Hatteras Funds Launches Alpha Hedged Strategies Variable Fund

RALEIGH, N.C., July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hatteras Funds ("Hatteras"), a boutique alternative investment specialist providing unique alternative investment solutions for financial advisors and their clients, has launched a new variable trust fund, the Hatteras Alpha Hedged Strategies Variable Fund.

The Fund invests in multiple hedge fund strategies and multiple hedge fund managers and provides daily liquidity and position-level transparency. The Fund seeks to obtain consistent returns while maintaining a high correlation to the HFRI Fund of Funds Composite Index and low correlation to traditional financial market indices. In addition, investors have the opportunity to increase their portfolio allocations to alternative investments without compromising liquidity.

The Fund was unveiled on the flat-fee variable annuity(1) platform of Jefferson National, a recognized innovator of tax-deferred investing solutions for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and fee-based advisors, on June 15, 2012. It is the only multi-strategy, multi-manager alternative option available on Jefferson National's flat-fee variable annuity platform.

"We believe alternative investment strategies provide higher levels of diversification(2) and risk mitigation than traditional strategies, especially during volatile market environments, but some investors and advisors find the taxes to be an obstacle," said Robert Worthington, President of Hatteras. "Hatteras and Jefferson National have removed this obstacle by offering a daily liquid, multi-strategy, multi-manager alternative fund within a tax-deferred variable annuity."

The Fund's strategies are similar to the $476 million Hatteras Alpha Hedged Strategies Fund (ALPHX, APHAX, APHCX, ALPIX), a mutual fund which will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on September 23, 2012.

"Our surveys indicate that nearly two-thirds of advisors believe alternative investments will become more important than their traditional counterparts. The partnership with Hatteras furthers our commitment to provide the broadest selection of tax-deferred alternative investment solutions to fee-based advisors and their clients, as well as offer strategies to improve alternative investment performance," said Laurence Greenberg, President of Jefferson National. "By combining Jefferson National's low-cost approach to tax deferral with Hatteras' expertise in the management and delivery of unique alternative investment solutions, we can help advisors and their clients obtain the benefits of greater diversification, flexibility and liquidity without many of the inherent tax inefficiencies associated with other alternative investments."

For more information, please contact Jami Schlicher at 973-850-7309 or [email protected].

About Hatteras Funds

Hatteras Funds is a boutique alternative investment specialist dedicated to providing unique alternative investment solutions for financial advisors and their clients. Founded in 2003, Hatteras provides retail investors with access to the same sophisticated investment approach and superior management talent as the largest institutions. The Raleigh, N.C.-based firm manages $2 billion in alternative investment strategies for a broad range of institutions, endowments, pensions and high-net-worth individuals. For more information, please visit hatterasfunds.com.

About Jefferson National Financial Corp.

Jefferson National Financial Corp. is a leading innovator offering products and services for RIAs and fee-based advisors and the clients they serve, utilizing a flexible technology platform, highly efficient operations, and cost-effective servicing capabilities. Jefferson National is winner of more than 30 industry awards including the DMA 2010 Financial Services Company of the Year.  Serving a network of more than 1,700 RIAs and fee-based advisors nationwide, the Company is based in Louisville, KY and domiciled in Dallas, Texas with authority in 49 states and the District of Columbia. To reach our advisor support desk, please call 1-866-WHY-FLAT (1-866-949-3528). To learn more, please visit www.jeffnat.com.

Shares of the Hatteras Alpha Hedged Strategies Variable Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to the prospectus for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, will affect the return you may realize with respect to your investments. Please contact your insurance carrier for a variable product prospectus and for the standardized performance data of the variable product.

The Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing.  The prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment companies, and may be obtained by calling 877.569.2382, or visiting hatterasfunds.com. Read it carefully before investing.

No investment is risk free, loss of principal is possible. Alternative investments involve specific risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments. You should consider the special risks with alternative investments including limited liquidity, tax considerations, incentive fee structures, potentially speculative investment strategies, and different regulatory and reporting requirements. There can be no assurance that any investment will meet its performance objectives or that substantial losses will be avoided.

Securities offered through Hatteras Capital Distributors, LLC, member of FINRA / SIPC, 8540 Colonnade Center Drive, Suite 401, Raleigh, NC 27615-3052. Hatteras Capital Distributors, LLC is affiliated with Hatteras Investment Partners, LLC, Hatteras Capital Investment Management, LLC and Hatteras Alternative Mutual Funds, LLC by virtue of common control/ownership.

Important Disclosure:

An investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment before investing or sending money.  The contract prospectus and underlying fund prospectuses contain this information. For a prospectus containing this and additional information, please contact your financial professional.  Read it carefully before investing. The summary of product features is not intended to be all-inclusive.  Restrictions may apply.  The contracts have exclusions and limitations, and may not be available in all states or at all times.

Variable annuities are investments subject to market fluctuation and risk, including possible loss of principal. Your units, when you make a withdrawal or surrender, may be worth more or less than your original investment.

Variable annuities are long-term investments to help you meet retirement and other long-range goals. Withdrawal of tax-deferred accumulations is subject to ordinary income tax. Withdrawals made prior to age 59 may incur a 10% IRS tax penalty. Jefferson National does not offer tax advice. Annuities are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any bank, nor are they FDIC insured.

Monument Advisor is issued by Jefferson National Life Insurance Company (Dallas, TX) and distributed by Jefferson National Securities Corporation, FINRA member. Policy series JNL-2300-1, JNL-2300-2.

(1) Jefferson National's Monument Advisor has a $20 monthly flat insurance fee. Additional fees ranging from $19.99-$49.99 will be assessed for investors wishing to purchase shares of ultra low-cost funds. See the prospectus for details.

(2) Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.

SOURCE Hatteras Funds