3D Asset Management Launches WealthConductor
East Hartford, Conn.-based 3D Asset Management has developed a new retirement income-planning program for advisors called WealthConductor. 
 
The program is based on the time-segmented retirement income strategy in which clients’ retirement assets are partitioned into different buckets that are closely aligned with specific income goals.

Philip G. Lubinski developed the WealthConductor training curriculum. Lubinski has used this segmented strategy in his personal practice with hundreds of clients for over 30 years, according to 3D.

Training is available through a variety of methods, including a one-day school, webinars and on-demand online modules.

A variety of topics are covered, including understanding market opportunities; how to make the necessary “course corrections” as markets, regulations and clients’ needs change; and the use of other income strategies and their proper positioning in the overall plan.

Sales and marketing support, case consultation and a technology platform that helps advisors manage the entire life cycle of a retirement income plan are also offered.

“Advisors are faced with many challenges today, mounting competition, increased regulatory scrutiny and the need to wear many hats within their business,” said Lubinski. “They don’t always have the time they’d like to spend on retirement income planning with their clients. We feel WealthConductor provides advisors with the training and tools that they need to be successful in this exploding market segment.”


Henderson Launches International Equity Fund
Henderson Global Investors has launched its new International Select Equity Fund (Tickers: HSQAX, HSQCX, HSQIX), which seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation primarily through investment in the equities of non-U.S. companies.

The fund is structured as a concentrated portfolio, consisting of 30 to 40 equally weighted holdings with a bottom-up stock-picking style.
“Our team’s in-depth research approach combined with a highly concentrated portfolio offers investors access to what we believe are the best opportunities in international equities,” said Chuck Thompson, head of U.S. distribution at Henderson Global Investors.


Allianz Introduces Social Security Video
Allianz has created a two-minute Social Security video that highlights situations that could impact benefits and stresses the importance of creating a strategy that appropriately fits clients’ individual needs.

Some of the scenarios to consider include having a disabled child, obtaining a benefit as a divorced spouse and understanding how Medicare may impact Social Security income. “While Social Security benefits alone may not be enough to cover retirement expenses, they can fit into a complete retirement income strategy and should be discussed with a financial professional,” said Deb Repya, senior director of Allianz Life Advanced Markets.


Gladstone Launches Valuation Platform
Gladstone Analytics has developed a Web-based business valuation platform for financial advisors. The valuation models are designed to allow advisors to accurately measure their success, plan for succession and improve their bottom line.

Some of the features include: Firm Benchmarking, which allows advisors to evaluate themselves against a database of over 50,000 financial advisors; the Advisor eValuation Index tracks data to show present value, five-year projected cash flows and client count forecasts; and a Revenue Forecaster monitors five-year projected revenue, expenses and net income across a firm and its advisors.


Securities America Enhances Technology Offerings
La Vista, Neb.– based Securities America has added a mobile app to Managed Opportunities, the firm’s technology platform.

The platform offers access to over 500 mutual fund and ETF account strategies and more than 125 separately managed account portfolios. Advisors can use the branded mobile app to run proposals, manage client assets, run client reviews and perform research from a tablet at no cost.

“Our focus remains on providing advisors flexible and scalable technology that allows them to be more efficient,” said Janine Wertheim, president, Securities America Advisors.


Baceline Investments Uses Crowdfunding Platform
Baceline Investments partnered with Real Crowd, a crowdfunding platform for the real estate industry, to market its Opportunities Fund. The Real Crowd website connects accredited investors with real estate investment opportunities across the United States.

Baceline is a Denver-based boutique private equity real estate investment company. The Opportunities Fund is designed to invest in commercial properties or loans, located throughout Central America, that have unrecognized potential because they are distressed or have neglected ownership.