Pershing Launches Managed Account Network
Pershing LLC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Co. Inc., has launched Managed Account Network, an open-architecture platform that allows broker-dealer firms to offer their clients a wide range of managed account solutions from turnkey asset management program providers.
FundQuest is the first provider to be on the network, with services including mutual fund managed, separately managed and unified managed accounts. FundQuest's open architecture asset management platform is available as both an off-the-shelf and private-label product solution.
Through Managed Account Network, Pershing correspondent, or introducing, broker-dealer customers also can access external asset management program providers such as Lockwood Advisors, Envestnet Asset Management, Morningstar Investment Services and Tercet Capital LLC, and hold the related assets in custody at Pershing.
Pershing has offered a broad selection of managed account services, including turnkey and private label platforms since 1991. Through Pershing's affiliate, Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC, independent registered investment advisors have been able to access an open architecture platform and the managed account services of various external program providers since 2001.
Additional information is available at http://www.pershing.com.

John Hancock Adds Allocation Options
John Hancock Annuities has added three asset allocation options to the John Hancock Trust, the investment platform available in the company's variable annuity products.
The new asset allocation options are Franklin Templeton Founding Allocation, American Asset Allocation and American Funds Global Diversification.
More information on John Hancock, a unit of Manulife Financial Corp., can be found at http://www.johnhancock.com.

Matrix Buys Interest In Research Firm
Matrix Settlement and Clearance Services LLC has purchased a majority interest in Prima Capital Holding Inc., a provider of research, due diligence and technology solutions for financial services companies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Prima Capital's research, analytics, due diligence and portfolio modeling tools enable Matrix to offer a broader base of products and services to third-party administrators and retirement advisors, as well as its bank customers.
Prima Capital, which has 15 employees, will continue to operate independently in Denver.

Commonwealth Providing Customized Newsletter Service
Commonwealth Financial Network is partnering with Forefield Inc. to provide its advisors customizable wealth management newsletters to share with existing and prospective clients.
Advisors can choose from a wide variety of NASD-reviewed wealth management articles to create each newsletter. Each newsletter can be customized with an advisor's proprietary content and branding, such as logo and color scheme. Newsletters can be distributed via e-mail, Web site or standard mail.

WAI Offers Insurance For Advisors
The Wealth Advisor Institute (WAI) is offering its members comprehensive medical, life and disability insurance through the WAI Group Insurance Plan.
The plan offers major medical, dental, vision, disability and life coverage; a selection of voluntary products and discounts; and a guaranteed rate for each enrollment year.
For more information on the WAI Group Insurance Plan, please visit http://www.wealthadvisorinstitute.com.

Vanguard ETF Targeting MSCI Indexes
Vanguard has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for its fifth international ETF, which will seek to track the performance of the widely followed Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index, an unmanaged benchmark of more than 1,150 stocks in 21 developed foreign countries.
The new Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF is expected to feature an expense ratio of 0.15% and to launch in third-quarter of 2007.