Our Clients in the News – Financial Services
LifeHealthPro
Reversal of Fortunes
February 19, 2013
“Simplicity, transparency in product structure, and reasonable expenses are critical to helping clients understand and embrace solutions to the retirement income challenge,” said Doug Wolff, President, Security Benefit Life, Topeka, Kan. “We’ve built these into the annuity, which I think will be the ‘go-to’ product for financial advisers and their retirement-oriented clients.”
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Investment News
Fee-based products attract attention
February 3, 2013
“It’s the perfect storm in terms of the retirement challenge. We have historically low interest rates, volatility and an impending rise in tax rates,” said Doug Wolff, president of Security Benefit Life, which introduced its Elite Designs fee-based variable annuity last April. “We see a lot of potential in a marketplace that hasn’t historically embraced annuities,” Mr. Wolff said.
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InsuranceNewsNet Magazine
2013 Finds Players Taking Seats, Upping Game at Annuity Table
February 2013
Security Benefit Life Insurance Co.’s new Foundations Annuity is an indexed annuity that the carrier is labeling as “next generation.” The product “capitalizes on the general account capabilities of Guggenheim Investments, which is a subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners.
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CNBC
4% Interest, Without Fees: Too Good To Be Checking?
February 11, 2013
Let’s be honest, the interest rate on most interest-bearing checking accounts these days is a joke. The average rate is a measly 0.05 percent, according to the latest report from the FDIC.
Imagine if you could earn 3 or 4 percent interest on a “free” checking account – with no minimum balance requirement, no monthly fees and free transactions at any ATM in the country?
It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not.
The Kasasa checking account (pronounced kah-sah-suh) offered by dozens of community banks and credit unions across the country is for real. Right now, 29 of these institutions are paying 3 to 4 percent APY to those who qualify.
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Forbes
Where Are All The Big Software Industry Acquisitions?
January 4, 2013
“…according to new data from Berkery Noyes Investment Bankers, the number of M&A transactions in the software sector rose just 1%, to 1,529 deals. The total transaction volume fell 18% to $66.6 billion, from $80.8 billion. Of the total, 228 deals were led by financial buyers, with an aggregate value of $19.02 billion.”
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PLANSPONSOR
403(b):Forward Thinking
January 1, 2013
“Plan sponsors are relying on providers to offer financial literacy programs as a value-add, says Jim Kiley, eastern divisional sales manager for the education market at Security Benefit.”
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Credit Union Times
“How Will White House Shift Impact Dodd-Frank?”
November 14, 2012
“Andy Greenawalt, CEO of the New Haven, Conn.-based bank compliance software firm Continuity Control, said regulation isn’t partisan, it’s cyclical. The low point in the cycle is 100 new regulations per year and the high point is 300.”
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WSJ: Market Watch
“Liz Duke’s plan may save U.S. banks
Commentary: Fed governor calls for separate rules for small banks”
November 9, 2012
“One-fourth of all small banks are spending roughly $1.12 for every dollar they earn, according to Continuity Control, a bank consulting firm based in New Haven, Conn.”
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The Street
“How to Find the Perfect Checking Account: Think Small”
November 5, 2012
“According to Kasasa, 92% like the service they get at credit unions and local and regional banks, compared with 69% of consumers who are happy with the service at ‘megabanks.’ ”
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Bankrate.com
“5 big trends in small banking”
November 2, 2012
“This week I spoke with BancVue CEO Gabe Krajicek about his thoughts on the future of community banking and what those smaller banks need to do to compete. Here are 5 big take-aways.”
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Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
“What to Look for in a Checking Account”
October 12, 2012
“Kasasa’s free checking accounts offered by community banks and credit unions have a base interest rate that customers automatically receive without having to meet a balance requirement.”
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Independent Banker
“Control Freak-Issues in documenting and communicating regulatory risk management controls”
August 29, 2012
“While most banks have sufficient regulatory and compliance controls in place, many have found communicating and documenting those controls to the satisfaction of their examiners a challenge. Here, Andy Greenawalt, with Continuity Control, a compliance software provider, answers questions on how community banks can more fully report their risk management controls to examiners.”
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Fox Business
“Community Banks Offer Free Gas to Lure New Customers”
August 15, 2012
“Farmers Citizens Bank CEO Coleman Clougherty on the bank’s free gas offer to lure customers to the community bank from the bigger banks. Neil Cavuto’s in-studio interview with Coleman aired on FOX Business.”
No link available.
The Huffington Post
“Community Banks Set To Give Away Free Gas To Attract New Customers”
August 14, 2012
“Next to offering an open bar night, free gas may be the next best way to soften up potential new customers. That is the strategy community banks and credit unions are using this week to attract new customers, with the promise they will also help you switch from your big corporate bank.”
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ABA Banking Journal
“Technology Seeks to Trump Dodd/Frank”
August 14, 2012
“Continuity Control, a financial technology company, estimates that as many as 2,000 banks will fail in the next few years directly because of regulatory burden.”
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American Banker
“Community Bank Group to Provide Free Gas”
August 9, 2012
” ‘Gas is a metaphor for giving something back when you don’t expect it,’ says Gabe Krajicek, BancVue’s chief executive. ‘We want people to anchor in their brain that Kasasa gives you unexpected benefits.’ ”
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Credit Union Times
“BancVue’s Kasasa Hits Milestone”
July 31, 2012
“On the eve a national roll out of its Kasasa branded checking accounts, BancVue reported that the accounts have brought $55 million to over 306,000 account holders at credit unions and community banks nationwide.”
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The Financial Brand
“Community Banking Execs Gather To Plot Strategies Against Megabanks”
July 26, 2012
“Over 350 community bank and credit union executives from across the country gathered for Bancvue’s first ‘Kasasa Family Reunion’ to strategize around how to take back market share from the megabanks.”
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Wall Street Journal
“Who Wants to Start a Bank? No One”
July 5, 2012
” ‘These are small businesses,’ says Andrew Greenwalt, chief executive of Continuity Control, a bank-compliance consulting firm in New Haven, Conn. ‘You get inside of them, and it’s a dozen or half dozen or potentially two or three people” who run the bank.’ ”
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Investment News
“Ratings upgrade a real benefit to Security Benefit, says insurer’s boss”
May 23, 2012
“Now that Security Benefit Life Insurance Co.’s ratings have been bumped into the A range, chief executive Michael Kiley hopes to get more banks and broker-dealers selling the insurer’s annuities.”
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CNN Money
“Checking accounts with the biggest payoffs”
May 23, 2012
“Hundreds of small community banks have joined forces to offer these kinds of high-yield checking accounts under the national brand name Kasasa to their customers.”
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Boulder County Business Report
“CEOs: Future bright for clean tech”
May 15, 2012
“The BCBR’s CEO Roundtable is sponsored by accounting firm EKS&H and law firm Berg Hill Greenleaf & Russcitti.”
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Boulder County Business Report
“Biotech Building Draws Fresh Funding”
April 27, 2012
“The roundtable was organized by the Boulder County Business Report and sponsored by law firm Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti and the accounting firm EKS&H PC.”
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Aspen Daily News
“Pitkin County protests ‘lenient’ penalty in gas bid-rigging case”
April 25, 2012
“The county has retained Iatridis’ firm — Berg, Hill, Greenleaf and Ruscitti LLP — to assist with oil and gas issues.”
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BenefitsLink.com
“Security Benefit Partners With fi360”
April 24, 2012
“Security Benefit Corporation, a leading provider of retirement savings and income vehicles throughout the nation, today announced it has formed a partnership with fi360, the premier organization for fiduciary education, investment analytics, support services, and industry insights for financial professionals.”
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Daily Camera
“Volunteers plan trees in area scorched by Fourmile Fire”
April 21, 2012
“Rhodes and fellow project organizer Maki Iatridis — both of whom are attorneys at Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP — partnered with Boulder County Parks and Open Space for this project.”
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The Topeka Capital Journal
“SBC Unveils Redesigned Website”
April 1, 2012
“Security Benefit Corp. recently launched its upgraded and redesigned website at www.securitybenefit.com.”
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Boulder County Business Report
“Customer buy-in key to energy efforts”
March 21, 2012
“Once prices drop, electric car sales are expected to go up, Ridenour said at the Boulder County Business Report’s CEO Roundtable on Smart Grids & Alternative Transportation Wednesday morning at the law firm of Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP in Boulder.”
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Fox Business
“Saving for Tuition vs. Retirement: Which is More Important?”
March 13, 2012
“ ‘In a perfect world, you’d like to move forward on two fronts, and while there are plenty of difficult decisions around investing a limited amount of money, this isn’t one of them,’ says Michael Kiley, CEO of Security Benefit. ‘When it comes to saving for your child’s education or saving for your own retirement, you have to put the kids second.’ ”
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Financial Advisor
“Plan Sponsors Getting Big Fines from DOL”
February 22, 2012
“In the past few years, the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has redoubled its efforts to promote compliance among plan sponsors. In fiscal 2010, the EBSA collected $1.05 billion in plan restorations, fines and penalties from retirement plans, according to a newsletter published last year by Columbia Management Investment Advisors LLC.”
