Dimensional Fund Advisors Expands Outreach to Independent B/Ds

Dimensional Fund Advisors said it has hired John Blood, formerly with Commonwealth Financial, to lead a new initiative to develop relationships within the broker/dealer community.
“We are establishing selling agreements with select independent broker/dealers that will allow their fee-based advisers to provide clients with Dimensional strategies,” said Michael Lane, vice president and head of Dimensional’s broker/dealer, bank trust, and TAMP (third-party asset management provider) programs, in an announcement. “John’s investment and industry experience will be invaluable to us as we expand our presence within this important industry segment.”

Lane said TAMPs are a good fit for advisers who are seeking support in areas such as operations and marketing. “Our broker/dealer program will focus on serving advisers who have their own operations and marketing resources and want to work with Dimensional to develop opportunities for mutual growth,” he said.

At Commonwealth Financial, Blood was the firm’s chief market strategist and vice president of investments. In this role, he provided investment advice on mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other investment products to independent financial advisers, according to the announcement.

Dimensional Fund Advisors is a global institutional asset management firm owned primarily by employees and directors. As of December 31, Dimensional had $165 billion in assets under management, according to the firm, which has offices in Austin, London, Santa Monica, Sydney, and Vancouver.

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