Products September 4, 2014

John Hancock RPS Launches Adviser Support Tools

John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (RPS) released a new website and online tool set that helps advisers simplify 401(k) plan management.
Reported by

The interactive website and tools are branded as the JH Plan Manager. The firm says advisers can use the system to calendarize and implement a customized service approach based on client needs.

To begin, an adviser answers a series of questions about plan clients on www.jhplanmanager.com. The inputs are used to recommend and schedule key activities for the adviser, such as plan reviews, investment reviews, plan design discussions and employee education. The system presents activities in a concise calendar format for easy viewing and can be used to produce a formal service plan or education policy statement to share with the clients.

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The JH Plan Manager can send ongoing notifications to remind advisers of upcoming activities. Advisers can also create print-friendly meeting agendas and checklists to help prepare for client meetings. Advisers may input photos or logos for customized documents, according to the firm.

Andrew Ross, senior vice president for marketing and product development at John Hancock RPS, says the JH Plan Manager will help advisers establish and deliver on their value proposition while also allowing more time to focus on client relationships and business growth.

John Hancock offers and administers a range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

Deals & People September 4, 2014

Ascensus Names Three Regional VPs

Christopher Han, Michael Demler and Michael Palace have joined Ascensus as regional vice presidents. 
Reported by

Han, Demler and Palace will work with financial professionals, third-party administrators and financial institutions—including outsourcing partners and DCIO (defined contribution, investment only) wholesalers—to build and maintain the firm’s distribution networks.

Before coming to Ascensus, Han was a defined contribution internal adviser consultant at BlackRock and a retirement operations analyst at Morgan Stanley. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh, as well as FINRA Series 6, 66, and 7 designations. Han will represent the New York Metro region.

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Demler was previously at Huntington National Bank, where he served as a wholesaler before becoming vice president and sales manager of retirement plan services. Previously, he was a regional sales director at Great-West Retirement Services. Demler holds a bachelor’s degree in business finance from Kent State University. He holds the chartered retirement plans specialist designation as well as FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 designations, along with an Ohio insurance license. Demler will cultivate and tend to Ascensus’ key relationships throughout the mid-America region.

Palace comes to Ascensus from ADP Retirement Services, where he was a retirement services district manager. He also worked as a sales consultant with Transamerica Retirement Solutions. Palace holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University. He also holds the chartered retirement plans specialist designation as well as FINRA Series 6 and 63 designations. Palace will cover the Midwest.

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