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Boulder County Business Report
“Bankers talk growth at CEO Roundtable”
February 22, 2012
“That was the word from area bankers who spoke Wednesday morning at the Boulder County Business Report’s CEO Roundtable on banking at the law offices of Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP in Boulder.”
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CNN Money
“Community Banks Team Up To Fight The Magabanks”
February 17, 2012
“Once rivals, these smaller financial institutions have banded together under a common brand called Kasasa.”
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Law Week Colorado
“Growing Again”
February 9, 2012
“GROWING AGAIN: Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti recently announced the creation of an appellate practice group. The group, headed up by partner Heidi Potter, will focus on navigating state and federal appellate processes. Also in the group are Josh Marks, also a partner at the firm; special counsel Melanie Lewis; and associate Rudy Verner.”
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Law Week Colorado
“Berg Hill Greenleaf and Ruscitti Creates Appellate Group”
February 9, 2012
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti recently announced the creation of an appellate practice group.The group, headed up by partner Heidi Potter, will focus on navigating state and federal appellate processes. Also in the group are Josh Marks, also a partner at the firm; special counsel Melanie Lewis; and associate Rudy Verner. ”
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The Denver Post
“BHGR Leverages In-House Talent to Build Out Appellate Practice Group”
February 7, 2012
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR) is announcing the formation of an Appellate Practice Group to assist clients and attorneys in the successful navigation of the Colorado appeals process.”
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Wall Street Journal
“PE-Backed Media Companies Embrace The Digital Age”
February 6, 2012
“Deal volume in the media and marketing industry increased by 17% from 2010 to 2011, with a 47% increase in total transaction value, according to an M&A trend report done by investment bank Berkery Noyes & Co.”
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Wall Street Journal (LBO Wire)
“Buyout Firms Saw An Uptick In Media Deals For 2011, Report Says”
February 6, 2012
“Strategic buyers have a tremendous amount of cash and they’re using that to facilitate growth,” said Berkery Managing Director Evan Klein.”
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Morning Star
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti Add Two to Legal Team”
February 3, 2012
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR) has announced that attorney Michael Arnold has rejoined the firm as an associate and Lauren Roberts has joined the firm as an associate.”
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Fox Business
“Retirement Planning in Your 20s: A Must Do”
February 2, 2012
“For young adults in their 20s, retirement seems light years away. And for many, they aren’t in the financial position to sock away a good portion of their paycheck for something that doesn’t occur for at least three decades. Incomes are low, debts tend to be high.”
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The Denver Post
“White Paper From Drinker Biddle Considers Risk Mitigation Approach to 401(k) Plan Design “
January 25, 2012
“New products introduced over the last week include a new fiduciary 401(k) product from Security Benefit and Mesirow Financial and a relaunch of a China ETF from Global X.”
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Boulder County Business Report
“Roundtable: 2012 outlook bright ”
January 24, 2012
“The economic recovery appears to be gaining traction, both locally and nationally, and more companies are looking to invest, according to local experts at the Boulder County Business Report’s CEO roundtable on Tuesday.”
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MarketWatch
“Security Benefit Offers a Dozen Specific Tips to Help Prepare for Retirement”
January 17, 2012
“Security Benefit senior vice president Kevin Watt said that with Mesirow Financial at the table, they will offer a platform that removes questions about fiduciary responsibility regarding investment management responsibilities for a plan’s investments.”
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Financial Times
“Specific Tips to Help Prepare for Retirement”
January 17, 2012
“Security Benefit, a Guggenheim Partners Company, has formed a collaboration with Mesirow Financial to launch a new 401k product, named SecurePoint Retirement, with fiduciary protection.”
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Fox Business
“Retirement Planning in Your 20s: A Must Do”
December 16, 2011
“For young adults in their 20s, retirement seems light years away. And for many, they aren’t in the financial position to sock away a good portion of their paycheck for something that doesn’t occur for at least three decades. Incomes are low, debts tend to be high.”
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Morning Star
“Ultra Exclusive Offering From Security Benefit Promises Consumer Benefits”
December 15, 2011
“Security Benefit Corp. is partnering with Mesirow Financial to launch a new 401(k) product with fiduciary protection.”
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CNBC
“Shareholders of TYW Approve Reorganization into Open-End Fund”
November 23, 2011
“Today, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC announced that the shareholders of TS&W / Claymore Tax-Advantaged Balanced Fund a diversified closed-end management investment company (NYSE: TYW or the “Fund”), have approved a reorganization into an open-end fund, Rydex | SGI Municipal Income Fund.”
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Planadviser
“Security Benefit Partners with Mesirow on Fiduciary Services”
November 15, 2011
“Under the agreement, Mesirow Financial’s Investment Strategies department will select, monitor and report on investments available inside select Security Benefit products. In addition, the firm automatically replaces investments that do not meet its rigorous standards.”
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AdvisorOne
“Top Portfolio Products: Fidelity Launches Two Funds; Highland Premieres One”
November 13, 2011
“New products introduced over the last week include two emerging markets funds from Fidelity and a dividend equity fund from Highland Funds. In addition, the Adams Express Company met its annual distribution commitment and Security Benefit launched a new fixed annuity.”
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Yahoo! Finance
“Veteran Sales Executive Joins Security Benefit Management Team”
November 9, 2011
“Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced that Michael Reidy has accepted the position of National Sales Manager for the firm.”
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On Wall Street
“Rydex SGI’s Abernathy Talks Up Alternatives”
November 3, 2011
“Alternative investment strategies are relatively new. But they’ve already achieved broad acceptance within the investment world, Jerome Abernathy of Rydex SGI told a packed gathering at the Schwab Impact conference in here on Wednesday.”
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MorningStar
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti Celebrates Tenth Anniversary”
November 2, 2011
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR), one of the Boulder/Denver region’s premier local law firms, today marked its 10-year anniversary serving Boulder, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain region.”
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Yahoo! Finance
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti Celebrates Tenth Anniversary”
November 2, 2011
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR), one of the Boulder/Denver region’s premier local law firms, today marked its 10-year anniversary serving Boulder, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain region.”
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MarketWatch
“Security Benefit® Sire Takes Sharper Aim at Retirement Plan Stakeholders”
November 2, 2011
“Security Benefit Corporation, a Guggenheim Partners Company, today announced the launch of its upgraded securityretirement.com website. The firm, which principally provides retirement accumulation and income solutions through independent financial representatives, re-tooled securityretirement.com based on feedback from the site’s users. Kansas-based Security Benefit provides retirement plan services for more than 135,000 accounts throughout the nation.”
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Planadviser
“Security Benefit Introduces Total Interest Annuity”
October 26, 2011
“Issued by the Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL), the Total Interest Annuity can be funded with contributions up to $16,500 annually or with IRA contributions or rollovers. The initial guaranteed crediting rate, which Security Benefit expects to be highly competitive, will be reset after 12 months and every year thereafter.”
AdvisorOne
“Guggenheim Absorbs Rydex”
October 26, 2011
“Guggenheim Partners is folding rydex SGI into its ETF asset management group. Combined together, the firm will have approximately $119 billion under management.”
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Seeking Alpha
“Spotlight on Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF”
October 25, 2011
“Since inception this fund has outpaced the market-weighted S&P 500. Equal-weighting’s boosters claim the strategy beats the market by eliminating market-weighting’s growth bias. However, researchers have found that equal-weighting has generated almost all its excess return by tilting to mid-cap stocks and a tiny bit to value stocks.”
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The Denver Post
“Rudy Verner Joins Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti”
October 7, 2011
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR), Boulder County’s largest local law firm, has announced that attorney Rudy Verner has joined the firm as an Associate.”
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TheStreet.com
“On Center Software to Provide Upgraded Armstrong Data In Quick Bid Product”
October 4, 2011
“On Center Software, the first name in construction software, today announced the firm’s Quick Bid software will be including upgraded Armstrong Commercial Ceilings product and pricing data.”
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Pensions & Investments
“Guggenheim Partners acquires ETF manager Rydex/SGI”
September 22, 2011
“Guggenheim Partners acquired Rydex/SGI and will combine the exchange-traded fund manager and its existing asset management businesses into a single unit, Guggenheim Investments, confirmed Jeaneen Pisarra, a Guggenheim Investments spokeswoman.”
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ETF Trends
“ETF Spotlight: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (FXA)”
September 20, 2011
“The CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust tries to track the price movement of the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar.”
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Wall Street Journal
“Decoding the Stock Market’s Mixed Signals”
September 16, 2011
“One way to get exposure to the cheap end of the market is with an exchange-traded fund like the Rydex S&P 500 Pure Value ETF. It’s based on an index of stocks that are priced low relative to book value, cash flow, sales and dividends. They also tend to be priced low relative to earnings.”
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AdvisorOne
“How Advisors Are Using ETFs for Clients, and Why They Plan to Use Them More”
September 8, 2011
“According to the Rydex|SGI AdvisorBenchmaking survey conducted this spring, the popularity of ETFs is being driven by a variety of factors. Among the key benefits is affordability, as ETFs provide relatively cost-effective market exposure compared with actively managed mutual funds or even index mutual funds.”
