Ascent Investment Partners Appoints Director of Research

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent Investment Partners, a fast growing fixed-income investment manager, today announced the appointment of Brian Tournier as the firm's Director of Research.  An industry veteran with approximately 20 years of experience in research and analysis, Tournier joins Ascent from Stern Brothers & Co. in St. Louis.

Ascent Investment Partners is affiliated with Montage Investments, a diverse group of boutique asset managers with approximately $8 billion in assets under management across global asset classes. Ascent is singularly focused on the fixed income markets.

In Tournier's new role at Ascent Investment Partners, he will lead credit research, monitoring and reviewing existing and prospective investments.  He will also enhance client communication via the publication of periodic research reports on market trends and credit developments.

"Brian has an impressive breadth of experience across all aspects of financial industry research and analysis, and his background fits nicely with the goals of our firm," said Jeff Ladd, Principal. "Ascent recognizes that no two investors are alike, and our effort to customize portfolios is largely dependent on careful research and analysis of industry trends and opportunities. This is where Brian excels, and we are fortunate to bring him aboard."

Prior to joining Ascent, Tournier served as Vice President, Director of Credit Analysis for Stern Brothers & Co., where he managed all aspects of credit evaluation for the firm.  Earlier in his career, Tournier was Vice President, Group Leader of Municipal Research for A.G. Edwards & Sons in St. Louis, Mo.  There, he managed the team responsible for analyzing credit quality, identifying market opportunities and publishing action-oriented research for retail and institutional clients.

Tournier currently serves on the Board of Governors of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts (NFMA) and is co-chair of the NFMA's Disclosure Committee. He has been recognized as a 12-time All-Star Municipal Analyst by Smith's Research and Gradings. Tournier received a bachelor's degree in economics from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

About Ascent Investment Partners

Ascent Investment Partners is a St. Louis-based fixed income investment manager formed in 2010, managing $824 million in assets.  The firm offers exceptional client service and customized portfolio management to high net worth individuals and institutions by carefully balancing risk and after-tax return in every investment decision.   Ascent's goal is a competitive total return within the context of a conservative risk tolerance.   Visit www.ascentinvestmentpartners.com

About Montage Investments

Montage Investments brings together a diverse group of institutional investment managers – each offering a distinct approach to money management that reflects many decades of professional experience and proprietary investment strategies across global asset classes. Currently managing over $8 billion for institutions and high-net worth clients, the firm's structure allows individual investment managers to retain boutique processes, talents and cultures that the firm believes have demonstrated abilities of adding value to portfolios and meeting client objectives. Visit www.montageinvestments.com.

SOURCE Ascent Investment Partners