Deals & People June 4, 2008

Forward Management Picks Up Investment Adviser

Forward Management, LLC, investment adviser to the Forward Funds, has agreed to acquire Accessor Capital Management LP (Accessor), investment adviser to the Accessor Funds.
Reported by

Upon shareholder approval, as a combined fund family, Forward Funds will offer investors 34 mutual funds in no-load and load share classes, with more than $5 billion in assets under management.

Accessor Funds include six lifestyle funds, and its recently launched Strategic Alternatives Fund. Based in Seattle, the firm was founded in 1991 by J. Anthony Whatley, and, according to a press release, was one of the first to launch asset allocation funds, as well as integrate an alternative strategy in their more aggressive lifestyle products.

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Whatley will assume the role of vice chairman, and will head the Investment Policy Committee.

Products June 4, 2008

Fidelity’s HybridOne Manages Both Commission and Fee Business

Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services and National Financial launched HybridOne to meet the needs of firms and advisers that conduct both commission- and fee-based business.
Reported by

The hybrid market is one of the fastest growing segments of financial advisers in the United States, with the majority of all brokers and advisers managing some combination of commission and fee business, according to a press release. The system will give broker/dealers, registered investment adviser (RIA) firms, and individual brokers and advisers in the hybrid space access to the investment products, technology, practice management support and service to manage their clients’ commission- and fee-based accounts.

HybridOne was jointly launched by Fidelity Investment’s RIA custody business, Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, and Fidelity’s broker/dealer arm National Financial.

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“The hybrid market has emerged as a major trend only over the last few years,” said John W. “Jack” Callahan, president, Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services. “As this market grows and evolves, we are working with our dually registered clients to deliver the strongest solution in the industry by continually investing not only in the technology, investment products, and services that meet the distinct needs of this segment, but also in the people and processes to ensure a superior client experience.”

More information is available at www.FidelityHybridOne.com.

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