Allstate Variable Annuity Features Innovative Options
The Allstate Advisor Variable Annuity now offers more choices for maximum retirement planning flexibility.
One feature is the SureIncome Withdrawal Benefit Option, which helps those who wish to protect their principal but pursue potential growth in the stock market. Withdrawal amounts can be up to 8% of the principal per year.
The TrueReturn Accumulation Benefit Option guarantees that on the date customers choose (the rider maturity date) they will have at least the principal they started with; Allstate will add money to the variable annuity to increase it to the guarantee amount.
The Spousal Protection (co-annuitant) Benefit provides a death benefit for IRA owners and their spouses as co-annuitants under one annuity contract. By choosing this option, a surviving spouse will receive the death benefit should one spouse pass away.
These options incur annual charges. Financial advisors seeking information and a prospectus can register and log on to www.accessallstate.com. Broker-dealers may call (877) 507-6881 for more information. Financial institutions and independent planners may call (877) 254-0772.

Commonwealth Launches Marketing Campaign
Commonwealth Financial Network is launching four new representative-focused marketing campaigns under one practice management initiative entitled E=MC2, or Efficient Marketing Campaigns from Commonwealth.
A new campaign will be available at no cost to Commonwealth representatives each quarter of 2005: The first will target small business owners, the second will help representatives build strategic alliances with local attorneys and accountants, the third will target women in investing, and the final campaign will guide representatives in providing concierge-level service to their wealthiest clients.
Commonwealth Financial Network is a privately owned, national independent broker-dealer with offices in Waltham, Mass., and San Diego.

SSgA Launches "Portfolio Constructor" Investment Tool
State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has launched SSgA Portfolio Constructor, a program to design and construct sophisticated client portfolios.
Portfolio Constructor enables advisors to quickly assess a client's risk tolerance and construct customized portfolios accordingly, using an exhaustive range of investment strategies and asset classes. It is available on the Advisor Strategies homepage at www.advisors.ssga.com.

Park Avenue Securities Unveils ETF Managed Solutions Program
Park Avenue Securities LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, has begun a new asset management program exclusively utilizing exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Some of the program‚s features are tax efficiency and trading flexibility, low expense ratios, the ability to invest in an entire market segment and continuous pricing through the same intraday liquidity as other securities that trade on a major exchange. More information can be obtained at www.guardianlife.com.

Fidelity Launches International Fund
Fidelity Investments in January launched Fidelity Advisor International Discovery Fund (Classes A, T, B, C, and Institutional), a broadly diversified international fund available through advisors and designed for investors seeking exposure to equities outside the United States.
The Discovery Fund gives advisors access to an international fund that can be used either as a stand-alone investment or as the core building block of an international portfolio. It seeks long-term growth of capital by normally investing primarily in non-U.S. common stocks, and uses the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index2 as its benchmark.
For more information visit www.fidelity.com.

BNY Links Platform To SunGard Network
BNY Brokerage Inc., a member of BNY Securities Group and a subsidiary of The Bank of New York, has linked its DEx(Direct Execution Services) trading platform with the SunGard Transaction Network (STN).
This connection will expand the trading capabilities of all order management system clients integrated with STN, and provide users with automated direct access to all electronic markets.
Additional information is available at www.bnybrokerage.com.