M Financial Links with Fiduciary Benchmarks and BlackRock

Through this relationship, M Financial’s 800 producers will have access to a benchmarking report for their clients after having their clients sign a one-page form authorizing the benchmarking study, according to an announcement about the deal. The form is then sent to Fiduciary Benchmarks who works with the plan’s recordkeeper to make sure the data used for the benchmarking service is accurate and current. Fiduciary Benchmarks has established protocols with more than 50 of the country’s largest recordkeepers, the company said. 

“First and foremost, our Member Firms are focused on providing clients with successful outcomes,” said David Watros, Vice President of M Corporate Benefits. “Fees and fund performance are only part of the story; plan design and an understanding of the impact of participant behavior are critical to meeting the objectives of plan sponsors and participants.” 

M Financial is also partnering with BlackRock to provide training, marketing, and value added resources to M Financial’s producers.  

“BlackRock is uniquely positioned to help defined contribution advisors better understand the benchmarking reports and turn the data into meaningful and impactful insight that plan sponsors value,” said Joe Lee, Head of Advisor-Sold Distribution at BlackRock.