Deals & People January 27, 2009

FTSE Acquires Qualitative Analysis Business to Bolster Support for New Indexes

The FTSE Group has completed the acquisition of Pensions Benchmark Corporation (PBC), a U.S.-based quantitative analysis business.
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According to a FTSE news release, PBC owner Tom Nadbielny joins FTSE as Quantitative Research Director and will head the organization’s three regional research teams based in London, New York, and Hong Kong.

The announcement said FTSE will integrate PBC’s systems and database within its own operational framework.

The news release said PBC will bolster FTSE’s ability to support clients’ use of its indexes, create new customized indexes, and provide a range of performance and risk analysis.

“Index users are seeking increasingly sophisticated indexing tools and associated data services. The acquisition of PBC and appointment of Tom Nadbielny strengthens our capability to meet that demand and ensure FTSE remains an innovative and market-leading index provider,” said Mark Makepeace, Chief Executive, FTSE Group in the announcement.

More information is available at www.ftse.com.

Deals & People January 27, 2009

Bostonian Group Takes Stake in Benefits Provider for Small Plans

The Bostonian Group, a Boston-based employee benefits firm, has acquired a minority share of Marketing Associates Financial Services, Inc. (MAFS).
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A news release said MAFS will operate as a separate division specializing in benefits and services for smaller, high-growth companies and will operate as a new division, Bostonian Solutions, from Bostonian Group’s current headquarters. Chris DeLorey, MAFS’s principal owner, will lead the new unit, according to the announcement.

Bostonian Solutions will offer a software platform that the announcement claimed streamlines benefits management and enables smaller companies to access the same efficiencies and economies of scale employed by larger businesses.

“We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to dramatically enhance our ability to serve smaller, rapidly growing companies, add more depth in key vertical markets and give our existing clients access to a proven software platform for more efficiently managing benefits,” said Jim Blue, chairman and CEO of The Bostonian Group, in the announcement.

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