First Mercantile Increases Ranks of AIF Designees

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Grant Boucek, First Mercantile's mid-south regional sales director, has been awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies.  The AIF designation signifies training in fiduciary responsibility and follows a two-day course and examination.  

"One of First Mercantile's core commitments is to support plan sponsors with their fiduciary responsibilities," said Stan Label, vice president and national sales manager.  "Increasing the number of our employees with the AIF designation affirms this pledge.  Grant is the most recent of our regional sales directors to receive this designation.  Earning the AIF® is a testament to the caliber of our regional sales directors and our commitment to continuous improvement."

The Center for Fiduciary Studies is the first full-time training and research facility for fiduciaries.  The Center, associated with the Center for Executive Education, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, teaches fiduciary standards of care and investment best practices designed for investment professionals.

For more information about First Mercantile, please contact your investment professional, or contact First Mercantile at 800-753-3682 or visit www.firstmerc.com.

About First Mercantile

First Mercantile, one of the premier collective investment trust (CIT) recordkeepers in the United States, offers investment solutions for qualified retirement plans. Employing a due diligence process, First Mercantile Trust (FMT) searches the investment universe to select non-proprietary options suited for the investment platforms. CITs are sub-advised by institutional money managers, or invest in mutual funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs). Also included on the investment platform are Dimensional Fund Advisor (DFA) investments, Lifestyle and Target Date options. First Mercantile acts in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the management of the assets of the collective investment trust. The Advisor Review Committee oversees the entire due diligence process, which includes qualitative and quantitative analysis.

These investment products are distributed through solid relationships with quality investment consultants and third party administrators. First Mercantile offers robust fee disclosure and transparency with a flexible and competitive cost structure. FMT has a national network of seasoned, knowledgeable professionals to provide excellent client service, customer care and support.

© 2011 First Mercantile. MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. www.firstmerc.com.

SOURCE First Mercantile