CMC Interactive, Ingham Retirement Group, APA Benefits and KTRADE have selected SunGard’s new Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) solution, which SunGard launched in July 2009 to help advisors and third party administrators (TPAs) seamlessly incorporate iShares ETFs as standard options in retirement plans. All four firms use SunGard’s Reliusemployee benefitrecordkeeping and administrative solution and the SunGard Transaction Network (STN) to facilitate connectivity and trading with iShares.
Michael Calandra, co-founder and principal of CMC Interactive, said, “With SunGard’s ETF solution, we can add ETFs seamlessly to our existing trading operations. The process is similar to that of mutual funds, providing an easy set-up process while helping us gain the operational and cost efficiencies of offering ETFs and mutual funds within the same plan.”
In recent years, there has been an upsurge in popularity with ETFs among financial advisors and their clients. iShares ETFs offer investors reasonable and transparent fees, a flexible investment lineup and risk management through portfolio diversification. SunGard’s ETF solution provides a cost-effective, automated solution to help defined contribution plans add ETFs to their retirement plans using a single software provider for integrated trading, recordkeeping and custodial services.
Jared Hanks, vice president at APA Benefits, said, “SunGard’s ETF solution provides the capabilities we need to include ETFs in our 401(k) plans in an integrated environment. As a result, we are able to provide more diversified investment options and more transparent, differentiated offerings to our clients.”
Although SunGard’s ETF solution works in conjunction with many recordkeeping systems and TPAs, advisors using SunGard’s Omni and Relius benefit administration recordkeeping platforms are able to access and trade iShares ETFs through an integrated link to STN. STN helps streamline trading and data flows between iShares and recordkeeping and accounting systems. For custody and settlement services, SunGard is leveraging the ETFxChange platform provided by Mid-Atlantic Trust Company (MATC).
Kevin Rafferty, president of SunGard’s wealth management business, said, “ETFs continue to establish themselves as a key market differentiator for benefit administrators and advisors. SunGard’s ETF solution helps provide TPAs and advisors with an efficient and reliable platform for adding ETFs to plans using a familiar process, while helping them to deliver a broader set of investment options to help clients fund their retirement.”
SunGard is a leading provider of wealth management solutions that help banks, trust companies, brokerage firms, insurance firms, benefit administrators and independent advisors acquire, service and grow their client relationships.
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