CMC Interactive, Ingham Retirement Group, APA Benefits and KTRADE have selected SunGards new Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) solution, which SunGard launched in July 2009 to help advisors and third party administrators (TPAs) seamlessly incorporate iShares ETFs as standard options in retirement plans. All four firms use SunGards Reliusemployee benefitrecordkeeping and administrative solution and the SunGard Transaction Network (STN) to facilitate connectivity and trading with iShares.
With SunGards ETF solution, we can add ETFs seamlessly to our existing trading operations, says Michael Calandra, co-founder and principal of CMC Interactive. The process is similar to that of mutual funds, providing an easy set-up process while helping us gain the operational and cost efficiencies of offering ETFs and mutual funds within the same plan.
In recent years, there has been an upsurge in popularity with ETFs among financial advisors and their clients. iShares ETFs offer investors reasonable and transparent fees, a flexible investment lineup and risk management through portfolio diversification. SunGards ETF solution provides a cost-effective, automated solution to help defined contribution plans add ETFs to their retirement plans using a single software provider for integrated trading, recordkeeping and custodial services.
Although SunGards ETF solution works in conjunction with many recordkeeping systems and TPAs, advisors using SunGards Omni and Relius benefit administration recordkeeping platforms are able to access and trade iShares ETFs through an integrated link to STN. STN helps streamline trading and data flows between iShares and recordkeeping and accounting systems. For custody and settlement services, SunGard is leveraging the ETFxChange platform provided by Mid-Atlantic Trust Company (MATC).
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