Scudder Kemper Investments and Warburg Pincus Asset Management have joined Vestek Select, a new mutual fund research program. Launched in the fourth quarter of 1998, Vestek Select provides fund organizations and their third-party distributors with detailed and forward-looking analysis based on actual mutual fund holdings.

"With the help of Vestek Select, we're able to work more efficiently with our distributors, " said Jeff Keselman, vice president, Strategic Alliances, Scudder Kemper Investments. "As the program grows, we look forward to increased exposure for our mutual fund products."

"Thanks to Vestek Select, the research that has been standard for institutions is now available to our distribution partners," said Steve Plump, executive vice president, Warburg Pincus Funds. "The program is helping us meet the information demands of our distribution partners. At the same time, it allows us to retain control, with minimal effort, of when and how our fund information is released."

Vestek Select is offered by Vestek, a unit of Primark (PMK)and allows fund companies to provide distributors with the facts, figures and analysis that address the issues in buying and monitoring mutual funds. Participating fund companies electronically transmit their holdings information to Vestek on a monthly basis. Vestek Select analyzes this information and produces fund profile reports.

In addition to using the profiles for self-evaluation, fund companies specify which third-party distributors are permitted to receive their information. They also determine how frequently the reports are sent and the level of information -- either holdings information or summary characteristics -- that each distributor receives.

"As distributors evolve toward a more advisory role, they're demanding more detailed information from fund companies," said Keith Webster, managing director, Vestek. "Vestek Select enables fund companies to provide the information and analysis distributors need to accurately match funds with client objectives. We believe that fund companies who can meet this growing demand for comprehensive information will gain a powerful marketing advantage."

 

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