RoboWholesaler Offers Online Access To Top 10 Fund Fact Sheets

The RoboWholesaler platform makes it easy for financial advisors to review fund performance rankings and receive up-to-date fund fact sheets for top-performing funds in just three clicks.

The brainchild of industry veteran Laurie Marchel, the site aggregates fund fact sheets and wholesaler information for the top 10 performing equity and fixed-income mutual funds in dozens of categories, ranked only by performance and updated in real time.
All featured funds are Class A, Class I or Class N fund shares, excluding sales charges and other fees and expenses. Funds are selected quarterly, based on performance.

TradeZero Launches Commission-Free Stock Trading Platforms

TradeZero, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based online broker-dealer, has launched commission-free stock trading for retail traders and investors through a suite of advanced, user-friendly desktop, web-based and mobile platforms.

The ZeroPro platform is targeted to active traders. It features dynamic streaming quotes, hot keys, charting and Level 2 stock data, as well as customizable windows.

The ZeroWeb platform provides users with easy-to-use software and many of the same features as ZeroPro, in addition to a customizable layout and streaming news.

The ZeroFree platform offers free Level 1 streaming market data on the NYSE, Nasdaq and AMEX. Level 2 data is available as an optional add-on.

The TradeZero mobile app, native iOS and Android applications allow users to transact on-the-go trades.

Market access for all platforms is available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with 24/7 customer support.

Vanguard Releases First Actively Managed ESG Fund

Vanguard has launched the Global ESG Select Stock Fund, its first actively managed environmental, social and governance (ESG) fund.

The firm will employ an active portfolio integration strategy that identifies and selects about 40 companies demonstrating exemplary, longstanding ESG practices, strong business fundamentals and prudent capital allocation.

The fund’s advisor, Wellington Management Company LLP, will focus on enhancing long-term returns and controlling risks.

HiddenLevers, Orion Partner To Deliver Business Intelligence Insights

HiddenLevers, an Atlanta-based fintech company providing risk applications and analytics to the wealth management industry, is partnering with software company Orion Advisor Services LLC in Omaha, Neb., to deliver business intelligence insights to Orion clients.

Both firms have collaborated in the past on portfolio sync and proposal generation for advisors. They are now expanding on their previous work by integrating Orion’s business intelligence components with HiddenLevers’ Risk Monitor.

The integrated Risk Monitor uses HiddenLevers’ iconic stress testing to provide Orion C-suite executives with flexible revenue modeling to incorporate a firm’s fee schedules, client growth, contributions, net flow, current asset allocation and more. The system will monitor revenue, risk, drift from investment policy statements and advisor performance.

Advisor Group Announces Rollout of eQuipt FP

The Phoenix-based Advisor Group, one of the nation’s largest networks of independent broker-dealers, has launched eQuipt FP, a financial planning system offering advisors new business growth opportunities.

The system is designed to maximize access to comprehensive financial planning services, and to provide consulting solutions for retail investors across the net worth and demographic spectrum. eQuipt FP offers multiple payment options and digitally enabled new client onboarding functionality.

The payment platform is powered by third-party payment processor Stripe and can accept onetime or recurring fees. eQuipt FP enables advisors to contract for financial planning or consulting services digitally, and allows clients to electronically sign service agreements.

The system includes integrated compliance tools, such as a consolidated check log, plan storage and contracting and disclosure delivery.

Alpha Architect Launches Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF

The Alpha Architect Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) is offering socially responsible investment opportunities in emerging markets worldwide.

The fund tracks the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index across a universe of 26 emerging market countries screened for country-level market capitalization, then assigns freedom scores based on 79 quantified freedom variables.

Countries with freer markets that promote human rights and economic freedom are assessed higher scores, while those that are human rights offenders are excluded. The end result is a portfolio with about 100 holdings called the “freedom premium.”

Based in Broomall, Pa., Alpha Architect is a money management firm that entered the ETF space in 2014. It now has five factor-focused ETFs with $392 million in total assets under management.