Products September 8, 2008

John Hancock Adds Emerging Markets Fund to 529 Lineup

The John Hancock Funds II Emerging Markets Value Fund was added to four of the John Hancock Freedom 529 college savings plan enrollment-based portfolios and one of its static portfolios.
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The fund, subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors, provides John Hancock’s national Section 529 college savings plan with a diversified and comprehensive platform using a multi-manager approach, the company said in a news release.

At the same time, Hancock is expanding its international allocation in these portfolios in order to better diversify the international component of its investment options and more effectively respond to changes in the international environment, John Hancock said.

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“The investment options available in John Hancock Freedom 529 are a great strength of our plan,” said Terri Hayes, vice president, John Hancock College Savings, in the release. “Adding an emerging markets fund at this time strengthens our offering to clients.”

Following overall investment guidelines established by the Education Trust of Alaska, John Hancock and T. Rowe Price have jointly hand-selected some of “the most respected managers who have consistently shown the ability to outperform their peers,’ the release said.

“We work to provide you with diversification in three ways: by asset class, by investment style and by money manager,’ Hayes said. “ Whichever portfolios customers choose, they have access to funds managed by top fund managers and can benefit from their varied strengths, investment styles, and expertise in different asset classes.’

More information about John Hancock Freedom 529 is available at http://www.johnhancockfreedom529.com/.

Products September 7, 2008

LPL Expands in RIA, Hybrid Markets

LPL Financial Corporation is expanding its product and service offering with introduction of an integrated adviser solution platform, supporting independent registered investment advisers (RIA) and hybrid (dually registered) advisers.
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The platform, expected to roll out in late 2008, enables advisers to address all of their clients’ commission and fee-based needs while also giving them flexibility to grow their independent RIA offering across any business model, according to the firm.

LPL Financial will provide RIA and hybrid advisers with access to a broad range of investment services and products, dedicated and experienced service staff, and what the firm calls best-in-breed technology. The firm will also be offering prospective financial advisers transition services to ensure a smooth on-boarding process.

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The company has appointed industry veteran, Gary Gallagher, to Executive Vice President, Head of RIA Services. Gallagher served as Senior Vice President of Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services at Fidelity Investments, where he launched UMA, alternative investments, separate account and trust platforms for the benefit of intermediaries and investment advisers. Based in Boston, Gallagher will report to Esther Stearns, President and COO, and is responsible for building out the RIA and Hybrid business at LPL Financial.

“We view our continued expansion into the RIA and hybrid markets as a key growth driver for the LPL Financial business, and especially our financial advisers’ businesses in 2008 and beyond,” said LPL Financial CEO, Mark Casady, in a press release. “With this new offering, LPL Financial is redefining the idea of independent advice. This further demonstrates our commitment to provide independent advisers with a conflict-free and unbiased approach to allow them to grow their business on their terms.”

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