Investment Product and Service Launches

Art by Jackson Epstein

AssetMark Announces Values-Driven Investment Program and Inaugural ESG Report

AssetMark, a provider of wealth management and technology solutions for financial advisers, has announced the launch of a values-driven investing program, as well as the release of its inaugural ESG report.

According to estimates by Bloomberg Intelligence, assets in ESG-related investments are projected to grow over 40% to $50 trillion by 2025. AssetMark’s new values-driven investment solutions give advisers the ability to align their clients’ portfolios with their personal values while remaining consistent with their overall financial goals. The first set of strategies launching on the AssetMark platform include the BlackRock Target Allocation ESG Models, Nuveen ESG Growth Model Portfolios, Brown Advisory Large-Cap Sustainable Growth and the AllianceBernstein Sustainable Global Thematic ADR Portfolio.

In addition to the four strategies, advisers will have access to a robust suite of resources, including client discovery tools, due diligence resources, ESG/impact reporting and educational materials.

In conjunction with the launch of AssetMark’s values-driven investing program, the company also released its first ESG report. Prepared in accordance with the accounting standards published by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, the report highlights the company’s current sustainability initiatives, practices and objectives.

Dimensional Lists Three New Emerging Markets Equity ETFs

Dimensional Fund Advisors has announced the listing of three emerging markets equity ETFs that offer a diversified exposure to core, value and high-profitability equities within emerging markets.

“Dimensional’s expanded ETF suite leverages the firm’s 40-year track record of thoughtful portfolio design and flexible, cost-efficient implementation,” says Gerard O’Reilly, co-CEO and chief investment officer. “Investors can benefit from these funds’ broadly diversified exposure to emerging markets, delivered with a robust, systematic and scalable pursuit of higher expected returns.”

The new funds, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, are: Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF, with a net expense ratio of 0.39%; Emerging Markets Value ETF, with a net expense ratio of 0.43%; and Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, with a net expense ratio of 0.41%.

The three new funds join the growing lineup of Dimensional ETFs, which now amount to 23 funds and approximately $48 billion in assets under management.

Allspring Global Investments Selects SEI Trust Company to Serve as Successor Trustee for CIT Business

Allspring Global Investments (formerly Wells Fargo Asset Management) has selected SEI Trust Company to serve as successor trustee for its collective investment trust business.

According to the firms, as plan sponsors and participants demand more personalized retirement solutions and access to a wide variety of asset classes, CITs are increasingly becoming the vehicle of choice in the defined contribution market. To support that demand, the firms say, it is critical that investment managers select a properly aligned strategic partner.

“As a newly independent asset management company, we are pleased to partner with the SEI Trust Company as trustee to our Allspring CIT suite,” says Joseph Sullivan, board chair and CEO at Allspring. “With a wide range of asset classes and customization, our CIT platform is designed to offer plan sponsors and participants improved retirement investment flexibility. We are confident that SEI’s strategic partnership and operational platform will position us to best deliver for our global client base.”