Products October 4, 2011

Touchstone to Acquire Mutual Fund Assets from Old Mutual

Touchstone Advisors, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement with Old Mutual Asset Management (OMAM) to acquire select assets of OMAM’s U.S. mutual fund business. 
Reported by

The acquisition will increase Touchstone’s assets under management to nearly $10 billion and add several new sub-advisers to its current roster of fund managers. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The transaction is subject to certain conditions and approvals, and is expected to be completed early in the second quarter of 2012. Upon the completion of the transaction, 17 Old Mutual funds will be reorganized into Touchstone Funds with OMAM’s affiliated investment managers continuing as sub-advisers to a majority of those funds.    

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“The addition of Old Mutual’s affiliated investment managers will increase the range of funds we offer and fills the gaps in our current lineup with boutique managers who have strong, long-term performance records,” said Steven M. Graziano, President of Touchstone Investments. 

Following the closing of the transaction, it is expected that there will be no material changes in the investment strategies employed by the reorganized Old Mutual funds, though it is anticipated that many of the funds will be marketed under the Touchstone brand. 

Deals & People October 4, 2011

Focus Financial Gains Advisory Firm; Fifth Deal of 2011

Focus Financial Partners announced that Hufford Financial Advisors, an independent advisory firm specializing in financial services for dental professionals, has joined the partnership.
Reported by

Founded by Brian Hufford and based in Indianapolis, Hufford Financial Advisors has been working with dental professionals for 15 years.  The firm has an active partnership with Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a 37,000-member association dedicated to serving the needs of dentists. Hufford works with the AGD to educate its members on personal and professional financial matters through webinars and special programs. Focus says Hufford is the only financial services sponsor involved with the AGD, the second largest dental association in North America.

“Hufford meets the Focus standards of excellence in its business model and service to this unique market. Focus continues to look for best-of-breed practices to add to our mix of businesses, and Hufford is clearly a leader in the area of holistically serving the dental community. We look forward to helping them grow this successful model,” said Rudy Adolf, Founder and CEO of Focus Financial Partners.

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In its announcement, Focus explained that dental practices are unique among small businesses and face a complex mix of issues from capital expenditures, talent acquisition and management, tax challenges and education-related debt burdens. Hufford offers end-to-end services to help these professionals manage successfully through the life-cycle of their practices – from inception to growth to eventual transition.

Hufford has over 700 clients in all 50 states with approximately $900 million in client assets. The transaction took effect on September 30th and brings the number of Focus Partners to 22 (see “Focus Financial Expands Network with Boston-based RIA”).

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