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Forbes
“Investors Buy Into An Equal Weight Approach To The S&P 500″
September 2, 2011
“Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (AMEX: RSP) where we have detected an approximate $42.8 million dollar inflow.”
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Denver Business Journal
“BHGR Welcomes Attorney Becky Rigo as New Associate”
September 1, 2011
“Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti LLP (BHGR), Boulder County’s largest local law firm, has announced that Becky Rigo has joined the firm as an associate. ”
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Barron’s
“QE3 or Not, Stocks Rebound Nearly 5%”
August 27, 2011
“The S&P’s dividend yield recently matched that of U.S. 10-year Treasuries, when the norm since 1981 has been for Treasuries to pay a yield 2.7 times richer, notes Ned Davis Research. On the other hand, readings among investment advisors haven’t yet reached the extreme pessimism seen at a selling climax. And assets in Rydex bull funds still amounted to 55.6% of all funds—compared to 50.5% or lower at market bottoms.”
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Seeking Alpha
“Jim Cramer’s 5 Stock Picks That Are As Solid As a Tank “
August 9, 2011
“Tom Russo, Cliff Asness, David Dreman, and D.E. Shaw are among MO investors. We have been urging investors to consider high dividend stocks since the beginning of this year. We believe these stocks are now much better investments than 10-year treasury bonds that yield 2.32%.”
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Forbes
“Here’s What Investment Companies Don’t Want you To See”
July 27, 2011
” ‘People who see investment expenses broken out like this can switch to cheaper investments or make sure there are cheaper options included in the plan,’ says Tom Gonnella, senior vice president at Lincoln Trust. ‘They at least ask the right questions.’ ”
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The New York Times
“Lincoln Trust’s Enhanced View of Retirement Plan Costs”
July 25, 2011
“Lincoln Trust Company, a Denver-based provider of retirement and profit-sharing plans, is offering a way for companies who offer its 401(k) plans.. a better idea of just how much they are paying in fees and expenses and how their plan compares with similar offerings.”
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Financial Planning
“Lincoln Trust Offers All-In 401(k) Fee Calculation”
July 14, 2011
“Lincoln Trust Company has introduced the Personalized Expense Ratio for the 401(k) plans that it administers. The ratio is designed for participants, plan sponsors and advisers to see the actual cost of their plans without having to perform calculations themselves.”
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International Business Times
“The M&A Year so Far: Google Gobbled More Companies, but Microsoft Took the Biggest Bite”
July 12, 2011
“The Berkery Noyes 2011 Half Year Trends Report lists all of the notable purchases by tech companies in the first half of the year.”
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Search Engine Watch
“Google Acquired 11 Companies in 2011, Microsoft Made Biggest Transaction”
July 11, 2011
“Berkery Noyes, which has claimed the title of “leading independent investment bank specializing in the information content and technology industries,” examined the merger and acquisition trends for the first half of 2011.”
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The Street
“New and Free High Tech Money Tools”
July 1, 2011
“Technology improves at a dizzying – and expensive – pace. But not all tech costs money. Some of the latest web apps can save you some.”
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Forbes
“Sector Fund Investing: 6 Rules To Live And Trade By”
June 30, 2011
“Many investors like to be invested in the leading sector and specialty funds and exchange-traded funds, but the hair-raising volatility of these funds can make it difficult for investors to stick with their investment strategy. Although the goal of all equity investors is to sell their investments for more than they paid for them, many investors end up selling their funds or ETFs when they start to drop, only to buy back after they’ve rallied. This is clearly not a recipe for success.”
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Forbes
“Bernanke’s Last Stand”
June 29, 2011
“As I watch the economy limp along and I become exasperated by the impotence of the Fed, the Obama Administration and the private sector in their attempts to boost employment, I am reminded of the old Indian fighters of the last century. They were stuck in a time warp fighting yesteryear’s battle long after most of the native tribes had been decimated.”
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Forbes
“Don’t Get Caught Flat Footed: Oil And Gas Opportunities Abound”
June 29, 2011
“We’re seeing the first real significant decline in the market since it started to rally in early March of 2009, and a lot of people have been caught flat footed by it. There has been, of course, a fair amount of mediocre economic news that has led to the market weakness.”
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Smart Money
“Finally, A Break for Savers”
June 28, 2011
“Deposits in so-called “rewards” checking programs offered by these mostly smaller banks and other financial institutions swelled to nearly $18 billion in June, a rise of 5.3% from $17.1 at the end of last year and up from just $100 million in 2005, according to BancVue.com, a retail banking provider for community financial institutions.”
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U.S. News & World Report
“4 Unusual Places to Stash Retirement Funds”
June 24, 2011
“In today’s economy, would you accept a 3 percent interest rate on deposited funds that are 100 percent liquid and FDIC insured? These accounts exist and are easy to find if you are willing to do a little work online. Two good places to start are checkingfinder.com and depositaccounts.com.”
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Barron’s
“Equal-Weighted Small-Cap ETF Holding Up Better In Downturn”
June 24, 2011
“While small-cap focused ETFs like the iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) stumbled on Friday, an alternative rival which seeks to provide total equality to all stocks soared. The Rydex Russell 2000 Equal Weight ETF (EWRS) closed up 1.8%. Meanwhile, IWM fell 0.5% on the day. The young gun has lost less than its traditional market-cap sized competitor over the past week, month and three months. But it trails IWM by about half a percentage point for the year. It’s also very lightly traded.”
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Smart Money
“Index Funds That Do What They Should”
June 23, 2011
“John Bogle insists he’s not angry. But let us clarify: The 82-year-old financial guru and legendary founder of the Vanguard Group is “not angry” in the same way, perhaps, that a headmaster is not angry when his star pupil is caught cheating on an exam: “I’m not angry,” says Bogle. “I’m disappointed.” Oh — we get it.”
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The Street
“Top 10 U.S. Large-Cap Sector ETFs”
June 22, 2011
“This posting features a comprehensive review of the large-cap ETF sector. To simplify matters for investors, and to be consistent with previous practices, we’ve highlighted what we feel are the top 10 choices in this category. Doing so makes sorting through the sector more manageable for most investors.”
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ETF Trends
“ETF Spotlight: CurrencyShares Swiss Franc (FXF)”
June 22, 2011
“ETF Spotlight on Rydex CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust (NYSEArca: FXF), part of an ongoing series. Assets: $820.8 million. Objective: CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust tries to reflect the price movements of the Swiss Franc against the U.S. dollar.”
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Seeking Alpha
“Healthcare ETFs: Still the Best Low-Risk, Reasonable-Reward Assets?”
June 21, 2011
“Over the last six months, no sector investment racked up more gains than healthcare. The iShares Health Care Providers Fund (IHF) amassed 21.5%. Rydex Equal Weight Health (RYH) proffered 14.6%. And SPDR S&P Biotech (XBI) promised 12.7%, even as the broader S&P 500 SPDR Trust (SPY) chimed in with a less sonic 4.7%.”
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lass=”newstitle”>Investors.com
“Top Foreign ETF Picks For The Second Half Of 2011″
June 21, 2011
“With the European debt crisis deepening and inflation troubling emerging markets, what’s in store for foreign markets for the rest of 2011? We asked some experts to share their outlook and best ETF ideas.”
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ETF Daily News
“How To Profit From The Fall of Greece (FXE, UUP)”
June 17, 2011
“First off, I should point out that I do not relish the destruction of Greece. I predict that the fallout from Greek sovereign debt issues will bleed into the lives of regular people who have done nothing wrong except to (perhaps foolishly) place faith in their government and its ridiculous currency.”
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Seeking Alpha
“15 High Dividend Financials With Consistent Dividend Growth”
June 16, 2011
“High dividend yielding stocks are appealing to defensive investors in especially inflationary environments. We expect defensive stocks with high dividend yields to outperform the 10-year Treasuries over the next 10 years.”
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Fox Business
“Nine Ways to Teach Your Kids to Save”
June 16, 2011
“When deciding on the best savings account for your child, don’t necessarily assume it’s at your bank. Look for a financial institution that accepts a low minimum deposit, waives fees for children’s accounts and is generally kid-friendly. You might consider one that offers an online game for kids like MoneyIsland. It targets kids 8 to 14 years and gives them basic financial facts in a fun way. This age group doesn’t always think their parents know anything so an online game could be a win-win.”
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Wall Street Journal
“Corporate Jet Set: Leisure vs. Business “
June 15, 2011
“Computer-storage giant EMC Corp. has a fleet of five jets that it says it uses for business travel across the globe. In addition, CEO Joseph Tucci is allowed “limited” personal use of the aircraft.”
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The Globe and Mail
“Lower expectations make the returns that much sweeter”
June 14, 2011
“It’s summer blockbuster time for the movie industry, the time of year when throngs of people line up to see the latest big-budget, big-hype films.”
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The Street
“Top Stocks to Buy and Hold Through 2011″
June 13, 2011
“The stock market has fallen for six straight weeks as the economy has cooled, pulling down benchmark interest rates. Yet, prices for food and gas have risen, worrying investors.”
