New products and changes introduced over the last week include a China bond ETF from Global X Funds; a donor-advised fund from AssetMark; four additional crowdfunding platforms on the PENSCO Marketplace; DRAFT announced the beta of its mobile app-based investment tool; and a Social Security optimizer tool from Franklin Templeton.
Also, MetLife and Fidelity announced a VA with a principal protection guarantee; Columbia Management announced a strategic initiative with Blackstone Alternative Asset Management; Altus Group and the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries have announced a new data platform; and CAIS announced a structured notes solution for advisors.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) Global X Adds Bond ETF
Global X Funds has announced the launch of the Global X GF China Bond ETF (CHNB), which tracks the S&P China Composite Select Bond Index. Global X partnered with GF International Investment Management Limited, which serves as the fund’s subadvisor, to bring the fund to market.
CHNB offers direct access to China’s onshore bond market. It focuses its exposure on the high end of China’s credit quality spectrum, with the majority of its exposure in Chinese government and agency bonds. At each monthly rebalance, CHNB allocates 23% of its exposure to Chinese government bonds, 32% to agencies, and 45% to central state-owned enterprises.
2) AssetMark Adds Donor-Advised Giving Fund
AssetMark, Inc. announced the launch of the donor-advised Giving Fund on its platform. The fund allows clients to integrate tax-advantaged charitable giving with the management of their investment accounts and offers flexibility and choice when it comes to selecting charities and distributing grants.
All investment solutions on the AssetMark platform are eligible to be included in a Giving Fund account. Donors can contribute cash, mutual funds and securities (as well as some nontraditional assets like real estate), and distribute grants from their account to qualified charities of their choice. Contributions are tax deductible for the year that they are made, and investments grow tax free to potentially increase the donor’s future giving potential. The fund provides a single annual tax document that covers all grants made during that year. Grants may also be made anonymously to avoid solicitation.
3) PENSCO Marketplace Adds Four Crowdfunding Platforms
The PENSCO Marketplace has added four crowdfunding platforms that accredited investors can access using their IRAs.
LendZoan, Equity Round, EarlyShares and SilverPortalXchange are the additional portals now available on the Marketplace.
4) DRAFT Announces Beta Plans
Investment application company DRAFT has announced public beta plans for its mobile app-based investment tool.
DRAFT leverages crowdsourced data, and allows users to pull all their investment accounts into one single location and compare performance, fees and asset allocation against real portfolios from other users.
5) Franklin Templeton Adds Social Security Optimizer Tool for Advisors