CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates, the leading provider of asset allocation and investment knowledge and tools, today announced its strategic partnership with Financial Profiles. The two firms will collaborate to release a new version of Financial Profiles' flagship product, Profiles+.
According to the agreement, Profiles+ will incorporate components of Ibbotson's Portfolio Strategist asset allocation software tools. Financial Profiles' client base of captive life insurance broker/dealers and financial planners contains roughly 45,000 users of their Profiles+ software system.
"The new release of Profiles+ is a major milestone for Financial Profiles," said Tom Hansch, president of Financial Profiles. "Our loyal client base will be pleased with the enhancements we've added to Profiles+, as well as the new Ibbotson components. We believe that Ibbotson's highly regarded asset allocation tools make this release the leader in its field."
"This new agreement capitalizes on the strengths of both firms," explained Mark Kowalczyk, managing director in charge of sales and marketing for Ibbotson Associates. "Financial Profiles is one of the leaders in needs and estate planning based financial planning tools, and Ibbotson is well-known for its leadership position in the field of asset allocation."
The current version of Profiles+ helps financial professionals determine their clients' accumulation, estate planning, survivor needs, disability, income tax, long-term care, financial statements and financial independence. The new release will incorporate Ibbotson Associates' asset allocation software including Ibbotson's risk tolerance questionnaires, model portfolios, historical calculations and conceptual images with its existing modules.
Phase one of the integrated version of Profiles+ with Ibbotson Associates software will be available in the fourth quarter of 2000.
Ibbotson Associates
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1976, is the world's leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals make the best asset allocation decisions for their clients.
The company's business lines include consulting and research; investment forecasting, planning and analysis software; educational services ranging from on-site workshops to computer-based training; and a widely used line of presentation materials designed to educate clients on asset allocation concepts and investment principles. With offices in Chicago and New York, Ibbotson Associates fills a growing need in the finance and investment industry for an independent, single-source provider of investment knowledge, practical application expertise, leading-edge technology, educational services and sales presentation tools. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors, and consultants for quantitative analysis, high level decision making and presentations. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small-money managers.
Financial Profiles
On August 1, 1998, Financial Profiles became a subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation, a Fortune 500 holding company for a diversified group of insurance and financial service companies. Allmerica ranks among the top 10 leading providers of variable annuities, the 20 largest sellers of variable life insurance, and the top 30 providers of property and casualty insurance.
Financial Profiles began in 1969 as a service bureau offering needs analysis reports for insurance and financial services representatives worldwide. Today, Financial Profiles offers comprehensive, needs-based planning software, as well as Internet services, superior support, and customer training to the financial services industry. For more information about this or other Financial Profiles services, visit the company's web site at www.profiles.com.