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NASDAQ (Community)
“New Way To Play The Renminbi?”
June 13, 2011
“This month brought some exciting news for investors bullish on the Chinese renminbi, or RMB. Rydex SGI, known for its CurrencyShares funds, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a new RMB fund that will trade on the NYSE Arca, under the ticker ‘FXCH.’”
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Housing Wire
“New IAS chief eyes data opportunity in ‘unprecedented’ mortgage market”
June 9, 2011
“After spending 25 years in the industry, (Paul) Sveen will lead IAS through a tumultuous market.”
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Business Insider
“How To Tell The Difference Between Passive Investing And Tactical Asset Allocation”
May 31, 2011
“Recently we wrote a post about Tactical Asset Allocation and how tough it can be to execute effectively.”
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Financial Advisor
“Rydex, Dorsey Wright Team To Create ETF Models “
May 23, 2011
“Rydex|SGI, a provider of exchange-traded products and alternative investments, recently launched two new ETF models in conjunction with Dorsey Wright & Associates, a Richmond, Va.-based RIA noted for its technical research and analysis. ”
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ETF Database
“Emerging Market ETFs: Alternative Weighting Edition”
May 23, 2011
“Emerging markets have seen their importance to the global economy swell in recent years, as the developing markets of the world have become the primary drivers of growth not only in their home market but in advanced economies around the globe as well.”
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Commodity Online
“Jim Rogers on why gold and silver prices crashed”
May 17, 2011
“Can investing in commodities insure your money during financial crisis? The recent plunge in several commodities led by gold, silver and crude oil have turned the futures trading market volatile across the globe. And people are beginning to doubt if commodities are the best bet to insulate their investment.”
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The Street
“5 Value Stocks in an Expensive Market”
May 16, 2011
“Market participants like to try to explain directional moves in stocks. Whether up or down, there always seems to be a reason for the move. Often the reason is simply encapsulated in a major headline.”
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Financial Planning
“Equal-Weight, Pure Play Strategies Help Boost Rydex”
May 11, 2011
“Sometimes investors want balanced and pure-play strategies for investing in exchange-traded funds, and for Rydex | SGI, that is giving its investment managment business a big push.”
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The Street
“5 New Technical Setups for the Week”
May 10, 2011
“A quiet start to the week isn’t providing much in the way of guidance for traders right now — particularly after the abrupt selloff in commodities that took place last week.”
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Planadviser
“Dreman Value Management L.L.C., a contrarian value asset management company, launched the Dreman Contrarian Value Equity Fund.”
May 5, 2011
“The fund will be managed by E. Clifton “Cliff” Hoover, Jr., who last September succeeded David Dreman as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer, along with Wesley D. Wright.”
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Alpha Trade Finance
“New Mutual Fund From Dreman to Feature Firm’s Contrarian Approach”
May 5, 2011
“Dreman Value Management L.L.C., a leading contrarian value asset management company, today announced the launch of the ‘Dreman Contrarian Value Equity Fund’.”
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Forbes
“Equal Opportunity ETF Investing”
May 4, 2011
“The mother of all ETFs is State Street’s SPDR S&P 500 exchange-traded fund. Launched in 1993 during the infancy of the ETF market, today it has net assets of nearly $100 billion. Traders refer to the actively traded shares as Spiders, and their SPY ticker symbol is one of the most widely searched on finance sites. Both institutions and individuals view the SPY as a “go-to” core holding. You may already have in one of your retirement or brokerage accounts this ETF, which seeks to mimic the moves of the S&P 500.”
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The Street
“ETFs Go Where Mutual Funds Won’t”
May 2, 2011
“Most investors steer clear of more comprehensive and lower-priced exchange traded funds because they stick with what they know: mutual funds.”
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International Business Times
“Rydex Sees Big Jump In ETF Assets”
May 2, 2011
“Rydex, the pioneer in equal-weight ETFs, said assets under management (AUM) at the firm’s ETF business have crossed the $8.5 billion mark, surging from $6.2 billion in November 2010.”
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Consumer Reports
“Free Checking: How to Clear the Hurdles”
May 1, 2011
“To find high-interest checking offers, go to www.checkingfinder.com.”
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San Francisco Chronicle
“Central Asia Institute’s questionable finances”
April 30, 2011
“One of the lessons donors can learn from the uproar over “Three Cups of Tea” author Greg Mortenson is that a nonprofit needs more than three members on its board, especially when it is led by a charismatic leader who might have trouble separating personal business from the organization’s business.”
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Bloomberg Businessweek
“Nuclear Future Is Now Because That’s Where Profit Is for Exelon: Real M&A”
April 28, 2011
“Exelon Corp. (EXC) is trying to pull off its largest takeover by acquiring more nuclear power plants — less than two months after the industry’s worst disaster since Chernobyl.”
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Money Management Executive
“Schwab Promotes Charitable Donations to Reduce Taxes”
April 27, 2011
“With the effects of the tax filing deadline still fresh in investors’ minds, Charles Schwab is encouraging them to plan ahead for their charitable donations through the end of the year in order to reduce their 2011 taxes.”
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FOX Business
“Is Diversification Dead?”
April 27, 2011
“For years, financial advisers have preached the wisdom of a diversified portfolio, weighted between stocks and bonds according to age and risk appetite. But after experiencing the 2008-2009 financial crisis, when nearly all financial markets fell in unison, some investors question that notion.”
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Wall Street Journal
“Commodity Bets Draw Debate”
April 26, 2011
“The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is moving to increase oversight of the growing number of mutual funds that make speculative bets on gold, oil and other commodities and currencies through offshore subsidiaries.”
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Business Wire
“Take the Bite out of 2011 Taxes”
April 26, 2011
“With the effects of the tax filing deadline still fresh, Schwab Charitable suggests that now is an excellent time for investors and their financial advisors to begin planning ahead to reduce their taxes for 2011 while also providing maximum benefits to their favorite charities.”
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Fortune
“The unsinkable bond market”
April 19, 2011
“Bondholders are doomed, we keep hearing. Pimco’s Bill Gross last fall promised a Treasury market turkey shoot – and that was before the government declared a profligate payroll tax holiday and the political parties presented irreconcilable deficit-cutting plans.”
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Forbes
“Five Bargain-Priced Stocks To Buy”
April 19, 2011
“With stocks up some 90%+ since their March 2009 lows, a big question on investors’ minds is whether the market has become overvalued. Depending on whom you ask, you can get all sorts of different answers.”
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Investment News
“How tax changes are boosting gift fund donations”
April 17, 2011
“The tax deal reached in December by congressional leaders and the Obama administration is fueling a boost in donations into donor-advised funds.”
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The Street
“Bank of America Still a Favorite of Fund Managers”
April 15, 2011
“Bank of America’s first-quarter earnings results fell short of analysts’ estimates due to mortgage woes. Investment managers aren’t giving up on the U.S. bank stock yet.”
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Reuters
“Oil slumps on growth worries; stocks drop”
April 12, 2011
“Oil prices suffered their biggest two-day loss in 11 months and stocks dropped on Tuesday on concerns about the strength of global growth and as Goldman Sachs warned crude was set for a pullback.”
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CNBC
David Dreman Interview on Squawk Masters
April 11, 2011
USA Today
“Looking for a good hedging strategy? Try cash”
April 8, 2011
“Given our chaotic times, you may be wondering how to protect your investments against some sudden, unforeseen event: a stock market meltdown, a crisis in the banking system or an invasion of Venusian brain garglers.”
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Seeking Alpha
“Wayne Gretzky on Value Investing”
April 6, 2011
“Wayne Gretzky was once asked why he thought he was such a great hockey player. He replied, ‘I skate to where the puck is going to be.’ As the first quarter of 2011 ends, this seems like a very good time to look at where the puck is and hypothesize about where it is going to be.”
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Registered Rep
“Clients Turning To Wealth Managers For Philanthropy Advice”
April 5, 2011
“Wealth managers don’t have to be experts when it comes to philanthropy, but they do need to be empathetic and knowledgeable about charitable giving, according to according to industry leaders who will be addressing the annual conference of the International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy in suburban Chicago later this month.”
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AdvisorOne
“Boomers Focused on Preserving Savings, Charitable Giving: Schwab Survey”
March 18, 2011
“Charitable giving and budgeting are top priorities among American adults aged 50 or older, according to Charles Schwab’s latest quarterly retirement pulse survey released Thursday.”
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Financial Advisor
“Boomers Focused on Savings and Givings”
March 17, 2011
“Baby boomers rank preserving their savings and charitable giving as their highest priorities, according to a Charles Schwab survey.”
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Fast Company
“The 10 Most Innovative Companies in Finance”
March 14, 2011
“BancVue partners with indie financials to help them offer perks such as rewards checking, ATM-fee reimbursements, up to 4.5% APY savings accounts, online banking, proprietary credit cards and high-impact marketing campaigns. On average, its rewards-checking partners increase new-account openings by 30%–meaning that business is booming for the banks and for BancVue, whose revenues doubled last year to $80 million.”
