Fiduciary First

The pension plan of Rockford, Illinois-based Savant Capital Management, is the first in the U.S. to be certified by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX), based in Toronto. The criteria for certification include “22 fiduciary practices that seek to increase long-term investment performance by diversifying the portfolio across multiple asset classes and peer groups, evaluating investment management fees and expenses,” as well as manager selection, and risks–both within the portfolio, and operational–are considered, according to a July 18 announcement.

“Certification provides assurance to plan participants and constituents that Savant has demonstrated adherence to the industry’s fiduciary best practices,” Carlos Panksep, general manager of CEFEX, says in the announcement. The plan has about $3 million in assts, and approximately 50 employees participate.