Rep as PM: The Inside Scoop – Part 2

This post is a summary of a session from the MMI 2011 Fall Solutions Conference that was held in NYC. It is part 2 of a 2 part series. Click here to read Part 1.

Moderator:
Marc Zeitoun, Managing Director, Head of Distribution, Rydex/SGI

Panelists:
Jay Link, Managing Director, Managed Solutions Group, Merrill Lynch
Peter Malafronte, Executive Director, Managed Accounts, UBS
George Raffa, National Sales Manager, Asset Management Division, SVP, Raymond James

I felt that this was one of the most useful sessions at MMI because the panelists all shared lots of information about their firm’s advisory business, including statistics (my favorite) and details about the inner workings of their programs. Also, the moderator did an excellent job moving things along and asked insightful follow-up questions, which gave the panelists a chance to elaborate on some key concepts and helped make the session more interesting.

How do Rep as PM and Rep as Advisor programs work together?

Peter agreed that the two platforms are complimentary and the decision as to which to choose is mainly a client preference issue. It depends on whether or not they want to be involved in the decision making process, he said.

Also, Rep as Advisor is sometimes considered to be a “farm league” for RPM clients, Peter joked. Once a client has worked with an advisor in a non-discretionary program, has developed trust and understands how the advisor thinks about investments, portfolio construction and managing risk, that client is more likely to feel comfortable moving into a Rep as PM program, he asserted.

Marc added that the conventional wisdom says that RPM assets are the stickiest and least litigious. Additionally, they have higher levels of client satisfaction.

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Diversify, Diversify, Diversify – 3 Ways to Help Advisory Products Succeed in Volatile Markets

“How can clients improve diversification in their portfolios?” was the question Roger Paradiso posed to those attending this session at the MMI Tech and Ops Conference 2011.  Client’s portfolios aren’t performing as expected and their needs aren’t being met, he said, they are looking for solutions. The recent rise in volatility in the market, he explained, combined with the correlation of many previously uncorrelated asset classes, has increased the priority of diversification for many investors.

Moderator:

Roger Paradiso, President and Chief Investment Officer, Private Portfolio Group, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Panelists:

Mark Thomas, Senior VP, Head of Managed Accounts, PIMCO
Joe Mrak, CEO, FolioDynamix
Donna Davis, Director of Trade Management, Private Portfolio Group, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Alternative investments help to diversify portfolios. How are you introducing alternatives into advisory solutions?

PIMCO uses a forward-looking process when designing client solutions, Mark explained. They evaluate what vehicle, product or platform makes sense and decide on the right structure for each client. Support for 40Act funds, limited partnerships, private funds, and separate accounts are all included in their program.

One issue when introducing new products is ensuring that there is enough capacity, Mark said. PIMCO is continually looking for ways to lower the minimums in their alternative structures and vehicles to make them available to a wider audience.