Envestnet Partners With Fund Evaluation Group
Envestnet has partnered with Fund Evaluation Group (FEG) to form the Hedge Fund Research Alliance. As part of the partnership, advisors will have access to research and due diligence reports on more than 40 hedge funds and hedge funds of funds covered by FEG. The research will be available on the Envestnet platform.

FEG, an independently owned investment-consulting firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio, provides portfolio management and research services to institutions and financial advisors. The firm monitors hedge fund managers through performance analysis, quarterly conference calls and face-to-face meetings.

As a result of the partnership, advisors will have access to manager and strategy overviews, fund terms and service providers, historical performance and exposure detail. They will also have access to quarterly monitoring reports, including quantitative analysis and commentary on quarterly performance and organizational updates.

"This partnership is the natural progression of Envestnet's commitment to providing advisors with a better way to manage wealth," says James Patrick, managing director, advisor-managed programs, Envestnet. "FEG is leading the movement to democratize investing in hedge fund strategies, and we believe their research and due diligence process complements and enhances the solutions on our platform."

1st Global Offers CPA Consulting Service
Dallas-based 1st Global Capital Corp. is offering a new program for CPA firms looking to expand their wealth management services. The Wealth Management Feasibility Analysis and Consultation service is designed to increase the overall profitability of CPA firms and offer them business strategies. The new consulting program offers support, technology and education so firms can offer more services to existing clients and target new prospects.

Lincoln Financial Adds Lifetime Protection
The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company of Fort Wayne, Ind., now offers Lincoln VUL ONE, an annuity that provides a guaranteed lifetime death benefit, along with the potential to build market-driven cash values. It is the first product available with the new Lincoln LifeEnhance Accelerated Benefits Rider, which provides access to tax-advantaged funds in the event of an unexpected permanent chronic or terminal illness. In addition, if the policy cash value reaches a predetermined threshold, clients can choose to stop paying the premium early and access their excess cash for income without impacting the guaranteed death benefit.

National Advisors Trust Expands Services
National Advisors Trust now offers trust administration services to RIA firms on the three largest custodian platforms:  Schwab, Fidelity and TD Ameritrade. Previously, National Advisors Trust required trust accounts to be kept on its own platform.

"The ability for the RIA to choose the trust custody platform that is most convenient for the RIA has been a desire held by many of our firms for a long time," says Ron Ferguson, CEO of National Advisors Trust.
In addition, those RIAs leveraging National Advisors Trust's private label trust program will be able to extend their brand to the trust accounts held on other custody platforms. 

Funds Offer Tail Risk Protection
F-Squared Investments, based in Newton, Mass., will serve as subadvisor on the newly launched Reliance Trust AlphaSector Target Risk Collective Trust Funds. The series of five risk-based portfolios is aimed at 401(k) plan sponsors who are looking for retirement investments that offer diversification and an active process of managing the threat of significant market losses, or tail risk.

The AlphaSector Target Risk Funds employ strategies designed to lower risk by eliminating sectors within each asset class that are expected to generate near-term losses for investors. They may also invest in cash equivalents to minimize losses from equity and fixed-income investments.

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