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AdvisorOne
“Call for Nominations for AdvisorOne’s 50 Top Women in Wealth”
March 4, 2011
“The 50 Top Women in Wealth honors the women who have the most influence on wealth management today, profiling a selection of them in multiple media on AdvisorOne.com and in print in Investment Advisor and Research magazines.”
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peHUB
“Berkery’s Shea Bullish on Information Sector Multiples”
February 22, 2011
“Private equity is hot, hot, hot for companies in the information sector. That’s according to John Shea, COO of Berkery Noyes, a New York investment bank which advises on and tracks deals in the information sector.”
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DS News
“Integrated Asset Services Names New COO”
February 11, 2011
“Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS), a Denver-based provider of default management services and residential collateral valuations, has named John Burnett COO.”
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Housing Wire
“Integrated Asset Services hires new COO”
February 10, 2011
“John Burnett joined default management and collateral valuation company Integrated Asset Services as chief operating officer.”
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Publishing Executive
“What Recent M&A Trends Mean to the Industry”
February 3, 2011
“A 2010 M&A trends report from investment banking firm Berkery Noyes finds media industry transaction volume on the rise (up 27 percent) even as total transaction values fell 35 percent in 2010 compared to the year before, from $37 billion to $24 billion.”
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Financial Adviser Magazine
“Donor-Advised Funds Grow at Charitable Clip”
January 21, 2011
“Donor-advised funds are coming up more often in financial adviser Timothy Parker’s discussion with clients about charitable giving. It isn’t as popular a strategy as simply giving appreciated stock, says Parker of Midland Park, N.J. But he says he often likes to recommend donor-advised funds because of their flexibility.”
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CNBC
“New ETFs and Your Money”
January 21, 2011
“Inside the world of equal-weight ETFs, with Rich Goldman, Rydex SGI CEO, and CNBC’s Bob Pisani.
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Registered Rep Magazine
“Record Generosity at Schwab, Fidelity Giving Accounts”
January 18, 2011
“Double-digit market returns in 2010 helped boost Americans’ charitable spirit, with top donor advised funds reporting new records in charitable contributions, industry executives report. Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, the nation’s largest donor advised fund program with $5.4 billion in assets, said donors directed that a record $1.2 billion be sent to not-for-profit groups last year. Incoming contributions to the Fidelity program exceeded $1.6 billion last year, up 42 percent from 2009.”
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Forbes
“QE2: Another Fed Backfire? Capitalize on the Monetary Folly”
January 17, 2011
“Big Ben has done it again, but what he’s done he didn’t mean to do. QE2 is the moniker affixed to the Fed’s second round of quantitative easing, a salvo to jump-start the economy and stave off deflation. Last month the Fed, in a bit of monetary magicianship, began buying the first of what will total at least $600 billion in U.S. Treasury securities by next summer. Ben Bernanke said he wants to keep interest rates low to nurse the nascent recovery into something robust and self-sustaining.”
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Waxahachie Daily Light
“Free Checking with iTunes Benefits”
January 16, 2011
“Neighborhood Credit Union launches new Kasasa checking program.”
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Yahoo! Finance
“Investments Perform Better Than Investors”
January 12, 2011
“As we look ahead to how 2011 will play out, the bears and bulls are busily voicing their opinions. But it seems that passive investors not only have the lowest expenses, they also have the best metaphors — or maybe it’s just Jack Bogle.”
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Mortgage Technology
“The Technology Pickup”
January 1, 2011
“ ‘Deals like this serve as confirmation for others considering similar acquisitions,’ said John Guzzo, managing director at New York City-based investment bank Berkery Noyes. ‘The companies that offer validation, verification and/or valuation solutions are in high demand.’ ”
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Smart Money
“Best and Worst Investments of 2010″
December 30, 2010
” ‘Many parts of the Southeast have held up relatively well through this downturn,’ says Ryan Tomazin, the CEO of Integrated Asset Services, which tracks home price data. ‘With the exception of Florida, which still suffers from some of the same oversupply of homes that’s hurt prices in the Southwest, the region didn’t see quite as steep a boom-and-bust cycle as some other parts of the country,’ Tomazin says.”
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American Banker
“AVMs Threatened”
December 23, 2010
“Ryan Tomazin, president of Integrated Asset Services LLC in Denver, said that given these requirements, lenders may consider ‘hybrid’ models that incorporate both a licensed appraiser and an AVM for certain applications.”
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CNBC
“Mutual Funds For The Tax-Conscious Investor”
December 14, 2010
“It’s probably too late for investors to trim 2010 taxable distributions generated by their mutual funds, but switching to funds that minimize taxes could come in handy should tax rates rise in the future.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Tis the Season to Be Stupid”
December 12, 2010
“Want to do some good for the holidays? That’s great. Just make sure you do it right. With two million groups pushing for money this time of year, and most people focused on their day-to-day finances, it’s easy to goof when giving to charity.”
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Fast Company
“Inside BancVue’s Audacious Plan to Upgrade Community Banks”
December 12, 2010
“Farmers Citizens has emerged from the maze of banking options with help from BancVue, an Austin-based startup that arms indie financials with better-than-the-big-guys perks. “It’s time for [our clients] to take competition just as seriously as how nice Nancy is at the front desk,” says BancVue CEO Gabriel Krajicek.”
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Investor’s Business Daily
“Treasuries Lagged Corporates In A Stormy Nov.”
December 2, 2010
“George Strickland, who manages or co-manages six Thornburg funds, recently bought a bond issued by Denver’s bus and light rail system. Bond fund investors generally took it on the chin in November.”
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Financial Times
“Active ETF Newcomers Charting Their Own Course”
December 2, 2010
“As actively managed funds appear to be the product of choice for fund companies to jump into the ETF market, some firms are exploring
As actively managed funds appear to be the product of choice for fund companies to jump into the ETF market, some firms are exploring…”
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MSNBC
“Stern Advice: How to create your own charitable fund”
December 1, 2010
“My husband buys lottery tickets when we go on vacation. Maybe he’s thinking about staying on vacation forever, but my plan for those winnings is different — I’ve always dreamed about setting up our own family foundation.”
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Independent Banker
“Fee at last?”
December 1, 2010
“BancVue has seen instances where checking account customers are choosing rewards over interest-bearing accounts.”
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RIABiz
“Eavesdropping on SRI in the Rockies: SRI’s surprising growth, the water footprint and how the sector has changed”
November 26, 2010
“The SRI community has come a long way from its infancy in the late 80s. I started in the business in 1986 and I was at the first SRI in the Rockies conference at the Lost Valley Ranch behind Pikes Peak in Colorado in 1990. There were about 40 of us in total at that first conference—and we could all fit in one hot tub. We called it the SRI Hot Tub Index.”
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AdvisorOne
“Wright-Violich on Why and How Americans Give: The Holiday”
November 24, 2010
“The head of Schwab Charitable says ‘Privacy is a big driver for the ultra-affluent’.”
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TheStreet.com
“Donate Smartly With Donor Advised Funds”
November 19, 2010
“Kim Wright-Violich, president of Schwab Charitable, explains why donor advised funds are a smart and efficient way to give to charity.”
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AdvisorOne
“Catching up with … E. Clifton Hoover”
November 19, 2010
“David Dreman, chairman and chief investment officer of Dreman Value Management LLC, announced back in September he was passing the investment baton of his 33-year-old company to E. Clifton Hoover, who joined Dreman in 2006.”
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Forbes
“How To Give Like Mark Zuckerberg”
November 17, 2010
“Just about any valuable asset–from vintage wine to private company stock–can be turned into a charitable kitty and a tax break.”
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Bloomberg TV
Schwab Charitable’s Kim Wright-Violich Interview
November 11, 2010
“Schwab Charitable President Kim Wright-Violich discusses the outlook for charitable giving in the U.S. and the structure of Schwab Charitable, a donor-advised philanthropic fund.”
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CNBC
“Home Prices Dip in Q3″
November 9, 2010
“Home prices in Q3 fell 0.2%, according to Integrated Asset Services.”
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TheStreet.com
“Schwab IMPACT 2010: Dreman Finds International Value”
October 29, 2010
“Cliff Hoover, chief investment officer with Dreman Value Management, discusses his contrarian approach to finding international value in Vodafone and BP.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Schwab Charitable Reports Record Activity & Anticipates Strong Giving”
October 27, 2010
“Schwab Charitable, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing national donor-advised fund organizations, announced today that both contributions to and grants from its donor-advised fund will likely reach record levels in 2010.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Where’s the Foreclosure Flood?”
September 16, 2010
“One concern is that as more foreclosures come online, banks could get more aggressive about pushing through their properties, though there are few signs that is happening right now. ‘The biggest fear is that you start chasing down a market,’ says Ryan Tomazin, president of Integrated Asset Services LLC, a Denver-based company that helps banks value and sell homes.”
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Forbes
“Defining IT Differently”
August 5, 2010
“In the end, cloud computing and SaaS-based applications will transform the way that firms consume IT services and applications over the coming years. This technology is coming, and CFOs and IT leaders will be challenged sooner rather than later to explain their positions regarding its adoption. We can’t say that entering the cloud and implementing SaaS-based applications will be for every company, but will say that every company needs to take the time to do the investigation.”
