Money Management Executive Latest News

In an effort to promote its mutual funds, Chicago-based brokerage William Blair & Co. is developing a new Web site that will go live soon. The new site is part of a comprehensive marketing effort to promote the company's funds to outside investors, according to Martin Gawne, marketing director for the William Blair Funds.

With mutual fund sales down, equity fund performance in the red and fund groups seeing star managers jump ship to navigate their own hedge funds, fund advisors are considering ways to offer alternative investment products.

A mutual fund is sold, not bought, the old saying goes. To that end, it should come as no surprise that some funds are trying to lure new investors and retain existing ones by offering everything from credit cards to free weekends at beach and ski resorts.

Belt-tightening measures throughout the fund industry are squeezing wholesaler programs designed to support independent advisors and financial planners out of existence, industry consultants say.

At least one fund group is marching to the beat of its own drummer by making a trio of significant changes.

If investing in socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds continues at the rate of the past 30 years, assets in those vehicles will reach $278.1 billion in 10 years and $751 billion by 2026, according to a report released last week by Pax World Funds.

It has been over nine months since a class-action lawsuit alleging management fraud was filed against Heartland Advisors, yet reporters still call once or twice a week about it, according to a company spokesperson.

Harvey Pitt has not even been formally sworn in as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, yet already some industry observers are concerned that mutual funds may take a back seat once he takes the wheel.

Didn't log on to Mfmarketnews.com last week? Here's some Web exclusives you missed:

Nicholas Lopardo, vice chairman of State Street Corp. and CEO of State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), retired last week after 14 years. Timothy Harbert, president of SSgA, has taken over Lopardo's duties. It was unclear whether Harbert will continue to serve as president.