Adviser Product Partnerships

Workplace Software Manager Asure Taps Vestwell for 401(k) Plan Offering

Asure Software, a workplace software and human resources management provider, has partnered with 401(k) plan provider Vestwell on a retirement plan offering for Asure clients.

The Asure 401(k) plan will be run with Vestwell’s recordkeeping technology to offer small and mid-sized businesses with a workplace savings program.

“The Asure 401(k) plan will not only enable our clients to secure their future but also assist in attracting and retaining the best talent, a critical factor for growth,” Pat Goepel, CEO of Asure Software, said in a statement. “Furthermore, we are excited to be able to help businesses navigate state-mandated retirement plans, as well as the tax credit opportunities afforded by the Secure Act 2.0.”

The Asure 401(k) plan will be available to Asure clients in the “very near future,” according to an announcement.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to partner with Asure, who shares our commitment to delivering value-add impact to their clients and users,” Aaron Schumm, founder and CEO of Vestwell, said in a statement.

NFP Partners With Ascend on Insurance Billing Platform

Insurance, retirement, and benefits consultant NFP has agreed to partner with financial operations provider Ascend on its automated billing platform.

The agreement gives NFP insurance clients access to an automated financing, collections, and payables system designed to streamline premium collection, premium financing, and carrier payables, according to an announcement.

“Our engagement with NFP is a significant step towards achieving our goal of modernizing the financial infrastructure of the insurance industry,” Andrew Wynn, Co-CEO of Ascend, said in a statement. “We are committed to delivering a best-in-class experience to NFP and their clients by enhancing the speed and efficiency for managing their accounting and payments workflows.”

Ascend’s technology seeks to cut down on workflow and provide transparency to payment processing and enable insurance organizations to be more profitable, according to the company. NFP, a property and casualty broker, has more than 8,000 employees.

NAIC and U.S. Bancorp Partner to Boost Investment in Diverse-Owned Alternative Managers

 The National Association of Investment Companies, a network of diverse-owned alternative investment firms, and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance have entered a three-year agreement with the goal of boosting engagement and investment with diverse alternative asset managers.

U.S. Bankcorp’s Impact Finance funding will have a specific focus on Black and Latinx-led managers, according to an announcement. The work will include “customized programming,” diverse manager roadshows, and direct introductions to potential clients.

“By supporting NAIC’s programs and initiatives, Impact Finance will help our members build meaningful relationships with capital allocators and empower the next generation of ethnically diverse and female general partners,” Robert L. Greene, president & CEO of NAIC, said in a statement.

Impact Finance will sponsor NAIC’s annual Establishing the Next Generation of Alternative Investment Firms Symposia, a series of virtual sessions. It will also fund the NAIC virtual LP Meetup, which facilitates connections for NAIC member firms with institutional investors.

“We are committed to supporting diverse-owned alternative investment managers,” Torrence Moore, head of access to capital and DEI, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, said in a statement. “NAIC’s membership and programming will help us invest in their success as we look forward to playing a role in increasing their opportunities and making access to capital more equitable.”

OneAmerica, Ensight Partner On Long-Term Care Program for Advisers

 OneAmerica and long-term care and annuity sales provider Ensight are partnering on a long-term-care planning program for advisers to enable  informed conversations with their clients on options.

The Asset Care Sales Story is designed to help advisers have long-term care conversations with clients to get them to consider appropriate options.

“It’s very clear that clients expect to be having conversations about LTC with their financial advisers, but that’s not happening enough,” Jeff Levin, vice president, Care Solutions Distribution at OneAmerica, said in a statement. “By leveraging Ensight’s sales story platform, more people will receive the information they need to make an informed and educated decision regarding LTC planning and be financially secure in their future.”

The new Ensight-based Asset Care Sales Story experience was scheduled to be available to OneAmerica distribution partners on Aug. 14.