Touchstone Looks to Add More Funds, Wholesalers

Fresh off its acquisition of 16 mutual funds with about $3 billion in assets from Fifth Third Asset Management Inc., Touchstone Investments is planning on adding more funds to its sub-advised lineup as well and more sales executives to its roster.

Going forward, Steve Graziano, president of Touchstone, said the Cincinnati-based firm is looking to add to its current lineup of alternative mutual funds, which includes a market-neutral fund, a merger arbitrage fund and a global real estate fund.

“We’re in search of other alternative funds such as global macro and commodities,” he told Money Management Executive.

On the fixed income front, the firm is looking to add a floating rate fund and an emerging market debt fund.

As well, the firm is looking to build out its defined contribution investment only team by adding another seven wholesalers focusing on retirement plans, endorsements and pension funds, according to Graziano.

The firm is also ramping up its internal wholesale team from 10 to 12 and is looking to add two to three new sales territories per year. “We’re examining opportunities in Florida and there are opportunities to add two more in southern California,” said Graziano.

Read the full interview with Steve Graziano in the next print issue of MME.