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USA Today
“Estate Tax to Return in 2001, and It Could Hurt Ordinary Folks”
July 21, 2010
“But political partisanship has made compromise increasingly difficult, says Melissa Montgomery-Fitzsimmons, director of wealth planning for First Western Trust Bank in Denver, ‘Given the fact that we’re in an election year, the most likely thing to happen is that the laws will not change, and we will go back to $1 million of exemption and a 55% rate,’ she said.”
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Financial Planning Magazine
“Schwab Charitable See Surge in Contributions”
July 15, 2010
“Contributions to Schwab Charitable’s donor-advised fund for the twelve month period ended June 30th rose to over $925 million, up 92% from the previous fiscal year. At the same time, the financial crisis cut into overall charitable giving in the U.S. by 3.6%, lowering total giving dollars to $303.75 billion last year – the first decline in giving since 1987, according to Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy and GivingUSA Foundation statistics.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Mutual-Fund Firms Jumping Into ETFs Prices for Investors Could Go Down”
June 29, 2010
“The changes about to hit both the fund and ETF business were on display last week, and ordinary investors should be aware of what is coming, because it will change the landscape of the business. …Next came the news that Grail Advisors is introducing an actively managed bond ETF run by DoubleLine Capital. Bond-fund manager Jeffrey Gundlach, a keynote speaker at the Morningstar conference, established DoubleLine last year. While there are actively managed ETFs—and bond-fund manager Pacific Investment Management, or Pimco, already has plowed the ground in bonds—active competition means the ETF landscape is starting to look more like the rest of the fund world.”
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FoxBusiness
“Expanding the ETF Market”
June 24, 2010
“Grail Advisors CEO Bill Thomas on the firm’s newest partners and investor products. The new partner, Doubleline, was formed by former TCW manager Jeffrey Gundlach.”
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Forbes.com
“Schwab Charitable Shows Philanthropy Can Help Offset Taxes on Roth IRA Conversions”
June 15, 2010
“Those wishing to make larger than normal charitable gifts this year may benefit from opening a Charitable Gift Account with a donor-advised fund sponsor. Such accounts allow donors to make an irrevocable charitable contribution and receive an immediate tax deduction while spreading decisions about grant recommendations to desired charities over time.”
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Financial Adviser Magazine
“Don’t Toss That Proxy Ballot!”
June 2010
“First Affirmative Financial Network LLC, an independent RIA that supports a nationwide network of investment professionals serving socially conscious investors, has referred individuals to MoxyVote. FAFN contracts with PROXY Governance Inc. to vote all proxies, according to FAFN proxy voting guidelines, for accounts where the client has provided authorization.”
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Financial Planning Magazine
“Schwab Charitable: Where Money and Values Meet”
May 17, 2010
“Kim Wright-Violich is the woman behind the money at Schwab Charitable. Since joining the national donor-advised fund organization as its president in the spring of 2000, she has helped Schwab become one of the top 10 charities in the U.S., with over $3 billion in contributions.”
InvestmentNews
“Advisers driving for growth on the golf course”
April 25, 2010
“Lawrence Adamo, an adviser with Geneos Wealth Management Inc., which manages close to $100 million in assets, agrees. ‘They know that you want to talk about business,’ he said. Mr. Adamo plays golf with clients at least once a week and has a handicap of 16. He also said that though advisers need to understand how to play the game, they aren’t expected to be experts.”
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Research Magazine
“Fixed Income Gets Active”
April 2010
” ‘Both funds provide a kind of transparent, liquid, and low-cost exposure to the bond market that should enable investors and financial advisors to implement strategies more effectively than they could with traditional fixed income mutual funds,’ says William M. Thomas, CEO of Grail Advisors LLC.”
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Registered Rep Magazine
“The Philanthropist Next Door”
April 2010
“Advisors say some smaller family foundations are finding management is more burdensome. ‘I think people have been pulled back into their careers in ways they may not have expected,’ Wright-Violich says. ‘I’ve had conversations with executives where they thought they were in a phase of their career where they could work less, and then the market turned down, and all of a sudden they’re back to working as hard as they did when they launched their companies. They don’t have as much time to spend on their philanthropy.’ ”
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Baltimore Sun
“Active ETFs blend regular counterparts and mutual funds”
March 28, 2010
“And ETFs are transparent. They must report their holdings at the end of each day, while mutual funds might not reveal this for 30 to 60 days, says William Thomas, chief executive of Grail Advisors in San Francisco, which launched seven actively managed ETFs in the past year.”
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MSN Money
“Earn 5% With Your Debit Card”
March 25, 2010
“Rewards checking has been growing in popularity as community banks and credit unions look for ways to win customers back from big banks. ‘In 1994, 70% of deposits were with community banks, and 30% were with banks with over $10 billion in assets,’ Krajicek said. ‘Today it’s the exact opposite. It’s flip-flopped to where 70% of deposits are at the big banks.’ ”
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The New York Times
“Switch Banks? You Might Find There’s a Perk In It For You”
March 24, 2010
“So why would someone jump through all of those hoops? Banks are making a more aggressive case for switching. A number of community banks offer 3 or 4 percent interest on deposits if you’re a heavy debit card user. Search for them at checkingfinder.com.”
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ETF Database
“Handicapping The Active ETF Race”
March 18, 2010
“Grail made headlines last year with the launch of the American Beacon Large Cap Value ETF (GVT), the first actively-managed ETF to allow…”
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MSN Money
“IAS: Denver-Area Single-Family Home Prices Rise 5.6% From A Year Ago”
March 10, 2010
“The monthly “IAS360 House Price Index” report from IAS, a Denver-based default-mortgage services company, said median single-family home prices in the Denver-Aurora area rose 2.2 percent from December 2009 to January 2010, and climbed 5.6 percent between January 2009 and January 2010.”
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CNBC
February 9, 2010
“Home prices in December continued their decline down 0. 7% Month to month according to Integrated Asset Services. Prices fell everywhere, but in the south where they rose 2. 4% month to month.”
The Wall Street Journal
“Going From Mutual Fund to an ETF”
February 8, 2010
” ‘Grail is going to seek out good managers, good brands who haven’t been involved in the space before, and they’re going to facilitate these offerings,’ Mr. Lydon said. ‘They’ve set themselves apart as being a company that can work with big managers and show them the benefits of bringing their management expertise to the ETF world.’ ”
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Financial Adviser Magazine
“Shaking the Foundation”
February 1, 2010
” ‘When the market beat up the asset values in foundations, people really began to look at their cost and how much time they require,’ says Kimberly Wright-Violich, president of Schwab Charitable, the donor-advised fund sponsored by the house that Chuck built.”
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American Banker
“Grail Gets Aggressive With Active ETFs”
January 29, 2010
“William Thomas, the chief executive officer of the San Francisco money manager, said in an interview that the company plans to introduce more equity and fixed income actively managed ETFs, and is in discussions with several mutual fund companies that are interested in converting to actively managed ETFs.”
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FOX Business News Live
“Dave McCarthy, CEO of Integrated Asset Services, Speaks About Housing Prices”
January 13, 2010
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Today Show
“TODAY’s MONEY 911”
January 6, 2010
“The other place to look too, there are new checking accounts that are offering higher rates of interest. You can go to a website called checkingfinder.com. You may even be able to find a checking account that’ll pay you 3, even 4%, as long as you’re willing to use your debit card 10 times a month and bank electronically, which many people are just doing anyway.”
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Smart Money
“How to Earn 6% on Your Cash”
November 12, 2009
“Rewards account holders are twice as profitable to banks as account holders who have regular, free checking accounts, according to BancVue, an Austin, Texas-based company that helps community banks and credit unions set up rewards-checking accounts.”
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Commercial Mortgage Alert
“Startup Plans a Workout Operation”
November 6, 2009
“An investment-management firm started over the summer by former Capmark executives is seeking to set up a loan-workout operation.The strategy complements Philadelphia-based Ventras’ plan to raise up to $250 million of equity to invest in commercial MBS.”
Real Estate Finance & Investment
“Ventras Seeks Bank Advisory Assignments”
November 4, 2009
“Ventras Capital Advisors is looking to work with regional banks with troubled loan portfolios as regulators zero in. The firm is responding to an expectation that regulators are set to focus more attention on deteriorating commercial real estate loans on bank balance sheets. ‘Many of [the banks] got into [commercial real estate] when the tide was building up,’ said Greg McManus, principal. ‘They are going to need help working through these assets.’ ”
The New York Times
“Small Banks Move in As Giants Falter”
November 2, 2009
“The plan was created by BancVue, a consulting and marketing company for small banks. Its aim is to bring new high-interest, no-fee checking accounts offered by small banks and credit unions nationwide under one brand, called “Kasasa” — a name made up after BancVue conducted extensive consumer marketing tests. BancVue argues that smaller banks, by pooling their marketing resources, can attract deposits from larger institutions.”
