Money Management Executive Latest News

Those saying technology will lead the way out of the bear market, may only be half right, even if what they anticipate actually comes to fruition.

Looking beyond the valley we have been in the past three years, we can say with confidence that mutual funds will remain a preferred investment vehicle for tomorrow's investors.

House Financial Services Capital Markets Subcommittee Chairman Richard H. Baker (R-LA) dashed off a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman William Donaldson last Wednesday asking the SEC to look into mutual funds fees. Fee tables aside, Baker asserted investors are "ignorant" of how much they are paying.

Pax World Balanced Fund last week introduced a contribution program whereby investors can contribute dividends and capital gains for humanitarian aid to Iraqi citizens affected by the ongoing war.

No, a "high-tech compliance system" is not an oxymoron. In fact, just about every mutual fund company is grappling with ways to leverage technology to increase the speed and efficiencies of mundane but vital compliance tasks, while keeping their eyes trained on the bottom line and trying to rein in costs.

When I hear that, I know I've done my job. I have served the New York region as a mutual fund and separately managed accounts wholesaler for Lord Abbett for more than three years, and I love my job. My clients are financial advisers at Merrill Lynch, Salomon Smith Barney and several regional brokerage firms and their end investors.

John Hancock Financial Services has appointed James Shepherdson as president of retirement services and SVP. In his new position, Shepherdson will be responsible for sales and marketing of the firm's annuities and life insurance products through third-party channels.

Brinker Capital has hired 12-year industry veteran Leo Dolan as a principal with the firm, where he will join the senior management team in evaluating each aspect of the company's operations as it gears up for extensive future growth through financial advisers.

Gartmore Global Investments has hired Wilson Santos as EVP of distribution, reporting to president and CEO D. Bruce Johnston. As one of the first to bring registered hedge funds to market, Santos joins Gartmore from Montgomery Asset Management, where he served as EVP and chief marketing officer.

Michael Radziemski is now the chief information officer for Lord, Abbett & Co., reporting to Robert S. Dow, managing partner of the firm.