MILWAUKEE, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Marshall Tax-Free Money Market Fund and the Marshall Prime Money Market Fund were recently recognized by iMoneyNet™ as the top performing National Funds for 2009.  

The Marshall Tax-Free Money Market Fund had the highest returns in its universe of 83 funds (I class) and 56 funds (Y class) according to iMoneyNet, while the Marshall Prime Money Market Fund finished 2009 as the iMoneyNet #1 AAA-Rated Prime Money Market Fund with the highest return in its universe of 171 funds (I class).

"We are pleased to be recognized by iMoneyNet as a top-performer in 2009," said Tommy Huie, president and chief investment officer of M&I Investment Management Corp., adviser to the Marshall Funds. "These awards validate the commitment Marshall Funds has to effectively manage cash for clients. We value our relationships with corporations, institutions, foundations and endowments, state and local governments, not-for-profit organizations and Taft-Hartley plans."

"The Marshall Money Market investment management teams place a significant emphasis on their credit research. They develop an approved list of issuers, credit insurers, and bank letter of credit underwriters which are used in building the portfolios," continued Huie.

"The intent of the tax-free money market portfolio management team is to add incremental performance, while achieving and maintaining upper tier rankings," said Craig Mauermann, Marshall Tax-Free Money Market Fund manager. "We concentrate on the day-to-day details, seeking consistent returns that enable us to achieve long-term results."

"Our goal for the prime money market fund is to give investors the additional yield that corporate paper can provide while at the same time controlling risk," said Richard Rokus, Marshall Prime Money Market Fund manager. "Within this sector we strive to provide competitive returns by focusing on structural inefficiencies within the money market universe."

Other Marshall Funds were recently recognized by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., a leading organization that compiles performance data on investment companies. The highest ranked Marshall Funds stock fund was the Marshall Small-Cap Growth Fund (Y class). It was in the top 6 percent (21 out of 397 funds) for the 5-year period and the top 7 percent (32 out of 472 funds) for the 3-year period ending December 31, 2009 within its category.

The Marshall Funds bond funds with notable rankings within their respective categories were the Marshall Corporate Income Fund (Y class) which was in the top 4 percent (21 out of 549 funds) for the 1-year period, the Marshall Aggregate Bond Fund (Y class) which was in the top 5 percent (26 out of 549 funds) for the 1-year period, and the Marshall Short-Intermediate Bond Fund (Y class) which was in the top 6 percent (8 out of 150 funds) for the 1-year period ending December 31, 2009.

For investors seeking to earn tax-free income, the Marshall Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (Y class) was in the top 2 percent (2 out of 142 funds) for the 3-year period and the top 4 percent (4 out of 125 funds) for the 5-year period ending December 31, 2009.

About M&I Investment Management Corp.

M&I Investment Management Corp., an SEC-registered investment advisor, is one of the affiliates of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation marketed under the brand name M&I Wealth Management. M&I Wealth Management has over 1,500 associates, $122 billion in assets under administration and $32 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2009, M&I Wealth Management is a leading provider of trust, investment management and banking services to corporations, institutions and affluent individuals. As noted above, M&I Wealth Management offers products and services through various affiliates of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, including Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A., M&I Investment Management Corp., M&I Financial Advisors, Inc. (member FINRA/SIPC, maintaining its principal offices at 111 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202), North Star Trust Company, North Star Deferred Exchange Corp. and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC. Insurance coverage is underwritten by a number of insurers. Insurance products are the obligation of the insurance company. Banking products and services are provided by M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank or M&I Bank FSB, Members FDIC.

©  2010 Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

Investment products are:  Not FDIC insured | No bank guarantee | May lose value

iMoneyNet is a leading provider of money-market mutual fund information and analysis. Since 1975, it has been publishing Money Fund Report™. Money Fund Report Averages™ are widely-used performance benchmarks in the cash investment world. The iMoneyNet ranking is based on the fund's total return.  Investments cannot be made in an index.

An investment in the Marshall Money Market Funds is neither insured nor guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of the investment at $1 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Funds.

The Marshall Tax-Free MMF/Class I had the highest 2009 annual return of 1.03% in its universe of 83 funds. The Marshall Tax-Free MMF/Class Y had the highest 2009 annual return of 0.77% in its universe of 56 funds. The Marshall Prime MMF/Class I had the highest 2009 annual return of 0.69% in its universe of 171 funds.

