Product & Service Launches

FIDX Launches Outsourced Insurance Desk to Help RIAs Incorporate Annuity Solutions

Fiduciary Exchange LLC (FIDX) and its broker dealer, FIDX Markets, announced the launch of FIDX Desk, a new outsources insurance desk, which will enable registered investment advisers and fee-based financial professionals to “effortlessly integrate annuity products into their offerings, regardless of their insurance licensing status.”

FIDX Desk aims to tackle obstacles that RIAs face, enabling them to present the potential advantages of annuity solutions—such as income and legacy planning—to their clients.

In addition, FIDX Desk will help RIAs manage investments in annuities that were previously purchased through former broker dealers. There is no additional fee to financial professionals who use FIDX Desk, according to a press release.

Financial professionals are able to research annuity products, oversee the application process and advise on a client’s annuity all on one platform. Clients will also have access to a wide array of annuity products from “some of the most well-known insurers in the industry.”

CAPTRUST Selects CAIS to Streamline Alternative Investments

CAIS, an alternative investment platform for independent financial advisers, announced it will partner with CAPTRUST, one of the nation’s largest financial advisory firms with more than $800 billion in client assets under advisement. CAPTRUST advisers will leverage CAIS’ SaaS technology to consolidate their alternative investment products and processes onto a single platform, creating an “enhanced, unified alts experience,” according to the firms.

“We are thrilled to work with CAIS to offer our advisors best-in-class technology enhanced by a dedicated advisor-facing team of professionals to streamline their alternative investing experience,” said Michael J. Vogelzang, managing director and chief investment officer at CAPTRUST, in a press release. “Working with CAIS will play a critical role in eliminating the operational burdens typically associated with investing in alternatives and creating a more streamlined and scalable solution for our clients.”

The SaaS technology, CAIS Solutions, enables independent financial advisers to centralize their fund positions through automated processes across the entire alternative investment lifecycle.

CAPTRUST’s advisers will also have access to integrated adviser education via CAIS IQ, expanded support for structured investments, and dedicated coverage through CAIS’ more than 70 adviser-facing professionals. The CAIS platform will also provide “seamless integrations” into CAPTRUST’s custodians and reporting providers, including BNY Mellon’s Pershing, Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab and Black Diamond, for more efficient data management and reporting.

The announcement comes shortly after Baird, an international wealth and asset management firm, expanded its relationship with CAIS to consolidate all its alternative investment products and processes onto a single platform.

Vontobel Launches International Equity Fund

Vontobel launched its international equity fund as part of a new series of mutual funds, investing in companies primarily domiciled outside the U.S. in both developed and emerging markets.

The fund seeks to invest long-term in companies with stable, predictable and sustainable earnings growth. The fund officially launched with client backing of $146 million as of April 22.

“The impressive 33-year track record of our Quality Growth International Equity Strategy underscores our commitment to consistently providing clients with strong, risk-adjusted returns over the long term,” said Matthew Benkendorf, chief investment officer of Vontobel’s quality growth team, in a press release. “We look forward to expanding the reach of our investment strategy at industry-competitive fees to serve US investors looking for high-quality international exposure.”

Vontobel is also working toward launching additional mutual funds this year, including one based on its global equity strategy. The firm has selected SEI to provide the infrastructure to power the network and new products.