Ibbotson Offers Plan Sponsor Consulting; Helps sponsors provide a diverse set of high-quality...

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2004

Ibbotson Associates, a leading provider of asset allocation and investment knowledge and tools, today launched a plan sponsor consulting service. With the proliferation of investment products and concern over fiduciary

liability, more plan sponsors are looking for help when choosing fund options. Ibbotson will partner with plan providers to produce a series of diverse, high-quality fund lineups appropriate for companies of varying size and makeup.

"It's difficult to build a diversified portfolio without a diverse fund lineup, but too many choices overwhelm participants and drive down participation rates(1)," said Michael Annin, managing director at Ibbotson Associates. "We help plan sponsors ensure that their participants are offered the right number and combination of funds from which to build diversified portfolios."

Ibbotson will partner with plan providers to create a series of fund lineups from their investment universe. Plan sponsors will be guided to a specific lineup based on company size, demographics, participation rate and participants' financial sophistication.

About Ibbotson Associates

Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1977, is a leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals obtain, manage and retain assets.

The company's business lines include investment consulting and research; planning and analysis software; investment advice; educational and marketing services and a widely used line of NASD-reviewed presentation materials. With offices in Chicago, New York and Tokyo, Ibbotson Associates markets its integrated product line to institutional money managers, insurance companies, plan sponsors and consultants, financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, hedge funds, banks and small money managers.

(1)"How Much Choice Is Too Much," Sheena Sethi-Iyenger, professor

of management, Columbia Business School.