    
    
    Marshall Tax-Free Money Market Fund (I) (MFIXX)
    Inception date: 06/29/05
    Expense Ratio: 0.28% Gross 0.20% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    1.02%             NA                 NA                2.62%
    Current 7-Day Yield: 0.66%           Effective 7-Day Yield: 0.66%
    
    Marshall Tax-Free Money Market Fund (Y) (MTFXX)
    Inception date: 09/22/04
    Expense Ratio: 0.53% Gross 0.45% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    0.77%             2.31%              NA                2.25%
    Current 7-Day Yield: 0.41%           Effective 7-Day Yield: 0.41%
    
    Marshall Prime Money Market Fund (I) (MAIXX)
    Inception date: 04/03/00
    Expense Ratio: 0.20% Gross 0.20% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    0.69%             3.41%              NA                3.12%
    Current 7-Day Yield: 0.24%           Effective 7-Day Yield: 0.24%
    
    Marshall Small-Cap Growth Fund (Y class) (MRSCX)
    Inception date: 11/01/95
    Expense Ratio: 1.60% Gross 1.44% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    46.81%            4.58%              3.07%             10.57%
    
    
    

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the Marshall Small-Cap Growth Fund Y Shares ranked 85 out of 540 funds within Lipper's Small-Cap Growth Funds category. For the 3-year period, Y Shares ranked 32 out of 472 funds. For the 5-year period, Y Shares ranked 21 out of 397 funds. For the 10-year period, Y Shares ranked 37 out of 217 funds. Small-Cap stocks are less liquid and more volatile than large-cap stocks.

    
    
    Marshall Corporate Income Fund (Y class) (MCIYX)
    Inception date: 12/23/08
    Expense Ratio: 1.89% Gross 0.85% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    23.60%            NA                 NA                23.22%
    
    
    

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the Marshall Corporate Income Fund Y Shares ranked 21 out of 549 funds within Lipper's Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds category. For the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ending 12/31/09, the Lipper Ranking is not available.

    
    
    Marshall Aggregate Bond Fund (Y class) (MABYX)
    Inception date: 06/01/07
    Expense Ratio: 0.92% Gross 0.80% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    21.17%            NA                 NA                8.12%
    
    
    

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the Marshall Aggregate Bond Fund Y Shares ranked 26 out of 549 funds within Lipper's Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds category. For the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ending 12/31/09, the Lipper Ranking is not available.

    
    
    Marshall Short-Intermediate Bond Fund (Y class) (MAIBX)
    Inception date: 11/23/92
    Expense Ratio: 0.94% Gross 0.80% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    26.81%            4.23%              5.13%             5.15%
    
    
    

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the Marshall Short-Intermediate Bond Fund Y Shares ranked 8 out of 150 funds within Lipper's Sht-Intmt Inv Grade Debt Funds category. For the 3-year period, Y Shares ranked 61 out of 134 funds. For the 5-year period, Y Shares ranked 47 out of 128 funds. For the 10-year period, Y Shares ranked 35 out of 71 funds.

    
    
    Marshall Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (Y class) (MITFX)
    Inception date: 02/02/94
    Expense Ratio: 1.14% Gross 0.56% (Net)
    Average Annual Total Returns for the period ending December 31, 2009
    One Year          Five Year          Ten Year          Since Inception
    12.86%            4.37%              5.09%             4.62%
    
    
    

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the Marshall Intermediate Tax-Free Fund Y Shares ranked 38 out of 157 funds within Lipper's Intermediate Muni Debt Funds category. For the 3-year period, Y Shares ranked 2 out of 142 funds. For the 5-year period, Y Shares ranked 4 out of 125 funds. For the 10-year period, Y Shares ranked 13 out of 74 funds.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and past performance is not a guarantee of future results.  Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  Mutual fund performance changes over time and current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated.  To receive the most recent month-end performance, please call 1-800-580-3863.

The net expense ratio shown reflects contractual expense waivers made by the Adviser.  These contractual expense waivers may not be terminated by the Adviser prior to December 31, 2010 unless the investment advisory agreement is terminated.  Without these contractual waivers, the Fund's returns would have been lower.  Please see the prospectus for more information.

The Lipper Ranking is based on total returns and does not reflect a sales charge. Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. is an independent organization that compiles performance data on investment companies. Ratings stated are for the share class indicated only; other classes may vary.

Potential clients should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus and/or summary prospectus, which contains this and other information about the Marshall Funds, call 1-800-580-3863. Please read it carefully before investing.

M&I Investment Management Corp. is the investment adviser to the Marshall Funds. M&I Distributors LLC is the distributor. The Marshall Funds are available through M&I Financial Advisors, Inc. authorized broker-dealers and, for certain accounts, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A.

SOURCE Marshall & Ilsley Corporation