aspxTue, 01 Jun 2010 10:45:52 GMTBig mutual fund firms could be headed for a collision with the "Volcker Rule" if Congress limits the possibility of exempting investment companies. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581161/Industry-Leaders-Face-Off-Against-Volcker-Rule.aspxFri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Kansas Board of Regents has issued a request for proposals for investment consultants for its $2.26 billion 403(b) retirement plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581162/Kansas-Searches-For-403b-Consultant.aspxFri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTIndustry heavy-hitters are not on the same page on the best way to use target-date funds or how they affect portfolios. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581165/Big-Managers-Butt-Heads-On-Target-Date-Usage.aspxFri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTMutual fund firms are attempting to coax investors from fixed-income funds into equity funds on the heels of historic fixed-income inflows. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2581167/Fund-Firms-Try-To-Kindle-Equities-Interest.aspxFri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTRidgeWorth Investments has launched the first phase of a new interactive fee benchmarking tool for advisors who work with retirement plan sponsors and is preparing to roll out the second phase in Julyhttp://www.fundaction.com/Article/2580394/RidgeWorth-Goes-Live-With-Fee-Benchmarking-Tech.aspxThu, 27 May 2010 22:08:05 GMTHaving completed the integration and rebranding of a number of mutual funds it has acquired in the past two years, Forward Management is turning its focus to expanding its lineup to meet increasing demand from advisors for alternative investments. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2580386/Forward-Eyes-Alts-Subadvisors.aspxThu, 27 May 2010 22:06:14 GMTGoldman Sachs Asset Management hired Philip Callahan as managing director in its defined contribution group. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2580385/Goldman-Hires-Defined-Contribution-Exec.aspxThu, 27 May 2010 22:06:10 GMTBlackRock’s iShares unit launched the iShares MSCI Poland exchange-traded fund this week, the firm’s fourth single-country ETF launch this month. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2580324/iShares-Launches-Single-Country-ETFs.aspxThu, 27 May 2010 20:50:16 GMTTowers Watson reported a continued upward trend in defined contribution adoption as defined benefit plans continue to decline at the nation’s largest companies. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579496/Towers-Watson-Large-Companies-Favor-DC-Plans.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 22:59:57 GMTThe ETF Store has formed a new asset management firm, Impetus Capital Management, to provide subadvisory services to institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals and third-party investment advisors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579444/ETF-Store-Targets-Subadvisory-Biz-With-New-Firm-CIO.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 21:21:45 GMTThe Investment Adviser Association wants Congress to turn the Securities and Exchange Commission into a self-funded agency rather than one that would force advisors to pony up for their examinations and inspections. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579432/IAA-SEC-Self-Funding-Not-User-Fees.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 21:18:15 GMTDeutsche Bank has promoted Elizabeth Zieglmeier, head of client relationships in the Americas for DB Advisors, to head of the Americas, replacing Kyle Delaney, who held the position since 2008.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579362/DB-Advisors-Names-New-Head-of-Americas.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 20:34:41 GMTThe American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries wrote a letter last week to the Internal Revenue Service asking it to keep its Determination Letter Program. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579360/ASPPA-Asks-IRS-To-Retain-Determination-Program.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 20:28:40 GMTSecurities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Luis Aguilar called on the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to investigate the trading activity of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds on the day of the ‘flash crash.’http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579358/Aguilar-Examination-Of-Fund-Trades-Needed.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 20:25:43 GMTBrightScope will launch an advisor profiling system this fall that will track information on 750,000 advisors registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579324/BrightScope-Readies-Advisor-Info-Network.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 19:30:47 GMTAXA Equitable has hired Mark Scalercio as senior v.p. of marketing and sales support for the 401(k) & Association Business, effective immediately. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579287/AXA-Taps-Hartford-Big.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 18:53:16 GMTGrail Advisors will launch a new actively managed exchange-traded fund designed to attract investors who are fed up with low-yielding money market funds, Bill Thomas, ceo, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579359/Grail-Advisors-To-Launch-Capital-Preservation-ETF.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTOne year into the existence of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee, members of the panel are scratching their heads as they wonder what to do next. