Pershing Launches ETC Information Center
A one-stop information center on exchange-traded funds has been created by Pershing LLC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., and is available to introducing broker-dealers and independent registered investment advisors.
The Pershing ETF Center provides detailed information on nearly 600 ETFs, including profiles of the funds, performance reports, holdings, news and expense information. Also featured at the ETF center is a search function to identify ETFs that meet certain investment criteria, such as asset class, market capitalization, investment risk, specific industry sectors and geographical diversification. The center uses tools and other data from Morningstar Inc.
The Bank of New York Mellon was one of the first firms to support ETFs and is now a servicer of ETFs worldwide. It offers ETFs a range of sub-advisory and portfolio management services.
Pershing LLC is a global provider of financial business solutions and its affiliate, Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC, serves independent, fee-based RIAs and registered reps for Pershing LLC‚s introducing broker-dealer customers.
"Our new ETF Center provides our customers with a wide range of analytical tools and educational information regarding ETFs," says Ron Fiske, Pershing managing director of the product management and development group. Additional information is available at http://www.pershingadvisorsolutions.com.

Curian Capital Creates Diversification Platform
Curian Capital has created a new customized portfolio platform known as the Defensive Implementation Strategy, designed to make investors more confident dealing with the downside of the current volatile market.
The new strategy, part of the separately managed accounts offered through Curian‚s Custom Style Portfolios, will typically invest in securities with less price volatility.
Curian, a fee-based registered investment advisor, also is offering greater diversification benefits in its fixed-income and international portfolios by including exposure to high-yield and international bonds through investments in exchange traded funds.
Additional information can be found at http://www.curian.com or by calling 877-847-4192.

MassMutual Increases Retirement Offerings
The number of deferred variable annuities offered by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in its Retirement Income product portfolio are being increased to provide more guaranteed income and investment choices.
The new MassMutual Lifetime Payment Plus guarantees a minimum withdrawal benefit for retirees. Guaranteed minimums increase for each year withdrawals are deferred.
Also, MassMutual is launching five new Asset Allocation fund-of-funds to provide more choices within the deferred variable annuities offered, with funds offering differing levels of risk.

Jackson Adds Mutual Fund Offerings
Jackson National Life Insurance Co. is increasing its portfolio offerings by adding two new mutual funds.
The Jackson Perspective VIP Fund is designed as a total return strategy, and the Jackson Perspective S&P 4 Fund is a capital appreciation fund that invests in equal amounts of four S&P separate strategies made up of common stocks within the S&P 500 Index.
Additional information on the new funds or existing ones can be found at www.jnl.com.

Dow Jones Launches Faith-Based Index
Dharma Investments, a private, faith-based investment firm specializing in investments that conform to Hindu and Buddhist religious principles, is partnering with Dow Jones Indexes to launch Dow Jones Dharma Indexes. The new index measures the performance of companies that meet Dharma‚s value system.
The Dow Jones Dharma Index series includes the Dow Jones Dharma Global Index, as well a four country indexes for the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and India. The indexes are designed to underlie financial products that facilitate investments in companies that are compliant with Dharmic religious traditions.
Additional information can be found at http://www.djindexes.com.

Oppenheimer Offers New Fixed Fund
OppenheimerFunds Inc. is launching Oppenheimer Portfolio Series Fixed Income Active Allocation Fund, which will be handled by multiple fund managers engaging in active asset allocation. The fund will invest in diversified fixed-income sectors and can serve as the complete fixed-income allocation within an investor‚s portfolio.
The fund will typically include an 80% investment in a core allocation of taxable fixed-income funds and 20% in an active component.