Ascensus Selected by 3D Asset Management to Partner on ETF AdvisorPlan℠ Solution

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 3, 2011 - Ascensus, a leading retirement plan solutions provider, today announced it has been selected by 3D Asset Management (“3D”), a registered investment advisory firm located in East Hartford, CT, to partner on its ETF AdvisorPlan℠ product. Based on Ascensus’ fee-based platform, the new product provides cost-effective ETF (exchange traded funds) asset allocation portfolios managed by 3D, which include ETFs from industry leaders as iShares, WisdomTree and others. In addition, 3D’s new program offers advisors a comprehensive suite of materials to make it easier for financial advisors to offer an all-inclusive, fee-based retirement program.  

The ETF AdvisorPlan solution will help advisors:  grow their fee-based business in the 401(k) space, simplify their marketing efforts and presentations to 401(k) prospects, manage fiduciary liability, help retain business and improve fee transparency, while reducing costs to plan sponsors.

For participants, the ETF AdvisorPlan solution provides innovative online tools as well as individualized investment policy statements to help them make better investment decisions. Plan sponsors also benefit by being able to ensure proper education is provided to all plan participants.

“We are pleased to be partnering with one of the largest and most reputable plan recordkeepers in the industry,” said Wayne Connors, chief investment officer for 3D Asset Management. “Through our experience providing fiduciary and asset allocation services, we believe that this solution is the best option for participants, sponsors and advisors. By leveraging Ascensus’ proven platform we can truly help advisors differentiate themselves when presenting alternatives to sponsors. This relationship with Ascensus will also enable us to further penetrate the market and increase the awareness of our capabilities.”

“Together, we bring the benefits of low-cost ETFs to 401(k) plans by leveraging Ascensus’ ETF trading capabilities coupled with 3D’s professionally managed asset allocation strategies,” explained Michael Narkoff, senior vice president, Sales for Ascensus. “With the heightened focus on fee disclosure, this program is well positioned to address the needs of plan sponsors and advisors alike. With the ability to trade ETFs in our automated environment, we are able to keep investment costs down and offer a unique solution to the marketplace. Being selected by a firm of 3D’s caliber to partner on this unique solution provides us access to another distribution channel of independent planners and registered investment advisors to help us to continue to grow our business and expand our offerings.”  

About 3D Asset Management
3D Asset Management, Inc. ("3D") serves as portfolio strategist for the 3D Global Allocation strategies. 3D is an SEC registered investment advisory firm and an ERISA section 3(38) defined Investment manager that specializes in constructing asset allocation portfolios that employ an advanced indexing strategy. This approach incorporates the benefits of rigorous academic research designed to manage portfolio risks with precision in order to avoid large swings in account performance over time. Based in East Hartford, Conn., 3D can be found on the web at: www.3dadvisor.com. More information on the ETF AdvisorPlan℠  product can be found on the web at: www.etfadvisorplan.com.  

About Ascensus
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Ascensus delivers high-quality solutions for every segment of the retirement plan marketplace. A division of Crump Group, Inc., a leading provider of retirement services and the largest, most diversified wholesale insurance distributor in the U.S., Ascensus services nearly 27,000 defined contribution plans in the micro to large markets and administers over 1.5 million IRAs. Core capabilities include ERISA consulting, compliance support, sales, trust services, multilingual participant education, training and documentation. Solutions are offered with open architecture investment capabilities tailored to the needs of institutional partners, third party administrators, financial advisors, plan sponsors and participants. Learn more at www.ascensus.com.