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2579177/SEC-Panel-Unsure-Of-Its-Role.aspxWed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTVirtus Investment Partners has hired HIM Monegy to replace SCM Advisors as the subadvisor of its $46.7 million Virtus High Yield Income Fund, according to Joe Fazzino, spokesman for Virtus. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2578481/Monegy-Replaces-SCM-As-High-Yield-Subadvisor.aspxTue, 25 May 2010 23:29:05 GMTSecurity Global Investors is looking to establish a strong foothold in the subadvisory business by targeting the insurance and retirement markets and has hired Kevin Granelli from DWS Investments to lead the effort. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2578480/SGI-Hires-DWS-Sales-Pro-For-Subadvisory-Push.aspxTue, 25 May 2010 23:26:07 GMTIn the latest Advisor Forum, advisors discuss how the flash crash has impacted their portfolio decision-making.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2578410/Advisors-Eye-Volatilty-Opportunities.aspxTue, 25 May 2010 21:26:25 GMTConfidence among advisors in the U.S. economy is at its lowest level since last summer, with worries about the potential impact of the European financial crisis weighing on advisors’ minds, according to Maya Ivanova, senior market research manager at Rydex/SGI. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2578440/Advisor-Confidence-Drops-On-European-Crisis.aspxTue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTPopularity of alternatives mutual funds is growing among retail investors, SEI has found.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2577539/SEI-Alternatives-Have-Gone-Mainstream.aspxMon, 24 May 2010 21:40:04 GMTNuveen Investments on Thursday launched its seventh mutual fund managed by hedge fund subsidiary Symphony Asset Management.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576216/Nuveen-Launches-Credit-Opportunities-Fund.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 15:24:11 GMTThe Employee Plans Compliance Unit of the Internal Revenue Service is homing in on 401(k) plans, issuing a questionnaire to find out if plans are in compliance with current regulations. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576436/IRS-Issues-401k-Compliance-Check.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTRobert Plaze, the senior Securities and Exchange Commission official on the President's Working Group charged with solving the problem of money fund maturity mismatches that blew up in 2008, does not have an answer. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576437/Money-Fund-Working-Group-Throws-Up-Its-Hands.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe School District of Philadelphia is searching for a consultant for its $785 million 403(b) and 457(b) plans to assist in an upcoming provider search. Bids are due June 1. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576438/Philly-Schools-Looks-For-Consultant.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Ohio Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees decided at its meeting May 19 that OPERS target-date funds and OPERS Funds will transition to primarily passive management within its $403 million defined contribution plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576440/OPERS-Switches-To-Passive.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTHouston Community College, on behalf of the Texas Investment Provider Selection Committee, has issued a request for proposals for providers for the 403(b) retirement plans of the committee's members. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576441/Texas-Colleges-Seeks-Providers.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Securities and Exchange Commission has rejected the Swiss Helvetia Fund's attempt to omit a shareholder proposal from its 2010 proxy materials. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2576442/SEC-Backs-Fund-Shareholder-Proposal.aspxFri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTPaxWorld Funds will launch a print advertising campaign on Monday to promote the family of sustainable investing exchange-traded funds it is in the process of launching. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2575467/PaxWorld-Plans-ETF-Focused-Ad-Campaign.aspxThu, 20 May 2010 21:23:37 GMTState Street Global Advisors on Thursday launched the market’s first international corporate bond exchange-traded fund, looking to appeal to fixed-income investors’ desire for diversification. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2575390/SSgA-Offers-Up-First-Intl-Corporate-Bond-ETF.aspxThu, 20 May 2010 19:30:33 GMTEaton Vance is planning to fold its $58.4 million Emerging Markets Fund into its $1.31 billion Structured Emerging Markets Fund, a move prompted by inquiries from trustees about investment performance, expense levels and a decline in assets in recent years, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2575385/Eaton-Vance-To-Combine-Emerging-Markets-Funds.aspxThu, 20 May 2010 19:28:30 GMTIndexIQ will launch at least three more small-cap exchange-traded funds before year-end, following the debut on Wednesday of its IQ Taiwan Small Cap ETF, CEO Adam Patti told FA.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2575049/IndexIQ-Preps-Three-More-Small-Cap-ETFs.aspxThu, 20 May 2010 15:45:05 GMTIn first quarter data findings, Fidelity Investments found 62% of participants that did not fully allocate their assets to a target-date fund underperformed against their respective age-based Fidelity Freedom fund for the year ending March 31. