Securities America Offers Retirement Workshop
Securities America is launching an interactive workshop to help financial advisors explore retirement issues with clients.
Based in Omaha, Neb., and including 1,600 financial professionals, Securities America is introducing Imagine Workshop to help clients prepare emotionally, physically and spiritually, as well as financially, for retirement. The interactive workshop is designed to help advisors who embrace a holistic, life-planning approach to clients' retirement. Additional information is available at www.securitiesamerica.com.
CDARS Offers Insurance Protection
A new network of banks is offering Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS), a service that enables investors to make deposits up to $50 million that are still insured through the FDIC. The participating bank uses CDARS to place funds into CDs issued by other banks in the network in increments of less than the standard FDIC insurance maximum. Other network members do the same with their clients' funds and the full amount of the deposit is brought back to the original bank, making it available to the investor. Additional information is available at www.cdars.com.
Virtus Becomes Independent Firm
The SEC approved the spin-off of Virtus Investment Partners Inc., formerly a subsidiary of The Phoenix Companies Inc., into an independent, publicly traded asset management firm.
The spin-off was approved by the Phoenix Board of directors in December and went into effect at the end of 2008.
The change will occur through a pro-rata dividend of Virtus common stock to Phoenix's shareholders at a ratio of one share of Virtus stock for every 20 shares of Phoenix stock held.
FTSE Series Adds New Indexes
The FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Series has added 12 new emerging markets indices.
Additional information is available at www.ftse.com/realestate or www.ftse.com/country.