WisdomTree Inc (WT)

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Press Release Source: WisdomTree Retirement Services Inc.


WisdomTree Launches Innovative 401 (k) Platform
Monday October 8, 9:47 am ET
Open Platform Focuses on ETF Indexing Investment Strategy Using WisdomTree ETFs as Core; Supplements with No-Load Actively Managed Mutual Funds and Select Low-Cost ETFs from Other Leading Providers
Company Chairman Michael Steinhardt and Former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt to Unveil Platform Today at 9:30 AM News Conference at the W Hotel in Times Square, NYC


NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WisdomTree Retirement Services Inc., a subsidiary of WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (Pink Sheets: WSDT - News) announced today the launch of a next-generation 401(k) solution designed to deliver a premium platform in terms of flexibility, transparency, low-costs and meaningful asset allocation to investors. The platform puts index-based investing and WisdomTree's fundamental ETFs at the heart of the investment strategy and offers the added flexibility to include no-load actively managed mutual funds for additional diversification. The all-inclusive open architecture platform features third-party ERISA fiduciary and investment advisory services and is designed to be used by Plan Sponsors, Advisors, Brokers and third-party administrators (TPAs).
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Arthur Levitt, Senior Advisor to WisdomTree Investments and former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission commented, "The inclusion of ETFs in 401(k) plans - the staple of the vast majority of American retirement portfolios - is a logical next step for these products. Along with other advocates of investor protection in our marketplace, I see ETFs revolutionizing the way 401(k) plans are assembled and operated in terms of transparency, low fees and broader selection of available investments."

CEO Jonathan Steinberg commented, "We are excited to introduce this new 401(k) platform at a time when the 401(k) market is poised for a transformation. With emphasis being placed on fees and transparency, we believe the timing is perfect. Additionally, we believe WisdomTree is ideally suited for retirement plans as a hallmark of our fundamentally weighted strategies is the focus on capital preservation and reduced volatility."

The comprehensive service platform is entirely fee-transparent, highly flexible and low in cost, offering an all-inclusive 401(k) ETF program for as low as 65 to 70 bps.(1) Within the WisdomTree 401(k) platform we have eliminated the trading fees and commissions typically associated with retail ETF purchases.

To deliver the offering WisdomTree has partnered with CLS Investment Firm LLC (CLS) for asset allocation services; Professional Capital Service (PCS) will handle participant recordkeeping and ICTC (Ameritrade) for custody and trading services.

WisdomTree offers two options:

The "Model Plan" is a wrap-fee ETF 401(k) turnkey solution that offers six professionally built ETF portfolios attuned to investors' risk tolerance or target retirement date. The models feature ETFs from WisdomTree as well as Vanguard and iShares. Additionally, advisors can supplement the ETF models with a menu of no-load, non-12b1 mutual funds.(2)

The "Custom Plan" features all of the investment options available in the Model Plan and allows advisors who can assume more fiduciary responsibility for their clients to create customized portfolios.

Al Shemtob, Director of Retirement Services commented, "We anticipate a shift in the way the retirement plan community thinks about investment strategies and related best practices. We believe that the transparent, low cost, investor-friendly nature of ETFs will prove attractive to advisors and plan administrators as the Pension Protection Act sheds light on the hidden fees present in many mutual fund offerings and places new emphasis on fee disclosures, lower expenses and ultimate fiduciary responsibility."

Press Conference dial-in:

WisdomTree will hold an event today, October 8th, to discuss the 401(k) market and the Company's plans to bring its unique offering to the marketplace at a press conference this morning being held at 9:30 at The W Hotel in Times Square. Media are encouraged to dial in at 1.877.299.4502, pass code 241 870 63#. A live web cast of the conference can be accessed at https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/926766749. International participants, please call: 1.617.597.5442, pass code 241 870 63#.

About WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. has developed the first family of fundamentally weighted indexes. The WisdomTree Indexes cover all major market capitalizations, both domestically and internationally. In contrast to capitalization-weighted indexes, the WisdomTree Indexes anchor the initial weights of individual stocks to a measure of fundamental value. The company believes its approach provides investors with a viable alternative to market cap-weighted indexes.

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS is unaffiliated with CLS, PCS and Ameritrade. Jonathan Steinberg is a registered representative of ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds carefully before investing. A prospectus, containing this and other information is available by calling 1-866-909-WISE. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing.

There are risks associated with investing including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Funds focusing on smaller companies generally experience greater price volatility.

WisdomTree has patents pending on the methodology and operation of its indexes and ETFs.

ABOUT CLS

CLS Investment Firm LLC ("CLS") brings more than 100 combined years of investment experience to your clients. With over $3.5 billion worth of assets under management as of July 31, 2007, CLS has partnered with more than 2,500 financial advisors to provide asset allocation services to clients.

ABOUT PCS

Professional Capital Services, LLC ("PCS") was founded by the tax and ERISA attorneys at Dilworth Paxson, LLP, a 70-year-old Philadelphia-based law firm, to provide sophisticated retirement programs for the corporate, professional and governmental market. PCS specializes in creating customized 401k plans, both ERISA and non-ERISA 403b plans, 457(b) and (f) plans, profit sharing arrangements and executive-level non-qualified deferred compensation programs. PCS offers its services through advisory firms, broker-dealers, mutual fund companies, TPAs and CPAs to offer a complete retirement program, including customized education materials, a robust plan and participant website, account recordkeeping, and all-inclusive plan administration.

WisdomTree has patents pending on the methodology and operation of its indexes and ETFs.

(1) Total maximum fee range if you choose to offer ETF portfolios with no mutual fund options. Basis Point (bps) is a unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1% and is used to denote the change in a financial instrument.

(2) 12b1 fee is an extra fee charged by some mutual funds to cover promotion, distributions, marketing expenses, and sometimes commissions to brokers.



Contact:
WisdomTree Investments, Inc.
Stuart Bell, 212-918-4452
[e-mail]

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Source: WisdomTree Retirement Services Inc.


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