Products July 27, 2009

Morningstar Launches Directory of Retirement Plan Service Providers

Morningstar, Inc., has launched a nationwide directory of retirement plan service providers.

Reported by

Morningstar, Inc., has launched a nationwide directory of retirement plan service providers.

The Web-based Morningstar Retirement Plan Service Directory allows users to screen across Form 5500 filings that plan sponsors make with the Department of Labor to find aggregate data about service provider assets, fees, and number of plans served, according to a press release. The directory includes information on more than 5,000 investment managers, consultants, recordkeepers, actuaries, and other providers.

A special research function allows users to review one-page reports on service providers containing a summary of a firm’s services, client assets, top clients, and geographical concentration. Users can search the profiles by provider name, plan name, region, state, or ZIP code, and can sort providers by client assets or number of clients served.

Steve Deutsch, director of the Morningstar pension, endowment, and foundation database, launched in the fall of 2008 (see “Morningstar to Provide Pensions, Endowments, Foundations Info”), said that when compiling information about public and private plans, Morningstar also culled information about providers that serve these plans. “Our new directory is the first application of the work we’ve done on our pension, endowment, and foundation database,” he said in the release.

To access the Retirement Plan Service Directory, register at http://rps.morningstar.com.
Deals & People July 27, 2009

MassMutual Continues Sales Team Additions with Fidelity Alum

MassMutual announced it is continuing to develop its sales team with the addition of Francesca Messano as managing director covering southern California and Hawaii.

Reported by

MassMutual announced it is continuing to develop its sales team with the addition of Francesca Messano as managing director covering southern California and Hawaii.

Messano joins MassMutual from Fidelity Investments, where she was employed for eight years, most recently as senior vice president, retirement specialist for southern California and Hawaii. Prior to Fidelity, she spent six years in the retirement arm of Pioneer Investment Management, according to an announcement.

“In today’s highly-competitive environment, the expertise of top industry professionals like Francesca is of tremendous value to retirement plan advisers,” said Hugh O’Toole, senior vice president of sales and client management for MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division, in the announcement.

Last week, MassMutual announced another Fidelity alumnus, Daniel Darby, was added to the sales team (see “MassMutual Adds to Retirement Services Sales Team”).

Messano is based in San Clemente, California, and can be reached at 949.246.9648.

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