Placemark Investments Launches ETF Investment Strategist Center

DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Placemark Investments announced today that they have launched a new service to help investment advisors gain access to the broadest universe of third-party exchange-traded fund (ETF) portfolios in the marketplace. Placemark's new ETF Investment Strategist Center provides information on almost 100 ETF investment strategists currently included in the iShares Connect Guide to ETF Investment Strategists, formerly known as the ETF Managed Solutions Guide, developed by iShares®, the world's largest ETF provider.

The ETF Investment Strategist Center was established in response to demand created by the rapidly growing market for ETFs. In recent years, as financial advisors have become more aware of the advantages of ETFs (diversity, liquidity, low cost and low tracking error, among others), they have increasingly leveraged the portfolios of investment managers specializing in ETFs.

"Placemark's platform makes it easier than ever for financial advisors to utilize ETF portfolios in building solutions for their clients," said Randy Bullard, Executive Vice President at Placemark Investments. "iShares has supported the advisors' need for ETF model portfolios by publishing the iShares Connect Guide, the first and largest compendium of experienced third-party ETF managers. The ETF Investment Strategist Center is another step forward, making experienced third-party managers more directly accessible to financial advisors and their clients."

"More and more firms are building and actively managing ETF portfolios to help manage risks and to meet clients' investment goals," said Katharine Earhart, Director of iShares Connect. "The iShares Connect Guide and now the ETF Investment Strategist Center help financial advisors deliver ETFs' benefits of transparency, flexibility and tax efficiency to their clients."

The Center includes a wide-range of ETF strategies, including strategic and tactical asset allocation, U.S. and international equity, fixed income, country, sector, style, and alternative investment strategies. As new managers are added to the iShares Connect Guide, Placemark will invite those managers to participate in the ETF Investment Strategist Center.

The ETF Investment Strategist Center is now available through Placemark's UMA Marketplace®, an open platform offered to registered investment advisors affiliated with Schwab Institutional, TD Ameritrade Institutional, Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, Pershing Advisor Solutions and other broker dealers. Managers participating in the ETF Investment Strategist Center benefit from Placemark's UMA Marketplace® distribution network and services.

Placemark Investments, headquartered in Dallas, is a pioneer in developing Unified Managed Accounts (UMAs), which allow advisors to incorporate managed account strategies, mutual funds and ETFs into a single account. Placemark manages approximately $7 billion in UMA assets through the proprietary UMA programs for numerous broker dealers including RBC Wealth Management, Oppenheimer Asset Management and TD Ameritrade Institutional. Placemark's UMA Marketplace® platform is primarily used by RIAs on the major RIA custodial platforms. 

The material contained in this document is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or financial instrument. The information contained herein should not be construed as financial or investment advice on any subject matter. It has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Placemark Investments develops wealth management solutions, including Unified Managed Account programs for registered investment advisors. Placemark's UMA Marketplace® platform is the most flexible UMA solution available to RIAs, allowing advisors to create custom solutions for their clients utilizing any combination of mutual funds, ETFs, and managed account strategies. UMA Marketplace® offers a full suite of services and is integrated with leading custodial platforms, performance reporting vendors, and research providers to the wealth management industry. For additional information, please visit Placemark's website at www.placemark.com

Media Contacts: 
Holly Noyes
Placemark Investments
781-371-4000 x3226
[email protected]

SOURCE Placemark Investments