June arrived on a positive note for tax-exempt money market funds, which accumulated $1.19 billion in new cash while total net assets rose to $273.64 billion in the week ended June 4, according to the Money Fund Report, a service of iMoneyNet.com.

Pershing on Wednesday said advisors will now be able use its platform to open, fund and manage 529 college savings plans for investors looking to set aside cash for their children’s education.

J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services, the retirement plan record keeping business of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, has hired Bill McDermott in a newly created role as head of Sales and Client Solutions.

Consolidation is everywhere so it pays to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities.

On May 30, 2012, J.P. Morgan Asset Management has introduced a new tool for retirement plan advisors to facilitate 401(k) plan design conversations and enhance plan sponsor decisions.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. last September put the brakes on its effort to sell its mutual-fund unit to private equity shop Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC after banks cut back on lending for leveraged buyouts.

Edward Jones survey finds that only 37% of Americans were able to correctly identify 529 plans as a college savings tool.

Jeffrey C. Boucek has joined Segal Rogerscasey’s Atlanta office as senior vice president, focusing on consulting, client relationship management and new business development.

Charles Schwab's Retirement Plan Services unit in January made waves by going passive.

Regulators in nations around the world, including fast-developing markets, don’t know quite what to make of the asset management business, fund executives said.

On May 4. 3012, The findings of a BlackRock survey show that just over half, 51%, of retirees – but only one quarter, 25%, of today’s workers - are confident about having enough money to live comfortably in retirement.

May 7, 2012 story: Principal Funds has added three new regional directors to the firm's investment only team: Marcel Dawson, Gary Nakamura and Pamela Suing, focusing on growth within the registered investment advisor distribution channel.

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On April 30, 2012, Prudential Annuity has unveiled two new asset allocation portfolios and two new sub-advisors.

On April 26, 2012, Prudential Retirement has four new plan sponsor clients: Clampitt Paper; the luxury travel agency Virtuoso; Fisher Auto Parts, and Trimac Transportation.

On April 25, 2012, TAMRO Capital launched the TAMRO Small Cap Collective Fund, which is sponsored by Global Trust Company and available to ERISA-only clients

Buyers and sellers still cannot agree on price, the heads of six acquisition-minded banks said in first-quarter earnings calls.

On April 19, 2012, the financial research and consulting organization LIMRA has hired Alison Salka to serve as corporate vice president and director of its retirement research division.

On April 13, 2012, MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has added three new sales directors to its sales and client management organization: Dararith Ly; John Randall and Raymond Zittlow.

On APril 12, 2012 Two industry groups, the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (“DCIIA”) and the Retirement Income Industry Association (“RIIA”), are launching a joint effort to promote greater awareness and participation in retirement programs.