Product & Service Launches

Vestwell Unveils Emergency Savings Account Offering

Vestwell introduced an emergency savings account product, an after-tax savings tool that earns interest. The workplace savings option can easily integrate into an employer’s existing benefits package or function as a stand-alone choice.

According to Vestwell, the ESA offers flexible enrollment and contribution options, with competitive interest rates, that allow employers to design a program that incentivizes savings habits they hope to see, whether an employer contribution bonus for opening an account, a dollar-for-dollar match or a reward for hitting an established savings goal. Employer contributions are also customizable, allowing employers to mix and match incentive options.
Employees will be able to contribute directly from a linked bank account and via employer payroll deductions, if the employer chooses to offer this functionality. Using Vestwell’s savings platform, users can view their ESA alongside other accounts, including retirement savings programs and student loan paydown accounts, all in one unified view.

Corebridge Financial Enhances Digital Experience for Retirement Plan Participants

Corebridge Financial introduced a new retirement plan digital experience designed to help participants take action with a streamlined look and feel, simplified navigation and integrated planning tools.

The new Corebridge website features include a personal dashboard, an action bar and a message center that allows participants to take actions on their financial journey. These enhanced website features are also available in the Corebridge retirement app, where savers can enroll in their workplace plan, manage their account and plan for their financial future. This integration of account management capabilities builds on the flexibility of the Corebridge retirement plan website, which is optimized for any device.

Built-in resources in the new platform include a retirement outlook tool, a financial wellness assessment, a financial wellness center and financial professional contact information for participants who work with a Corebridge financial professional.

“Our new retirement plan digital experience puts account details at participants’ fingertips, whether they’re at their desk or on the go,” said Terri Fiedler, Corebridge’s president of retirement services. “It offers so much more than typical account management, providing actionable information and intuitive features that put retirement savers on a personalized path to financial wellness.”

Securian Financial Enhances Its Flagship Indexed Universal Life Insurance Product

Securian Financial launched an enhanced version of its flagship indexed universal life insurance product, Eclipse Accumulator II IUL, an accumulation-focused product issued by Minnesota Life Insurance Co.

“Eclipse Accumulator II IUL builds on our foundation and long history of leadership and innovation in the IUL marketplace,” said Chris Owens, Securian Financial’s vice president of distribution for individual solutions, in a statement.

According to Securian, product highlights include: two new indexed account options, competitive distributions, low charges and high value, and a simple transparent design allowing “clients to feel confident and in control of their financial future.”

Eclipse Accumulator II IUL is available for sale in all states except California, Florida, Oregon and New York. Eclipse Accumulator IUL will continue to be available in California, Florida and Oregon until Eclipse Accumulator II IUL is approved. The product line is not available in New York.

Elm Wealth Introduces Dynamic Index Investing ETF

Investment management firm Elm Wealth has introduced the Elm Market Navigator (NYSE: ELM) exchange-traded fund. It has a 0.26% gross expense ratio and a 2-basis-point management fee waiver, reducing the net expense ratio to 0.24%.

With roughly $362 million in assets, the ETF follows Elm’s Dynamic Index Investing strategy, which “emphasizes maximizing risk-adjusted returns through a globally diversified portfolio that evolves in response to changing market conditions.”

Before being listed, ELM was a private fund initiated at Elm Wealth’s 2011 launch. The ETF can now be purchased through most brokerage firms.

Vanguard Introduces Fixed-Income ETFs

Vanguard launched two fixed-income exchange-traded funds: the Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). The ETFs, both with an estimated expense ratio of 0.07%, will be managed by Josh Barrickman, co-head of fixed income group indexing in the Americas.

The ETFs will offer exposure to U.S. Treasury securities, have short durations and low volatility, and are expected to have tight bid-ask spreads. VGUS will track the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index, which includes U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds with less than 12 months until maturity, and VBIL will track the Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index.

“These new ultra-short Treasury products serve as valuable tools for advisors and investors to build more precise and flexible portfolios, bridging the gap between money market funds and existing ultra-short-term bond offerings in the ETF wrapper,” said Sara Devereux, global head of Vanguard’s fixed-income group. “VGUS and VBIL reflect our drive to provide investors with a more diverse product range and complement our existing line-up of active and passive funds with Vanguard’s signature low costs and management expertise.”