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2575040/Fido-Links-Target-Date-Fund-Performance-To-Allocation.aspxThu, 20 May 2010 15:34:06 GMTCapital Research and Management Company, the advisor to American Funds, is revising limits on investments outside the U.S. for four funds. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2574401/American-Funds-Tweaks-Intl-Limits-On-Four-Funds.aspxWed, 19 May 2010 21:52:44 GMT ING U.S. Retirement Services has created a Form 5500 navigation guide that is targeted towards advisors, consultants and third-party administrators. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2574355/ING-Launches-5500-Advisor-Tool.aspxWed, 19 May 2010 20:54:54 GMTNew York Life Retirement Plan Services has added a second v.p. to its San Francisco office as part of a move to expand NYLife Retirement’s West Coast client base, Stuart Denholm, director of relationship management, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2573584/NYLife-Builds-Up-West-Coast-Office.aspxWed, 19 May 2010 10:52:52 GMTLisa Jones, head of institutional and international distribution, will be leaving Eaton Vance at the end of the month. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2573088/Distribution-Honcho-Leaves-Eaton-Vance.aspxTue, 18 May 2010 19:58:50 GMTMorgan Stanley Investment Management has tapped Lisa Jones as global head of sales, a newly created role within the firm.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2573219/Morgan-Stanley-Poaches-Eaton-Vance-Distribution-Honcho-Update-2.aspxTue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTPutnam Investments next month will begin providing 401(k) plan sponsors with a more detailed breakdown of fees--including revenue-sharing data--in a more user-friendly way than has previously been available in the retirement plan market. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2573209/Putnam-Readies-401k-Fee-Disclosure.aspxTue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTCalvert Investments is promoting the alternative energy and water sectors, maintaining in last week’s research piece that global supply-demand challenges are creating opportunities for companies that operate in the two sectors. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2557561/Calvert-Touts-Water-Alt-Energy.aspxMon, 17 May 2010 21:14:02 GMTNuveen Investments subsidiary Winslow Capital tapped Michael Palmer as president. Palmer will work closely with Clark Winslow, ceo and chief investment officer, to focus on client service and marketing, according to an internal memo obtained by FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2551424/AllianceBernstein-Exec-Tapped-As-Winslow-Prez.aspxMon, 17 May 2010 18:01:01 GMTTexas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation has issued a request for information to plan administrators for its $36 million defined contribution Money Purchase Pension Plan.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2557560/Texas-Non-Profit-Searches-For-Admin.aspxMon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe City and County of Denver is searching for two plan administrators for its $446 million 457 deferred compensation plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487937/Denver-Seeks-Admin-For-457-Plan.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTTwo powerful members of Congress are trying to tilt the balance of how trillions of dollars in 401(k) assets are invested, sending a letter to the Department of Labor that advocates regulatory changes encouraging more investors to choose target-date fund options over making their own investment choices based on advice. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487938/Lawmakers-Push-Target-Date-Investing-Over-Advice.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTMutual fund providers and industry experts are cautioning investors not to overreact to the fiscal crisis in Europe by reducing their exposure to international equities--an area they poured money into throughout 2009 and which performed well last year. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487939/Pros-Dont-Overreact-To-Europes-Crisis.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe House Ways and Means Committee is unlikely to mark up the finance bill that would pass 401(k) fee disclosure into law, dealing a severe blow to chances that Congress will pass it. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487941/Odds-Turn-Against-Fee-Disclosure-Bill.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTFrederick County Public Schools has issued a request for providers for its 2,000-life $82 million 403(b) plan. Bids are due June 1. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487942/Maryland-School-System-Searches-for-Providers.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTCallan Associates has added retirement income analytics to its target-date fund assessment tool, which includes investment data from the first quarter of 2010. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487944/Callan-Target-Date-Tool-Tracks-Retirement-Income.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTGemini Fund Services is looking to take advantage of the increasing investor demand it sees for alternatives mutual funds by helping its clients launch nine alternatives funds over the next few months through its Northern Lights Distributor platform, President Andrew Rogers, told FA. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487945/Gemini-Eyes-Alts-Opportunities.