SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Financial Engines (NASDAQ:FNGN), America’s largest independent registered investment advisor1, today announced that it is adding local Financial Engines advisors across the country and unbiased, comprehensive financial help to its services delivered through the workplace. The company also unveiled a new brand identity representing its new broader mission on a redesigned www.financialengines.com, and at the more than 120 former The Mutual Fund Store locations nationwide, newly rebranded as Financial Engines Advisor Centers. Financial Engines completed its acquisition of The Mutual Fund Store earlier this year.
The newly expanded services are consistent with Financial Engines’ commitment to act as a fiduciary on behalf of its clients, which it has done since its founding over 20 years ago. That longstanding commitment mirrors the spirit of the Department of Labor’s recent Conflict of Interest Rule, which provided a framework for employees to get non-conflicted, fiduciary-level advice beyond the 401(k). With the new services, Financial Engines is now uniquely positioned to help clients with their entire financial picture, including their 401(k), IRA and taxable assets, and comprehensive financial planning and wellness — all with the help of dedicated advisors throughout its network of local advisor centers.
Historically, only affluent investors had access to this level of personalized service. With this move, Financial Engines is bringing unbiased financial advisors to its workplace clients to make it easy for millions of hardworking Americans to get the help they need — with the added assurance of working with a fiduciary that puts its clients’ best interests first.
“Just as we transformed the industry by pioneering scalable, institutional-quality investment advice and professional management, our new advisor center network, financial planning services and brand identity show our commitment to bringing greater clarity to Americans’ complex financial lives,” said Financial Engines president and CEO Larry Raffone. “The first 20 years of Financial Engines’ history have been about helping people plan for and live well in retirement. For the next 20 years, we’re going to be helping more people better manage their financial lives today, up to and through retirement — regardless of their income or account balance. I’m excited to introduce even more people to the personal, proactive, comprehensive and non-conflicted care that our clients have come to expect from Financial Engines.”
Meeting a Need for More Day-to-Day Financial Help
According to Aon Hewitt, 54 percent of employees would like access to a financial advisor via the workplace.2 Employers appear to be listening, as Aon Hewitt’s 2016 Hot Topics in Retirement and Financial Well-Being report points out that 89 percent of employers are likely to add or expand the financial well-being tools and services offered to employees this year. Seventy-four percent of employers were either moderately likely or very likely to add financial planning services to their financial wellness programs in 2016.
“Financial Engines is unique in the industry in that our services were developed specifically for the workplace. Due to our existing ability to manage 401(k) accounts, we have no need to solicit 401(k) rollovers,” explained Raffone. “More than anything, this move is about expanding the number of people Financial Engines can help achieve their financial goals. Our clients have had access to our help online and through our call-center based advisors. By broadening our focus and making fiduciary-level care across all account types available to investors through employers and to those near a Financial Engines Advisor Center, we’re giving all people the power to grow.”
About Financial Engines
Financial Engines is America’s largest independent investment advisor. We help people achieve greater financial clarity by providing comprehensive financial planning and professional investment management and advice. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, Financial Engines was co-founded in 1996 by Nobel Prize-winning economist William F. Sharpe. We currently offer financial help to more than nine million people across over 690 companies (including 144 of the Fortune 500). Our unique approach, combined with powerful online services, dedicated advisors and personal attention, promotes greater financial wellness and helps more Americans to meet their financial goals.
For more information, please visit www.financialengines.com.
All advisory services provided by our investment advisory subsidiaries, including Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., Financial Engines Advisor Center, LLC, and a system of registered investment advisors known as The Mutual Fund Store. Financial Engines does not guarantee future results.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the use of professional investment and financial planning help, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are outlined in our SEC filings. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless required by law, Financial Engines undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events.
1 For independence methodology and ranking, see InvestmentNews RIA Data Center. (http://data.investmentnews.com/ria/).
2 “Financial Mindset Study: Insights Into Employee’s Financial Perceptions and Behaviors”, Aon Hewitt, 2015.
