Products December 2, 2009

The Principal Offers More Long-Term Disability Choice

The Principal Financial Group now offers Voluntary Long-Term Disability Employee Choice for income protection.

Reported by

According to a press release, the solution gives employees two choices for long-term disability coverage: a basic and enhanced version. Brokers work with the employer to create two different long-term disability benefit designs that generate affordable options for employees.

Because both policies are group voluntary coverage, employees receive a lower group rate and the convenience of paying for their benefits through payroll deduction, the Principal said.

The Principal also provides several choices for voluntary benefit education and enrollment including online enrollment.

“We recognize employers and employees want choice in cost and level of income protection, especially in this economy. This new program gives choice without sacrificing meaningful protection,” said Amy Friedrich, vice president of the Specialty Benefits Division of The Principal. “The option allows brokers to work with their employer clients on a customized voluntary strategy that best fits the needs of their employees.”

More information is available at www.principal.com.

Products December 2, 2009

ETF Securities Offers Gold- and Silver-Backed Funds

ETF Securities USA LLC's ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (SGOL) began trading on the NYSE ARCA on September 9, and its ETFS Physical Silver Shares (SIVR) began trading on the NYSE ARCA on July 24.

Reported by

The objective of the ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares is to reflect the performance of the price of Gold bullion, less the Trust’s operating expenses, and the objective of the ETFS Physical Silver Shares is to reflect the performance of the price of silver bullion, less the Trust’s operating expenses.

Highlights of the new offerings are:

  • gold stored in Switzerland: ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares will custody all of its physical gold bullion in secure LBMA-approved vaults in Zurich, Switzerland, offering diversification benefits across issuer, custodian, and geographies.
  • physically-backed: ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares are backed by allocated physical gold bullion that meets London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) “good delivery” standards. ETFS Silver Trust’s shares represent interest in physical silver bullion held in a London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) approved secured vault.
  • low cost: ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares has an expense ratio of 0.39%. ETFS Silver Trust introduced with an expense ratio of 0.30% p.a. until July 24, 2010, capped at maximum of 0.45% thereafter.
  • transparent: Gold bars underlying ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares will undergo a bi-annual inspection performed by an independent external auditor.

 

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All gold bar identification numbers and all silver bar numbers are published daily to www.etfsecurities.com.

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