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTNeuberger Berman plans to combine its High Yield Strategies and Income Opportunity closed-end funds in an effort to lower operating expenses, enhance the surviving fund's liquidity and create an opportunity for a greater diversification of holdings due to the new fund's larger asset base, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487946/Neuberger-Berman-Plans-Closed-End-Fund-Combo.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe City Of Spokane, Wash., plans to consolidate its vendors and has selected ICMA-RC pending final contract for its $119 million deferred compensation plan. The action will remove ING U.S. Retirement Services as a long-time provider. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487949/Spokane-Moves-To-Single-Provider.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTGovernment agencies' invitation to the public to say what federal policy should be on annuitization has finally gotten responses from major players in the debate on covering longevity risk. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2487950/Big-Players-Talk-Mandatory-Annuities.aspxFri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe New York City Deferred Compensation Plan is searching for an investment advisor to provide the core-plus fixed-income component of its $380 million Bond Fund option in its 401(k), 401(a), 457 and IRA plans. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2486849/NYC-Seeks-Fixed-Income-Manager.aspxThu, 13 May 2010 18:58:46 GMTNationwide Financial Services tapped Steve Somen as the v.p. of retirement plan operations.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2486602/Pru-Exec-To-Head-Nationwide-Retirement-Ops.aspxThu, 13 May 2010 16:00:32 GMTSteelPath Fund Advisors has launched a family of mutual funds that invest exclusively in energy infrastructure master limited partnerships and is planning a print advertising campaign to promote the new offerings, Portfolio Manager Gabriel Hammond told FA.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2486610/SteelPath-Launches-Open-End-MLP-Funds.aspxThu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe majority of plan sponsors made changes to their 403(b) plans because of new regulations last year, according to the Profit Sharing/ 401(k) Council of America 2010 403(b) Plan Survey.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2485988/PSCA-403b-Plans-Rife-With-Changes.aspxWed, 12 May 2010 20:25:53 GMTThe majority of 401(k) participants do not properly understand target-date strategy, according to a webinar Tuesday held by BlackRock that discussed defined contribution trends. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2485987/BlackRock-Participants-Dont-Grasp-Target-Date-Funds.aspxWed, 12 May 2010 20:18:33 GMTLord Abbett plans in the next few weeks to release a market commentary pushing high-yield bonds as an attractive investment option, Michael Weldon, director of marketing, told FA.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2485986/Lord-Abbett-Eyes-Junk-Bonds.aspxWed, 12 May 2010 20:18:33 GMTJohn Hancock Funds has recently come out with a loud and clear message for its advisors regarding taxes—now is the time to talk to your clients about them. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2485066/Hancock-Tax-Time-Runs-All-Year.aspxTue, 11 May 2010 23:06:18 GMTVanguard Group is urging investors to diversify their bond holdings instead of concentrating in a specific type of bond or at the short end of the yield curve as a guard against the potential for rising interest rates.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2485055/Vanguard-Urges-Bond-Holders-To-Diversify.aspxTue, 11 May 2010 23:03:58 GMTManagers Investment Group has come to an agreement to purchase four mutual funds from Allianz Global Investors, pending shareholder approval. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2484182/Managers-Investment-Group-to-Acquire-Four-Allianz-Funds.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 23:27:56 GMTClaymore Advisors had been forced to liquidate one of its exchange traded funds, Delta Global Shipping, after it proved impossible to assemble a quorum of the fund’s shareholders to approve advisor arrangements made under terms of Claymore’s merger last year with Guggenheim Partners.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2484157/Claymore-Resurrects-Shipping-Fund.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 23:01:54 GMTRussell Investments has released a research report tagging 32% as the optimal allocation to equities for a target-date fund reaching its target date.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2484142/Debate-Over-Target-Date-Funds-Asset-Allocation-Heats-Up.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 22:39:46 GMTThe International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 3 replaced Putnam Investments with The Vanguard Group as the investment manager for its $15 million 401(k) plan. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2483584/Electrical-Union-Swaps-Putnam-For-Vanguard.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 10:52:48 GMTThe National Automatic Sprinkler Industry has hired New York Life Retirement Plan Services as the recordkeeper for its $1.2 billion defined contribution plan, replacing Wells Fargo Retirement. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2483583/Trade-Association-Switches-Providers-For-12-Bln-Plan.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 10:52:47 GMTCallan Associates has added retirement income analytics to its target-date fund assessment tool, which includes investment data from the first quarter of 2010. