Product & Service Launches – 5/16/24

Macquarie Expands ETF platform with Large-cap Growth Fund

Macquarie Asset Management has launched the Macquarie Focused Large Growth Exchange Traded Funds, adding to its first three active ETFs launched in November 2023.

Bradley Klapmeyer and Bradley Angermeier, Macquarie’s large-cap growth team, will be managing the funds. The latest active ETF is designed to expand access to active investments to “everyday” investors, according to the firm.

“By adding LRGG to our platform, we’re excited to bring the expertise of our large-cap growth team and their capabilities to the ETF market,” Anthony Caruso, head of ETF strategy at Macquarie Asset Management, said in a statement. “This ETF complements our existing BILD, PWER and STAX solutions, as we offer a diverse suite of solutions to meet the evolving needs of today’s investors.”

The fund managers combine qualitative research with quantitative analysis to manage the ETF, according to the announcement.

“Our philosophy and investment approach are rooted in the belief that quality-first investing, through a focused portfolio, is the best path to durable compounding results,” Klapmeyer, senior portfolio manager at Macquarie Asset Management, said in a statement. “Our internal team of subject matter experts conduct rigorous fundamental research to identify companies we believe possess sustainable competitive advantages, the essential characteristic that enables persistent and superior levels of long-term profitability and growth.”

Fiserv University Launches Learning, Technology Training to Financial Firms

Fiserv Inc., a payments and financial technology solutions firm, has opened Fiserv University to provide training and consulting services to financial institutions aimed at boosting productivity through technology.

The university’s offerings include knowledge development, training for technology optimization and customized consulting. Methods include in-person training, on-demand content, virtual events and on-site sessions. The program includes a performance score card for financial firms to determine which education resource is most effective for their needs.

Components of the program include:

• Role-specific learning and technology optimization training;
• consulting services focused on efficiency gains, streamlining ways to grow and compliance and risk management; and
• Fiserv technology certifications for coursework completion.

“The fast-paced nature of today’s banking environment and expanding customer expectations have eliminated the luxury of ramping up. The faster employees gain the knowledge they need, the more likely they are to excel,” John Gibbons, head of financial institutions group at Fiserv, said in a statement. “Importantly, Fiserv University provides the data-driven performance insights and consulting financial institutions need to optimize technology use and maximize employee effectiveness.”

Lincoln Adds Index-Linked Annuity with Capital Group ETFs

Lincoln Financial announced a new index-linked annuity designed to protect and grow assets.

The Lincoln Level Advantage 2 offers indexed accounts that track asset manager Capital Group’s active exchange-traded funds. It is a new version of the firm’s indexed variable annuity launched in 2018, and includes something the firm is calling Secure Lock+, providing a “lock-in” feature that allows investors to reset protection within the existing term for the annuity.

“Lincoln Financial consistently enhances its product suite to help meet investor needs and provide features they can’t find anywhere else,” Tim Seifert, senior vice president and head of retirement solutions distribution, said in a statement.

Investors will have access to indexed accounts that track the performance of Capital Group Growth ETF and Capital Group Global Growth Equity ETF.

The original Lincoln Level Advantage indexed variable annuity has been the firm’s best-selling product to date, with more than $23 billion in sales, according to the firm.