DEALS/PEOPLE
Wilmington Trust Expands with Acquisition of AST Capital Trust >
January 31, 2008 -- Wilmington Trust FSB has agreed to acquire AST Capital Trust Company, a provider of directed trustee, trust administration, and back-office services.
COMPLIANCE
403(b) Interests Excluded from Bankruptcy Turnover >
January 31, 2008 -- The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio has ruled the interests of seven debtors in Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Section 403(b) plans did not have to be turned over to the Chapter 7 trustees of the debtors’ estates.
INVESTING
Fund Assets Swell to $12T in December >
January 31, 2008 -- The combined assets of the nation's mutual funds decreased by $30.4 billion, or 0.3%, to $12.04 trillion in December, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI).
INVESTING
New S&P India Index Meets Socially Responsible Investing Standards >
January 31, 2008 -- Standard&Poor’s, CRISIL, and KLD Research&Analytics, a social and environmental research firm, have announced the launch of the S&P ESG India Index.
DEALS/PEOPLE
Symetra Names New Two New Managers for Group Benefits Business >
January 31, 2008 -- Bill Boyett and Eric Nelson have been named regional managers for Symetra Financial’s Group division, responsible for working with agents and brokers to market and distribute Symetra’s worksite products.
PRODUCTS
Nationwide Pairs Target-Date Funds with Fund Window >
January 31, 2008 -- Nationwide Financial Services is now offering a new plan design that includes target-date funds as core investment options along with a mutual fund window.
INVESTING
Could Perfect Pats Pummel Portfolios? >
January 30, 2008 -- Perfection is a rare thing, particularly in sports.
RESEARCH
Older Employees More Likely to Participate in Retirement Plans >
January 30, 2008 -- The likelihood of being a retirement plan participant increases with age, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
PRODUCTS
MacKay Shields Announces High Yield 130/30 Fund >
January 30, 2008 -- MacKay Shields LLC, and its affiliate New York Life Investment Management (NYLIM), announced the availability of the company’s first 130/30 fixed income product offering.
SELLING
Annuities in 401(k) Plans Increasingly Accepted >
January 30, 2008 -- Annuities in defined contribution plans are gaining momentum as aging baby boomers seek to create guaranteed retirement income streams, according to a report from the Financial Research Corporation (FRC).