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December 01, 2014 at 09:11 PM
New products and changes introduced over the last week include an ultra-short-term bond fund from Vanguard; a variable annuity from the Principal; and enhancements to Lincoln Financial Group’s life insurance products.
Also, Abacus Group announced the Abacus Cloud Panel and National Aten Coin announced an anti-moneylaundering-compliant digital currency.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) Vanguard Files for Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard has announced that it has filed to launch the Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund. The actively managed fund is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2015. It will invest in high-quality bonds, including a combination of money market, government, and investment-grade corporate securities with an expected average rating of Aa and duration of approximately one year.
Principals and senior portfolio managers Gregory Nassour and David Van Ommeren will co-manage the fund, which will offer investor shares, with an estimated expense ratio of 0.20%, that will require a minimum initial investment of $3,000, and admiral shares, with an estimated expense ratio of 0.12%, that will require a minimum initial investment of $50,000.
2) The Principal Adds Variable Annuity
The Principal has announced the Principal Pivot Series Variable Annuity, which offers flexibility of investments, tax deferral, death benefit protection and the opportunity to transfer from accumulation to income.
Principal Pivot Series, which offers three different investment approaches—a personalized strategy, a guided strategy and an asset allocation strategy—also provides an option for clients to transfer portions of their account value over time to establish a guaranteed income stream available at a future date, for no additional cost.
3) Lincoln Financial Group Announces Insurance Enhancements
