Administration June 4, 2008

Forward Management Picks Up Investment Adviser

June 4, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Forward Management, LLC, investment advisor to the Forward Funds, has agreed to acquire Accessor Capital Management LP (Accessor), investment advisor to the Accessor Funds.
Reported by

Upon shareholder approval, as a combined fund family, Forward Funds will offer investors 34 mutual funds in no-load and load share classes, with more than $5 billion in assets under management.

Accessor Funds include six lifestyle funds, and their recently launched Strategic Alternatives Fund. Based in Seattle, the firm was founded in 1991 by J. Anthony Whatley, and, according to a press release, was one of the first to launch asset allocation funds, as well as integrate an alternative strategy in their more aggressive lifestyle products.

Whatley will assume the role of Vice Chairman, and will head the Investment Policy Committee.

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