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Money Management Executive

PFPC Scores 529 Servicing Deals

March 20, 2002, 1:00 a.m. EST 1 Min Read

PFPC Inc. has captured business for five additional 529 college savings plans: North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Montana. That roster adds to the half-dozen plans the Wilmington, Del.-based firm already services.

Collectively, 167,000 shareholders have only $900 million in assets housed within those plans, averaging to less than $5,500 per shareholder. Nevertheless, PFPC cited a study that estimates growth in total 529 assets to $51 billion by 2006.

Because of modest account sizes and complex rules governing taxation and withdrawals, administration of the accounts can be onerous to many of the plan administrators, who prefer to focus on distribution.

Michael DeNofrio, an executive VP of PFPC shareholder services and transfer agency, likened the 529 plan market today to the 401(k) in the early 90’s. "These college savings plans today are similar to 401(k) retirement plans a decade ago - an innovative and useful investment product that is taking off," he said in a statement.

TIAA-CREF , with 12 states under its belt the most prolific 529 plan administrator, handles its servicing internally. Its total 529 assets are currently just more than $2 billion.

"We do everything in-house," said spokesperson Jim Tolve. He said that TIAA-CREF has never considered using an outside servicing firm, nor does it anticipate doing so in the future.

PFPC competitor DST Systems, Inc. provides servicing for 21 states. The firm handles more than $5 billion in assets for nearly 700,000 accounts as of December 31, according to DST.
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