Products November 30, 2011

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Enhances DC Consulting Capabilities

November 30, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Morgan Stanley Smith Barney has made enhancements to its consulting capabilities for defined contribution plans. 
Reported by

The firm introduced new tools and capabilities for their Corporate Retirement Directors and Graystone Institutional Consulting Directors, including a customized investment analytic tool, provider searches and benchmarking.

The new investment analytic tool, developed in conjunction with UpTick Data Technologies, incorporates Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s market commentary, proprietary investment manager and fund research and integration with corporate retirement plan clients’ investment policy statements.

Provider search capabilities were enhanced with the addition of a customized version of the PLANSPONSOR Pathfinder tool. The availability of the Pathfinder tool, along with additional proprietary qualitative RFP capabilities, brings a comprehensive solution to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney clients.

The ability for plan sponsors to make informed decisions on fees is based on accurate, timely data regarding the fees they pay and the services they receive, the company noted. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney worked with Fiduciary Benchmarks, Inc. to develop a tool customized to the benchmarking needs of its clients.

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