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Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
“Earn 4% on Your Savings”
November 2009
“Even as market forces undermine the earning power of your savings, don’t let inertia add insult to injury. To find decent, supersafe yields now, you have to think outside the box. For example, you’ll find some of the highest interest rates at community banks and credit unions. (To find banks and credit unions with high-yielding accounts, visit CheckingFinder.com, and enter your zip code.)”
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MSN Money
“Better Places to Stash Your Cash”
November 2009
“You can earn as much as 5% on balances up to $25,000 (and sometimes more) at a community bank or credit union. For example, Union State Bank in Atchison, Kan., pays 5.01% on up to $25,000 in its My Rewards checking account. And you need a deposit of just $25 to open an account. (To find banks and credit unions with high-yielding accounts, visit CheckingFinder.com , and enter your ZIP code.)”
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Structured Finance News
“New Ventras Team Plans to Invest in CMBS Opportunities”
October 13, 2009
“Together with IAS, Ventras will have the ability to manage large pools of assets, value and service individual assets, and facilitate the transition of assets to stable holders. The Ventras platform will also benefit by the addition of funds led by best-in-class fund managers.”
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Private Equity Real Estate
“Capmark CMBS Team Spins-Out to Form Ventras Capital”
October 13, 2009
“Ventras will target commercial distressed real estate loans, including CMBS and whole loans, as well as residential debt, such as pools of whole loans and some RMBS. Roth warned however that the scale of opportunity in CMBS debt would not be as great as investors initially expected, with some investors facing potential losses on even high grade and AAA-level debt. You just cannot go out there and buy 2005, 2006 or 2007 debt and not worry about principal loss. There are going to be issues even at this level.”
Yahoo! Finance
“Smart Tools for Shopping, Saving, & Investing”
October 1, 2009
“If it’s a high-yield checking account you’re after, check out CheckingFinder.com, which finds banks that offer high-interest checking (around 4 percent) if the consumer agrees to follow certain requirements (such as 10 debit transactions a month, one ACH transfer, online statements, etc.) CheckingFinder.com is the brainchild of Bancvue/First ROI.
The company’s latest innovation is helping small community banks that are offering high-yield checking accounts to market them under a national brand name “Kasasa.” The company unveiled a series of commercials with the tagline ‘Do you Kasasa?’ ”
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Fast Company
“Money Changers: Eight Startups Brimming With Hope for the Financial Industry”
October 1, 2009
“In 1994, banks with less than $10 billion in assets held 70% of U.S. deposits. Today, that number has dropped to 31%, mainly, says Gabriel Krajicek of BancVue, because “community institutions lack name recognition, and consumers think they can’t deliver big innovations, such as Bank of America’s Keep the Change program.” Krajicek rolls up a set of incentives — rewards-driven checking accounts, up to 6% APY interest rate, ATM-fee reimbursements — for these banks to offer customers who actively use debit cards, e-statements, and online accounts…”
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Credit Union Journal
“CUs, Community Banks Work Together with Kasasa”
September 14, 2009
“ ‘What we heard loud and clear is that they would rather be at a community institution,’ said BancVue Chief Marketing Officer Susan Sierota. ‘[But] there is absolutely no way that a smaller credit union has the same R&D budget as a big bank so they are always going to be behind on innovative products.’ Enter Kasasa and its combined marketing and product development budgets to provide that sense of scale for the consumer. In addition to developing customized marketing campaigns for each client financial institution, the Kasasa website gives consumers the unique opportunity to choose different products, such as high interest checking and savings, a checking account that donates to charity or one that provides free iTunes downloads, from multiple providers.”
U.S. Banker
“Funny Name, Serious Payback”
September 1, 2009
“In 1994, community banks with less than $1 billion of assets held 31% of total deposits in the U.S., according to FDIC data. Today their share of the market stands at just 14%. ‘What Kasasa does is it puts everybody’s dog into the hung,’ Krajicek says. Ten banks and one credit union had begun offering Kasasa Cash through the end of August, and BancVue is hoping to recruit more through group seminars it will be hosting for many of its 620 bank and credit union clients.”
Mortgage Servicing News
“Statebridge Provides Innovative, Investor-Focused Servicing Products”
August 25, 2009
“IAS president and CEO Dave McCarthy describes Statebridge as a new category in itself that represents a “new approach to servicing” based on adaptive risk-based servicing designed to optimize investor success by maximizing return on performing and nonperforming loans. Furthermore, IAS says, it helps create the market for independent surveillance of mortgage securities.
Combined with the IAS valuation and REO capabilities, he said, Statebridge’s investor-focused servicing “will be the only servicing company to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for mortgage servicing that is intensely focused on the needs of investors that have grown out of this new mortgage environment.”
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National Mortgage Professional
“NDS Integrates its service operations under The National Groups”
August 13, 2009
“ ‘The combined expertise of The National Groups is an effective response to the volume of distressed borrowers under the HAMP initiative and the significant increase in foreclosed and REO properties nationwide,’ says Larry Bird, CMO for The National Groups. ‘The company represents a veritable ‘who’s who’ of professionals to support these efforts from coast to coast.’ ”
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CBS Money Watch
“Is the Recession Really Over?”
July 16, 2009
“Bank of America/Merrill Lynch published a provocative report this week declaring that the recession is over. After six quarters of negative growth it would be about time. The evidence, however, isn’t uniformly positive and suggests that the downturn still has some distance to run. Here are some of the main points on both sides.
There were even some good signs about housing. By one measure, U.S. house prices increased 1.6 percent in May, which is a positive development, even though that level is still down 10.5 percent compared to last year. Even in the south, the hardest hit by the housing crisis, prices rose 1.1 percent, according to Integrated Asset Services.”
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Credit Union Times
“NMTW Wants Members to Say ‘Super-Size Me’ ”
June 17, 2009
“ ‘Some relationships can lead in unhealthy directions without us even realizing it. The sad thing is, once it’s over you realize you should have packed up and left months ago,’ said Gabe Krajicek, CEO of BancVue, the company that sponsored the research. ‘Unfortunately in the case of banking relationships, people don’t believe that there is a financial institution that can offer them what they really want–great products and great service–leading to paralysis.’ ”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Housing Inventory Drops Again in May”
June 9, 2009
“Integrated Asset Services LLC, Denver, reported Tuesday that its national house price index in April was unchanged from a month earlier and down 13% from April 2008. A recent uptick in mortgage interest rates is likely to deter some potential buyers.”
Mortgage Banking Magazine
“IAS Launches Property Analytics Solution”
May 29, 2009
“Denver-based Integrated Asset Services LLC (IAS), a default-management and residential collateral valuation company, has unveiled its new Conditioned Valuation Model[TM] (CVM), a cost-effective integration of automated transparent property analytics with human observation, according to the company.
‘The market has suffered by blind reliance on tranditional AVMs. Today’s market requires transparency and innovation in the approach to valuations, including the integration of human observation,’ said Ric Miles, chief executive officer of IntelliReal. ‘With a 14-year track record of delivering quality valuations and services nationwide, IAS is ideally positioned to deliver this new type of integrated solution.’ ”
DS News
“IAS Applies Distressed Methodology to Automated Valuations”
May 25, 2009
“Denver, Colorado-based Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS), a provider of mortgage default management services and residential collateral valuation, has added a “distressed” appraisal feature to its iValue suite of automated valuation products.
Ric Miles, CEO of IntelliReal, IAS’s technology partner, added, ‘An intelligent AVM is able to recognize a distressed property state, quantify the price pressure on a given market, and value each asset accordingly. Identifying the distressed value of a property within its local market will give servicers and mortgage traders the ability to more proactively strategize and manage portfolio risk.’ ”
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HousingWire
“IAS Touts Updated AVM, Consideration of ‘Distress’”
May 20, 2009
” ‘Financial institutions and mortgage servicers need a fast and affordable way to review their portfolios and make decisions for each individual loan,’ says Dave McCarthy, president and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. ‘The distressed valuation feature is a way to individualize the value of each property according to the state of the local market and the property-specific factors that may negatively impact value.’ ”
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BusinessWeek
“Trading Places”
May 2009
“The number crunchers at Integrated Asset Services released data today showing U.S. house prices have now fallen 14.4% on a year-over-year basis and 17.9 % since the height of the real estate bubble in 2006.
“We have seen no indication of a positive turn in the housing markets we track, if anything the rate of decline in some areas has increased,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services.”
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Hedge Funds Review
“Valuation Service for Mortgage Industry Offered”
March 27, 2009
“Integrated Asset Services, a provider of default management and residential collateral valuation, has unveiled a conditional valuation model (CVM), a cost-effective integration of automated transparent property analytics with human observation.
“Traditionally, the industry has had the choice of a more expensive human-based solution or faster and riskier automated solutions. But the current mortgage industry requires these two valuation approaches interact intelligently and at the right price point,” said Dave McCarthy, CEO of Integrated Asset Services.”
USA Today
“Safe CDs, Checking Accounts for Investors Scared of Stocks”
March 23, 2009
“Here’s a look at some products that provide above-average rates — along with their drawbacks.”
