Deals & People January 16, 2013

Mutual of Omaha Names Regional Sales Managers

Mutual of Omaha’s Retirement Plans Division aims to extend its 401(k) and related product lines with the addition of four new regional managers.
Reported by

Kevin Doucet will be based in Northern Los Angeles, Robert McAllister the San Francisco Bay area; Erich Otten will serve southern Massachusetts (including Boston), Rhode Island and Connecticut; and Thane Walton will cover the Phoenix market.

“This represents an important expansion into key markets as we solidify our position as the retirement plans provider of choice for the midsized market,” said John Corrieri, vice president of 401(k) at Mutual.  “These professionals bring a wide range of experience to Mutual of Omaha and will support the sustainable growth of our 401(k) product line by working closely with advisers to meet the needs of the plan sponsor and their participants.”

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After serving as associate financial adviser and retirement plans specialist at Legg Mason, Doucet joined Mutual of Omaha in 2007 as West Coast 401(k) Relationship Manager. He graduated from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

McAllister has held senior retirement plan marketing and sales positions at Hartford Life Insurance, Transamerica Corp., New York Life, Security Pacific and Cigna Corp, and most recently acted as regional director at Ameritas Retirement Plans. He is a graduate of Connecticut’s Manchester Community College.

Otten previously served as director of institutional mutual funds at Hartford Life Insurance. Prior to wholesaling defined contributions investment only (DCIO) products, he was a 401(k) internal wholesaler for the Hartford. Otten graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University and is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Walton has 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry with a focus on retirement planning and 401(k) sales.  Previously a retirement plan sales consultant with Principal and Lincoln, he has also served as third party administrator (TPA) channel manager for MassMutual. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University.

Products January 16, 2013

Fidelity Closing Small Cap Discovery Fund

Fidelity Investments is closing Fidelity Small Cap Discovery Fund (FSCRX) to new accounts.
Reported by

As of the close of business on January 31, 2013, new purchases in the fund will be limited to existing shareholders.   

Employer-sponsored retirement plans and certain discretionary programs offered by registered investment advisers (RIAs) may be able to open additional accounts for investors if the fund was established as an option by January 31.   

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For investors considering a small-cap fund, Fidelity offers several additional options, including Fidelity Stock Selector Small Cap Fund; Fidelity Small Cap Value; Fidelity Small Cap Stock Fund; Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund; Fidelity Small Cap Growth Fund; and Fidelity Small Cap Enhanced Index Fund.   

“We believe that closing Small Cap Discovery Fund at this time is in the interests of the fund’s shareholders, and stabilizing cash flows will help Chuck [Myers, the fund’s manager,] in seeking to maintain the fund’s consistent performance track records,” said Brian B. Hogan, president of Fidelity’s Equity Group.

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