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2484146/Callan-Target-Date-Tool-Tracks-Retirement-Income.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTDomestic value funds outperformed growth funds as strong equity returns buoyed funds in the first quarter, according to the 2010 Defined Contribution Universe Summary released by Mercer Investment Consulting last week. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2483758/Mercer-Value-Outperforms-Growth-in-Q1.aspxMon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe New Jersey Transit Corporation has issued an expression of interest for an investment advisor for its $556 million 401(k), 401(a) and 457 plans. Letters of interest are due May 17. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482942/NJ-Transit-Searches-For-Advisor.aspxFri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTOver the next two to three weeks the U.S. Senate will debate several amendments to financial regulatory reform that will affect the mutual fund and defined contribution industries. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482943/Fund-Reg-Issues-Coming-To-The-Fore.aspxFri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTAsset management firms should consider adding hybrid wholesalers, forming teams that capitalize on the unique skills of internal, external and hybrid pros, according to Eric Daugherty, marketing director at kasina, which has published the fifth--and final--component of its Excellence in Distribution study. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482944/Fund-Firms-Need-Hybrid-Wholesalers-Study-Says.aspxFri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTJason Evers, chairman of the Advisory Committee for the $1 billion Oregon Growth Savings Plan, has been charged with making a false statement on a 2002 passport application. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482945/Oregon-457-Committee-Chair-Booked-On-Fake-ID-Charges.aspxFri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTHave you added or would you consider a Roth 401(k) as an option in your company's retirement plan? http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482955/PLAN-SPONSOR-FORUM.aspxFri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTThe Investment Company Institute plans to launch research projects in the next several months, including a look at proxy votes cast by mutual funds, analysis of portfolio trading costs and a database of individual retirement accounts, ICI Chairman Paul Schott Stevens told ICI General Membership Meeting attendees during his opening remarks on Wednesday night. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482004/ICI-Plans-New-Research-Unveils-Fact-Book.aspxThu, 06 May 2010 23:08:58 GMTFidelity Investments announced that the $9 billion Fidelity Value Fund will shift from using a single portfolio manager to a team-based approach starting June 7. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2481982/Fidelity-Shifts-Fund-To-Team-Management-Approach.aspxThu, 06 May 2010 22:15:34 GMTAve Maria Mutual Funds has launched its first global offering, the Ave Maria World Equity Fund. The fund will extend the firm’s socially-responsible investment screening to non-U.S. companies for the first time as the firm broadens its lineup to help its investors diversify.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2482016/Ave-Maria-Launches-Its-First-Global-Fund.aspxThu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTPutnam Investments has named Kelly Marshall head of investment product management, a role that puts her in charge of the firm’s existing fund and retirement product lineups and new development. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2480800/Putnam-Names-Product-Management-Chief.aspxWed, 05 May 2010 19:43:33 GMTOppenheimerFunds has restructured its marketing group, laying off 15 generalist staffers and creating a new department focused on providing customized marketing materials and white papers.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2480854/OppenheimerFunds-Restructures-Marketing-Group.aspxWed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMTIvy Funds has launched its first global “go anywhere” fund focused on investing in small and mid-cap companies. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2479962/Ivy-Funds-Launches-Small-Mid-Cap-Global-Fund.aspxTue, 04 May 2010 22:29:54 GMTT. Rowe Price Group is planning to launch a new mutual fund that will invest in companies in the energy, natural resources, real estate, basic materials, equipment, utilities and infrastructure and commodities industries.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2479948/T-Rowe-Plans-Real-Assets-Fund.aspxTue, 04 May 2010 21:53:40 GMTAllowing participants to use part of their 401(k) assets to buy an annuity classified as a Qualified Default Investment Alternative option is one way to get workers to annuitize, a big labor union suggested to the Obama administration. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2479947/Union-Make-Annuities-QDIA-Option.aspxTue, 04 May 2010 21:51:24 GMTThe need for substantial changes to Rule 12b-1 may be reduced, according to Avi Nachmany, executive v.p. and director of research at Strategic Insight.http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2479436/Reduced-Usage-Lowers-Pressure-For-12b-1-Reform.aspxTue, 04 May 2010 12:11:59 GMTMore attempts by industry groups to head off or abate the threat of foreign bank account reporting (FBAR) burdens reached the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on April 27. http://www.fundaction.com/Article/2479347/ERIC-ICI-Fight-Off-FBAR-Burdens.aspxTue, 04 May 2010 10:45:16 GMT