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Reuters
“US Home Prices Fell 3.5% in January: IAS”
March 10, 2009
“The “tailspin continues” for the U.S. housing market, IAS said in a statement. Among census regions, Midwestern homes have suffered some of the worst depreciation since September, topping the nation in January with a 4.5 percent fall, IAS said. All other census regions saw price drops of more than 3 percent.”
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American Banker
“Rich Counties’ Home Prices Sink”
March 10, 2009
“Home prices fell a staggering 3.5% nationwide in January, the worst monthly decline since the housing crisis began, according to a report scheduled for release today. “We’re seeing house prices plummet at a rapid pace throughout the country,” said Dave McCarthy, Integrated Asset Services’ president and chief executive.”
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Smart Money
“Stock Market Help”
March 1, 2009
“Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth brought environmental concerns to the masses in 2006. But many firms were already “going green,” working to create more eco-friendly systems and products. The motivator? The market, says Steve Schueth, president of First Affirmative Financial Network, a Colorado-based network of advisers.”
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MarketWatch
“What’s the catch? Community banks, credit unions offering higher deposit yields”
February 16, 2009
“Our sole mission is to give community banks and credit unions the ability to compete against big banks,” Don Shafer says. “A lot of banks need cash. This is a way to bring in cash so they can meet demand on the loan side.”
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Fox Business News
“What’s the catch? Community banks, credit unions offering higher deposit yields”
February 16, 2009
“Our sole mission is to give community banks and credit unions the ability to compete against big banks,” Don Shafer says. “A lot of banks need cash. This is a way to bring in cash so they can meet demand on the loan side.”
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U.S. News & World Report
“10 Counties Hit Hard in the Housing Bust”
February 13, 2009
“Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its IAS360™ House Price Index for December. Based on the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the index showed a 13.8% decline in house prices for the full year 2008 and an overall decline of 19.1% since the market’s peak at the end of 2006. This after December 2008 posted continued declines of 1.1%.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Signs of Life in Southwest Florida”
February 12, 2008
“Prices in Lee and Collier counties, home to Fort Myers and Naples, have dropped 44.6% and 29.3% respectively since 2006, according to a report released on Tuesday by Integrated Asset Services, a Denver default mortgage services and valuation firm.”
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Dow Jones Newswires
“Lewis: Banking on the small fry”
February 11, 2009
“What all of these banks have in common is a promotional plan by Austin, Texas, banking entrepreneur Don Shafer and a listing on his website www.checkingfinder.com.” “I want that financial network to continue to thrive,” he said. “The big companies aren’t the ones that are going to pull us out of the ditch. It’s going to be the entrepreneurs.” He hopes Americans will swear off big banks as he has — even the ones he says have offered him big money to join his program and be listed on his site.
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Reuters
“US home prices sank 13.8 percent in 2008: IAS index”
February 10, 2009
“The recession and foreclosures battered house prices in 2008, dragging down values by 13.8 percent nationally and down 19.1 percent from their 2006 peak, according to the IAS360 House Price Index from Integrated Asset Services.”
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Bloomberg
“Mortgage Rescues Fail as Price Drops Spur Defaults”
February 10, 2009
“Home prices are down 19 percent nationwide since 2006, according to Denver-based research firm Integrated Asset Services LLC. Prices have dropped by 51 percent in parts of California, the most in the U.S., and by 45 percent in some areas of Florida. Those states also lead the nation in new foreclosures, according to RealtyTrac Inc. in Irvine, California.”
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Bloomberg
“Community Banks Lure Clients with High-Yield Checking”
February 4, 2009
““We save money by getting away from the brick and mortar bank traditions and delivering those savings to customers in the form of higher yields,” Shafer said. Cost-cutting techniques such as not paying to print and mail statements and checks help the participating banks save money, said Shafer.”
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Bank Technology News
“Luring Them In”
February, 2009
“United Heritage Federal Credit Union, in Austin, Texas, has reaped benefits from BancVue’s high-interest REWARDChecking, which requires customers to receive e-statements, complete a certain number of monthly debit card transactions, and execute one or more ACH credit or debit transactions each month (the exact requirements vary slightly from bank to bank).”
“ ‘Our core processing system can’t give us the details this product can,’ Verburgt says. ‘We could hire a programmer to do it, but it’s easier to maintain a contract with BancVue, who can support the product and provide us with a monthly report with intricate details about that account. We can write our business rules based on that technology.’ ”
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Investment News
“Rough Market Smoothes Road for Active ETF’s: Grail Funds Seek to Follow Invesco’s Lead”
February 1, 2009
“On Jan. 15, Grail Advisors of San Francisco filed a registration statement for two active ETFs: the Grail American Beacon International Equity ETF and the Grail American Beacon Large Cap Value ETF.
“We’re delighted to be out in front of the investment industry with Grail Advisors,” William F. Quinn, chairman of American Beacon Advisors, said in a statement.”
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Financial Adviser Magazine
“Column: The Socially Conscious Investor”
January 1, 2009
Steve Scheuth: “Socially conscious investors are attracted to these kinds of companies of the future—companies that are working in more sustainable industries and whose executive teams have demonstrated a commitment to accountability and ethical practices.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Family Finances: Creative (and Fast) Ways to Donate”
December 28, 2008
“To ensure that everything is completed in time, contact your broker directly, since many have cutoff dates for transfers. “Brokers are particularly busy this time of year, and it’s best to be proactive to make sure your request is handled in a more timely matter,” says Kim Wright Violich, president of Schwab Charitable.”
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USA Today
“More bank customers think smaller institutions these days”
December 21, 2008
“Nationwide, these higher-interest checking accounts saw an 11.6% rise in new accounts in the third quarter this year, vs. the previous year, according to BancVue, which helps set up technology at community banks nationwide.”
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Christian Science Monitor
“Solutions to the nation’s housing bubble still up in the air”
December 15, 2008
“In October, house prices on average across the nation declined 1.7 percent from September and were down 12.9 percent from a year ago, calculates Integrated Asset Services, a Denver firm engaged in default management and residential valuation. On the Pacific coast, prices have slumped 20 percent.”
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Smart Money
“Home Prices: Now for the Good News”
November 1, 2008
“Here, prices leaped 16 percent in the past year, according to Integrated Asset Services, an firm specializing in mortgage investments. The area’s popularity illustrates a common theme in U.S. housing markets: established, close-in neighborhoods are often holding up better than suburbs, because they didn’t endure overbuilding and because higher-income owners were less likely to need subprime or adjustable-rate mortgages.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Only One Person Knows a Home’s Value: Its Buyer”
November 21, 2008
“Integrated Asset Services, or IAS, sells estimates by neighborhood. “We are a lot more granular” than Case-Shiller and the federal index, Chief Executive David McCarthy said.”
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The Vancouver Sun
“Making Money and Making a Difference”
November 17, 2008
Steve Scheuth: “It’s about investors wanting their money to do double duty,” he says. “Investors who want their money to make money and make a difference.”
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Marketplace Public Radio
“Getting Personal”
November 7, 2008
Response to Schwab Charitable radio hit: “You mentioned a Charles Schwab Charitable Fund during your microfinance session, what is the exact name of that fund and the corresponding symbol?”
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Financial Adviser Magazine
“Column: The Socially Conscious Investor”
November 1, 2008
“Family fiduciary contracts can help ensure that a trustee does what a family expects. Without argument, one of the more difficult struggles a family can face is choosing who will provide long-term management …”
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Financial Adviser Magazine
“Column: The Socially Conscious Investor”
October 1, 2008
“Chief executive officer Scott Wylie says the company aims to be the first private bank and trust company in the western U.S. that is aimed at first-generation wealth instead of old-money, blue blood types, who he says have different needs.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Home Supply Fell Over Last Year”
July 10, 2008
“Integrated Asset Services LLC, a Denver-based company that helps banks value and sell foreclosed homes, said its index shows that the median U.S. home price in May was down 3.2% from April and down 20% from May 2007.”
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CNBC
“My Day At A Foreclosure Call-In Center”
June 4, 2008
“Some lenders now are cutting prices as often as every 20 days on homes that aren’t selling, said David McCarthy, chief executive officer of Integrated Asset Services LLC, a Denver-based company that helps banks value and sell REO homes.”
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The Wall Street Journal
“Number of Foreclosed Homes Keeps Rising”
June 2, 2008
“Some lenders now are cutting prices as often as every 20 days on homes that aren’t selling, said David McCarthy, chief executive officer of Integrated Asset Services LLC, a Denver-based company that helps banks value and sell REO homes.”
“A new pricing index from Denver-based integrated asset services gives price drops from just a month ago on single family homes”
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U.S. News & World Report
“Some Home Prices Are Actually Rising In Denver”
April 4, 2008
“Using the company’s proprietary data, Tomazin explores the striking divergence of home prices within the state of Colorado and argues that the alarm over falling home values at the national level has overshadowed local pockets of surprising strength.”
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The Greentree Gazette
“Online Marketing for 2008: Spending to Spike”
January 2008
“A solid 50 percent of colleges and universities plan to boost their online marketing spending in 2008 — a response to the robust growth these institutions have seen in applicant leads coming over the web, according to an EducationDynamics study…”