Wilmington Trust and BlackRock Partner to Deliver Institutional-Quality Retirement Funds for Retirement Plans of all Sizes

WILMINGTON, Del., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a new partnership to deliver institutional-quality retirement funds for retirement plans of all sizes, Wilmington Trust will offer a suite of collective investment funds that invest in ten index funds and ten LifePath® target date funds managed by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. The funds combine institutional investment management by BlackRock with pricing designed to be attractive to plan sponsors of all sizes, including the $50 million and under market segment.

The funds are offered by Wilmington Trust Retirement and Institutional Services Company (WTRIS) and invest in collective investment funds managed by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. The funds are available in multiple fee classes across 17 platforms, including some that provide registered investment advisor payment options.

The BlackRock-managed funds are designed to appeal to retirement plan sponsors who seek index management for their defined contribution plans due to increased scrutiny on fees, investment expenses, and transparency. While designed to accommodate small retirement plans, the funds are open to plan sponsors of all sizes.

"The BlackRock funds significantly expand Wilmington Trust's collective fund product offering," said WTRIS President Charlie Russella. "This line-up of funds is our response to market demand for quality investment solutions for all size plans. We are offering a high-end retirement product to smaller plans with pricing similar to that enjoyed by billion-dollar retirement plans."

The family of funds utilizes BlackRock's LifePath series of target date funds, which are comprised of several of the firm's Index Portfolios, to provide access to the industry's most time-tested target date fund glidepath. BlackRock's unparalleled experience in managing target date funds across multiple market cycles gives plan sponsors a powerful solution to meet their plan requirements.

"This partnership between BlackRock and Wilmington Trust allows unprecedented access to institutional-quality retirement products for retirement plans of all sizes," said Greg Porteous, Head of Defined Contribution Intermediary Relationships at BlackRock. "We look forward to providing previously unmet solutions to an important segment in the retail advisor-sold market."

Additional information about the funds is available at www.wtris.com.

Interested investors may also contact Wilmington Trust's Robert Barnett at (360)904-6945.

ABOUT WILMINGTON TRUST
Wilmington Trust Retirement and Institutional Services Company (WTRIS) provides directed trustee, trust administration, and back-office services for retirement plans, companies, foundations, organizations, and financial institutions. WTRIS assists third party administrators, consultants, and professional advisors in helping their clients achieve financial goals.

WTRIS is chartered in Delaware and has offices in Wilmington, Del., and Phoenix, Ariz. WTRIS is part of Wilmington Trust's Institutional Client Services (ICS) division. ICS is distinguished from many competitors by its status as a core business of Wilmington Trust, as well as the experience and expertise of its global staff, its multi-jurisdictional presence, and its reputation for superior service.

Wilmington Trust also provides Wealth Advisory services for clients throughout the world.

Wilmington Trust is an M&T company. For more information, visit www.WilmingtonTrust.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Megen Morris (302)651-1462

SOURCE Wilmington Trust