Transamerica has hired Michael Petko as executive vice president, national sales manager for mutual funds. Petko was most recently senior vice president, Western division sales manager for the national broker-dealer channel at Evergreen Investments. This appointment falls in line with Transamerica IDEX's desire to get on new distribution platforms following their win at the Lipper fund awards. Among Petko's future plans at the company is to capture more of financial professionals' "mindshare" with the company's innovation, discipline, and expertise. Also, being front of mind isn't bad for sales, either. -ed.

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Transamerica Capital, Inc. today announced the appointment of Michael Petko as Executive Vice President, National Sales Manager for Mutual Funds. In this role, Mr. Petko will head the distribution efforts for Transamerica IDEX Mutual Funds, a leading provider of multi-manager fund solutions for financial professionals and their clients.

“Mike brings energy and passion to Transamerica Capital, and I look forward to his leadership in helping us grow our mutual fund business,” said Lon Olejniczak, Managing Director and Chief Distribution Officer at Transamerica Capital.

Mr. Petko came to Transamerica Capital from Evergreen Investments, where he was Senior Vice President, Western Division Sales Manager for the National Broker Dealer Channel. He previously served as Regional Vice President for Evergreen’s Southern California Territory. In addition, Mr. Petko worked in sales at Equitable/AXA and Allstate.

“My aim for the Transamerica IDEX brand is to capture a bigger part of financial professionals’ mindshare through our product innovation, disciplined investment processes, and depth of expertise,” said Mr. Petko. “Our culture fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, and I specifically want to capitalize on the power of the people behind our funds. Our people are one of the strongest advantages we have in the industry.”

Transamerica IDEX recently took top honors at the 2007 Lipper Fund Awards, winning Best Mixed-Asset Fund Family among 23 Small Fund Families. The Transamerica IDEX family of mutual funds includes: four Asset Allocation Portfolios with strategic allocation, fund selection, and portfolio construction by Morningstar Associates, LLC; the TA IDEX Multi-Manager International Fund and TA IDEX Multi-Manager Alternative Strategies Fund with portfolio construction by Morningstar Associates; and funds sub-advised by Transamerica Investment Management, LLC, an affiliated company. Morningstar Associates, a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc., is the portfolio construction manager to the asset allocation and multi-manager funds.

About Transamerica IDEX Mutual Funds Transamerica IDEX, an AEGON company, has provided multi-manager mutual funds to financial professionals and their clients since 1985. The fund company uses outside firms, as well as affiliated firms, as sub-advisers in the management of its funds. Transamerica IDEX has more than $10 billion in assets under management and is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. For more information, please visit the company’s web site at www.TransamericaIDEX.com.

About Transamerica Capital Transamerica Capital, an AEGON company, is the wholesaling broker/dealer for Transamerica IDEX Mutual Funds. The company partners with financial professionals at wirehouse, regional, independent, and bank firms to provide mutual fund, annuity, and life insurance solutions for clients’ financial needs. Transamerica Capital is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

About Transamerica Investment Management, LLC Transamerica Investment Management (“TIM”), an AEGON company, is a leading asset management firm serving both retail and institutional clients. Its predecessor firm, Transamerica Investment Services, Inc., started in 1967, and TIM was formed in 1999. TIM’s investment strategies include growth and value equity, fixed income, balanced, and convertible securities. As of December 31, 2006, TIM managed more than $23.4 billion in equity and fixed-income assets in mutual funds, funds-of-funds, retirement plans, separately managed accounts, institutional accounts, pension funds, and variable insurance accounts.

About AEGON AEGON is one of the world’s largest life insurance and pension companies, and a provider of investment products. The company empowers its local business units to identify and provide products and services that meet the evolving needs of customers, using distribution channels best suited to local markets. AEGON takes pride in balancing a local approach with the power of an expanding global operation.

With headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, AEGON companies employ approximately 27,000 people. AEGON’s established markets include the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In addition, AEGON is present in more than 20 other markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Respect, quality, transparency, and trust constitute AEGON’s core values as the company continually strives to meet the expectations of customers, shareholders, employees, and business partners. AEGON is driven to deliver new thinking and has ambition to be the best in the industry.

Mutual funds are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses associated with mutual funds before investing. The prospectus contains this and additional important information about the funds. Contact your financial professional or call Transamerica IDEX at 1-888-233-4339 for a prospectus, and read it carefully before investing.

Transamerica IDEX Mutual Funds are distributed by AFSG Securities Corporation. On or after May 1, 2007, AFSG Securities Corporation will cease to be the distributing firm. At that time, affiliate Transamerica Capital, Inc., Member NASD, will become the distributor. 

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