Products June 13, 2008

Schwab Expands Target-Date Collective Trust Fund Offering

Charles Schwab introduced the Schwab Indexed Retirement Trust Funds to the Charles Schwab Trust Company offering of target-date collective trust funds for retirement plans.
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The Schwab Indexed Retirement Trust Funds are managed and distributed by CSTC, and use primarily passively-managed investment strategies (index funds) in building their asset allocation models, according to a press release. The funds are tied to target retirement dates in five-year increments from 2010 to 2050.

The investments in the fund portfolios are allocated among Russell 1000 Value, Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 2000, MSCI EAFE, and Lehman Aggregate Bond index-based collective trust funds offered by Mellon Capital Management, and the stable value strategy managed by CSTC, the release said. The funds have no minimum balance requirement and have an all-in operating expense ratio of 0.18%.

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More information is available at www.cstcfunds.com.

Products June 13, 2008

Web Application Serves as Link Between Advisers, Clients

Advisor Products Inc. (API), launched a Web site to manage communications between financial advisers and their clients.
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API’s Personal Client Portal platform gives each client a place on the Web to manage their financial affairs, according to a release.

API said the platform is integrated with some applications used by independent advisers, allowing for data such as performance reports and financial plans to automatically and securely display. Integration partners include Albridge Solutions, AssetBook, Black Diamond Performance Reporting, FinancialLogix, MoneyGuide Pro, Money Tree Silver Online, Orion Advisor Services, and RedTail Technology.

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The Web site includes a “to do’ list function enabling advisers to send and receive action items to clients and allied professionals, such as estate planners, and track progress on these action items. The platform also provides a blog and comment function, RSS feeds, and personal finance articles screened to fit each user, the release says.

More information is available at www.advisorsites.com.

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