Bank of the West Adds to Investment Advisory Solutions with Introduction of Proprietary ETF Portfolios

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of the West Wealth Management today announced the launch of Bank of the West ETF portfolios.  The portfolios incorporate ETFs selected by the group's Investment Advisory and Management Team to provide exposure to a global set of investment opportunities.  Combined with the Bank's recently launched mutual fund portfolios, the ETF portfolios mark the second major enhancement  to its open architecture Investment Advisory Solutions (IAS) platform in the past several months.  Previously, these portfolios were only available to the firm's Trust Services clients.

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According to John Morris, head of client solutions for Bank of the West's Wealth Management Group and senior vice president, the Bank's asset allocation model drives the mutual fund and ETF portfolios and is informed with a global perspective gained through the firm's relationship to its parent BNP Paribas, one of the world's largest banks.[1]

"Now more than ever, investing requires a global perspective. Given that our parent BNP Paribas has a presence in more than 80 countries, we're uniquely positioned to leverage that insight and deliver on that mandate," said Morris.  "At the same time, many investors are looking for more choice and investing options that can reposition as the markets change.  These proprietary ETF portfolios will extrapolate meaningful information from around the globe and use that information to align the portfolios with the current market environment," he continued.

The portfolios provide clients with a disciplined process that includes a range of risk tolerance-defined investment objectives, while also: 

• Using proprietary asset allocation strategies
• Incorporating tactical asset allocation, which is the ability to make small adjustments over time in the face of a changing investment environment
• Including taxable and tax-efficient strategies, with the choice of California or national municipal bond exposure
• Offering 100% equity or fixed income options for clients who seek exposure to only one or the other asset class

"In working with our clients we see that many investors are attracted to ETFs because they can combine tax efficiency and low expenses. We're excited to incorporate ETFs into our new portfolios and offer them to a broader array of clients through our IAS platform," said Morris.

"The ETF portfolios complement what we believe are a substantial, open architecture suite of proprietary and non-proprietary investment products available at Bank of the West," said John Bahnken, head of the firm's Wealth Management Group and senior executive vice president.  "We're building on our commitment to offer Bank clients solutions that have traditionally been the exclusive domain of institutions and high net worth investors," he said.

Investors interested in learning more about the ETF portfolios, or IAS in general, can meet with a Private Client Advisor in markets throughout our 19 state footprint, including eight wealth management centers in Denver, San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Pasadena.  In addition, financial advisors are available at Bank of the West branches.  A full list of Bank locations can be found at www.bankofthewest.com.  IAS is available for clients with $50,000 of investable assets, and the fee for the service is calculated as a percentage of assets under management.  

Bank of the West Wealth Management provides wealth planning, investment management*, personal banking, and trust services. The group is part of BNP Paribas' global wealth management business of more than 6,000 professionals in 30 countries worldwide with over $10 billion** in assets under management in the United States and $354 billion (€265 billion) in assets under management globally as of December 31, 2012.

About Bank of the West:
Founded in 1874, $63 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com), member FDIC and equal housing lender, offers a wide range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services. The bank operates more than 700 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 80 countries with nearly 200,000 employees.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the fund or ETF carefully before investing. This and other information may be found in the prospectus and/or, if available, the summary prospectus. To obtain a prospectus, and/or summary prospectus, please contact your Financial Advisor. Always read the prospectus and/or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

ETFs can entail risks similar to direct stock ownership, including, but not limited to, market, sector, or industry risks, and those regarding short-selling and margin account maintenance. 

The information presented should not be construed or used as a specific recommendation for the investment of assets.  Such information is not intended as an offer or a solicitation of an offer, to purchase or sell any security or financial instrument, nor does the information constitute advice or an expression of the Bank's view as to whether a particular security, investment strategy, or financial instrument is appropriate for you and meets your financial objectives. All investments involve risk.  Investors should seek the advice of a financial professional regarding the appropriateness of any securities or strategies discussed. 

Bank of the West Wealth Management provides financial products and services through Bank of the West and its various affiliates and subsidiaries.  *Securities and variable annuities are offered through BancWest Investment Services, Inc., a registered broker/dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Financial Advisors are registered representatives of BancWest Investment Services, Inc.  Fixed annuities/insurance products are offered through BancWest Insurance Agency in California (License # 0C52321) and through BancWest Insurance Agency in Utah, and through BancWest Investment Services in AZ, CO, IA, ID, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY, HI, Guam and CNMI. Bank of the West and its various affiliates and subsidiaries are not tax or legal advisors.

BancWest Investment Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of the West and a part of the Wealth Management Group. BancWest Corporation is the holding company for Bank of the West. BancWest Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas.

Investment and Insurance Products are:

NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

** Including assets under supervision at BancWest Investment Services

[1] According to Global Finance, World's Biggest Banks http://www.gfmag.com/tools/best-banks/11986-worlds-50-biggest-banks-2012.html#axzz2c4Xn0BL6

SOURCE Bank of the West