CHICAGO, Dec. 20, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Matrix Advisory Services, L.L.C. ("MAS"), a subsidiary of Matrix Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:MTXC), today announced the launch of its mutual fund asset management services program (the "AMS Program"). The AMS Program services include a suite of Internet-ready account management tools that can be branded and customized by financial institutions, such as banks, broker-dealers, trust companies, mutual fund companies and registered investment advisors (the "Institutions"). The Institutions can mix and match the tools to fill a gap in their current asset management system or to create a complete turnkey asset management and account administration solution that includes the option of model portfolios designed exclusively by Ibbotson Associates, a leader in the field of mutual fund asset allocation.
"This AMS Program allows the user to have a private labeled, end-to-end asset management and administration program without setup charges that might otherwise include a software purchase and/or up front development costs," said John Moody, CEO of MAS. "Through our relationship with Ibbotson Associates, users also have access to mutual fund model portfolios built by an independent mutual fund asset allocation specialists."
"This AMS Program gives users a flexible platform with all of the benefits of an in-house developed investment planning system without implementation delays and maintenance costs. This is a great solution for RIAs, broker-dealers, banks and all financial institutions with wealth management programs," said Mark Kowalczyk, Managing Director of sales and marketing at Ibbotson Associates."
Some of the specific AMS Program features include: client profiling, portfolio recommendations, automated rebalancing and AIMR compliant reporting. "Program features such as automated trade execution and a full custodial interface offered through MAS' affiliates make this product a truly integrated and innovative end-to-end solution in the world of mutual fund asset allocation," said Mark Muchnik, Vice President of MAS.
About Matrix Advisory Services, L.L.C.
Matrix Advisory Services, L.L.C. was formed in 2001 as a subsidiary of Matrix Bancorp, Inc., a unitary thrift holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Matrix Advisory Services is a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission and provider of a customized turnkey asset management solution and a suite of Internet-ready account management tools. Matrix Bancorp, through its subsidiaries, focuses on traditional banking services, mortgage banking services, brokerage/consulting services, and trust/clearing activities, all of which work together to provide an integrated financial services resource.
For more information about Matrix Advisory Services, visit our Web site at www.MAS-AMS.com.
About Ibbotson Associates
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1977, is a leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals obtain, manage and retain assets.
The company's business lines include investment consulting and research; planning and analysis software; wealth forecasting; educational services and a widely used line of NASD-reviewed presentation materials. With offices in Chicago, New York and Tokyo, Ibbotson Associates provides integrated investment knowledge, leading-edge technology, multi-conceptual education and a variety of sales presentation solutions. 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.