AGE Edwards AG

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To provide its clients a new one-stop shop with enhanced account management capabilities, A.G. Edwards (NYSE:AGE) is launching a unified managed account program. The new account option lets investors bring together separately managed accounts, mutual funds and ETFs all in a single account, with the combined benefits of comprehensive asset allocation, coordinated account management and portfolio rebalancing. "Through our new Unified Managed Portfolios, our clients will enjoy the convenience of one account that simplifies the investment management process for investors," said Mike Scafati, senior vice president and manager of A.G. Edwards' Managed Products Department. "Separate account managers provide a valuable service by specializing in a particular asset class while also allowing for individualized portfolio customization based on an investor's particular objectives. Bringing together multiple managers in one account was a good first step when we launched multi-style portfolios, but the new unified structure takes things one step further by adding mutual funds and ETFs to the investment mix, allowing our financial consultants the ability to offer solid investment alternatives in a single, coordinated portfolio offering." Under the new Unified Managed Portfolios (UMP) program, clients can choose from three account strategies: Unified Multi-Style Portfolios, which are well- diversified portfolios primarily invested with separate account managers; Unified Fundamental Multi-Style Portfolios, which offer lower investment minimums and have a larger percentage of the portfolio's assets allocated to mutual funds and ETFs; and Unified Custom Multi-Style Portfolios, which allow clients the opportunity to work with their own financial consultant to customize their asset allocation and investment selection. "As we do with so many of our investment products and services, we are giving our clients options so they have the ability to choose the investments that are best-suited to their individual goals," Scafati said. "These new account options give our financial consultants the freedom to work with their clients to select the most appropriate account management vehicle." For all the models underneath the A.G. Edwards UMP umbrella, strategic asset allocation guidelines are set by the firm's Investment Strategy Committee. Gallatin Asset Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of A.G. Edwards, Inc., populates the models with a mix of managers, mutual funds and ETFs for the first two portfolio sets, while the Unified Custom Multi-Style Portfolio (MSP) options are left to the clients and their financial consultants. Portfolio options in the new program include models that cater to a range of investors, from income- to growth-oriented investment styles. In addition to the convenience of consolidating investments into one account, the UMP program offers additional features such as automatic portfolio rebalancing, tax-planning capabilities and the ability to implement portfolio restrictions based on personal preferences. A.G. Edwards has enlisted Parametric Portfolio Associates to provide overlay investment management services for its Unified MSPs and its Unified Custom MSPs. Parametric will be responsible for implementing the buy and sell decisions of the portfolio managers, rebalancing portfolio allocations as necessary, and monitoring tax issues associated with the investment mixes. Gallatin Asset Management will provide overlay investment management services for the Unified Fundamental MSPs. Account minimums for the Unified Managed Portfolios program start at $100,000, and fees vary based on the portfolio option selected and account balance. About A.G. Edwards Drawn to the firm's client-first philosophy, individuals and businesses have turned to A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. for sound advice and access to a wide array of investment products and services that can help them meet their financial goals and objectives. Founded in 1887, A.G. Edwards and its affiliates employ more than 6,500 financial consultants in more than 700 offices nationwide and two European locations in London and Geneva. More information can be found on http://www.agedwards.com/ . How A.G. Edwards does business Unified Managed Portfolios is an investment management service in which A.G. Edwards acts as investment advisor. Apart from this program, the firm is acting only as a broker-dealer unless otherwise specifically indicated in writing, and its obligations will vary with the role the firm plays. Please consult "Important Information About Your Relationship With A.G. Edwards" on http://www.agedwards.com/disclosures for a discussion of the differences between brokerage and advisory services. A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Member SIPC DATASOURCE: A.G. Edwards CONTACT: Byron Goodrich of A.G. Edwards, +1-314-955-3235, Web site: http://www.agedwards.com/

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