The firm plans to offer A, B and C shares for the American Century Advisor Funds, which, with the exception of one money market product, will be available only via intermediaries as of Feb. 3 of next year. The remaining funds in American Centurys product line will still be offered to customers directly and without a load charge, the company said.
American Century officials said the move reflects a sea change in the fund business, where investors are flocking to intermediaries for advice. In fact, 85% of fund shares are now sold through intermediaries, the firm said.
"We want to offer our expertise to investors in whatever way they choose to access us," said David Larrabee, the firms senior VP of third-party sales.
The funds include the firms High-Yield Municipal, Diversified Bond, High-Yield, High-Yield Municipal, International Growth, Large Company Value, New Opportunities II, Prime Money Market, Select and Value. The firm will continue to offer the Prime Money Market Fund directly.