Portfolio

Securities lending, once considered a mundane middle and back office operational chore, is quickly becoming the target of scrutiny from savvier plan sponsors who want a far better understanding of the financial benefits and pitfalls.

Cathe Tocher has excelled as a portfolio manager through very good times and bad. She is senior vice president of investments at Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co., whose five- and four-star Morningstar-rated stable-value portfolios continue to be embraced by the 401(k) marketplace.

As the State of Wisconsin Investment Board continues a push toward risk aversion, its staff laid out new goals for the fixed-income portfolio that would look to find additional alpha minus any apparent investment hazard.

Charles Schwab announced on Thursday three new, low-cost bond exchange-traded funds with no online trading commissions for Schwab clients. This is in addition to the eight equity ETFs that Schwab already offers.

Not even the “flash crash” could dent the popularity of exchange-traded funds.

Treasury panel offers its take.

Charles Schwab announced on Thursday three new, low-cost bond exchange-traded funds with no online trading commissions for Schwab clients.

The number of high-net-worth individuals in the top 10 U.S. metropolitan areas rose 17.5% in 2009, the highest growth rate in the last four years, according to the Capgemini 2010 U.S. Metro Wealth Index.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has hired David Tyrie, formerly with Putnam Investments, as head of personal retirement services. He will report directly to Andy Sieg, head of retirement and philanthropic services division.

Rockefeller Financial has named Reuben Jeffery III chief executive officer.