NorthStar Provides Full-Service Asset Management Solution For Three Texas 529 Plans

OMAHA, Neb., July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC (NorthStar), a holding company for several subsidiaries that manage and service financial assets, has partnered with the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board to manage three of the state's four 529 college savings plans—the prepaid Texas Tuition Promise Fund^®, the advisor-sold LoneStar 529 Plan^® and the direct-sold Texas College Savings Plan^®. The LoneStar 529 Plan^® and the Texas College Savings Plan^® are available to both Texas residents and non-residents.

In this new role, NorthStar's subsidiaries provide distribution, sales, administration and other asset management services for the qualified tuition plans, which offer tax-advantaged, low-maintenance and flexible ways for individuals to save for higher education expenses. These are the first qualified tuition plans under NorthStar's administration, and they can benefit from the same tools and scalability as the other investment vehicles serviced by NorthStar.

"The management of 529 college savings plans represents a promising opportunity for us to empower Texas and other states to find better and more efficient ways to assist individuals with paying for college tuition and other expenses," said Michael Miola, Co-Founder of NorthStar. "Our company was built on the premise of using our various services to create financial solutions for clients like the Texas 529 plans. We look forward to leveraging our various areas of expertise to grow the products in these savings plans over the long term."

The companies under the NorthStar umbrella are working closely to deliver a variety of program management solutions to the Texas 529 plans. For example, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, an engaged partner to independent advisors as a provider of comprehensive, pooled investment solutions, will serve as the plans' fund administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (NLD), a broker-dealer specializing in providing comprehensive, advisor-driven solutions for fund distribution services, is helping the 529 plans raise more assets through enhanced sales and distribution. NLD will utilize Blu Giant, a division of NorthStar, to provide marketing solutions through their multi-disciplinary approach to hypermedia, including branding, social media, video and web. CLS Investments, LLC, a third-party investment manager, exchange-traded fund strategist and longtime trusted partner in the financial industry, is assisting the plans with portfolio management and analytics responsibilities, including ongoing assistance with trading and operations. Constellation Trust Company, a NorthStar affiliate, as the custodian for the 529 plans, will provide new account set up, trade file submissions, data reconciliation, and reporting back to the affiliated companies.

For media inquiries, please contact Jami Schlicher at 973-850-7309 or [email protected].

About NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC

NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC (www.nstar-financial.com) was founded in 2003 as a holding company for several subsidiaries which manage and service financial assets.

Each NorthStar company offers unique services within the financial industry, including asset management, pooled investment solutions, portfolio accounting, fund distribution and compliance, and printing and marketing services. Our synergy helps investment advisors enhance their service to clients, increase their operational efficiencies and expand their businesses.

NorthStar continually strives to innovate and develop products and services, through its subsidiaries, to strengthen our partners and provide tools and resources to empower investment advisors.

The Texas College Savings Plan® ®, the Texas Tuition Promise Fund® and the LoneStar 529 Plan® are established and maintained by the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board, and, as of Sept. 2, 2014, distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC member FINRA and SIPC.  NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, is the Plan manager and administrator of the Plan, effective Sept. 2, 2014.

Some states offer favorable tax treatment to their residents only if they invest in the state's own plan.  Non-residents of Texas should consider whether their state offers its residents a 529 plan with alternative tax advantages and should consult their tax advisor.  Interests in the Plan are not deposits or other obligations of any depository institution.

Before investing in the Texas College Savings Plan®, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, administrative fees, service and other charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities. The Plan Description and Savings Trust Agreement contains this and other information about the Plan and may be obtained by visiting www.texascollegesavings.com or calling 1.800.445.GRAD (4723), Option #3. Investors should read these documents carefully before investing.

Before investing in the LoneStar 529 Plan®, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, administrative fees, service and other charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities. The Plan Description and Savings Trust Agreement contains this and other information about the Plan and may be obtained by visiting www.lonestar529.com or calling 1.800.445.GRAD (4723), Option #4. Investors should read these documents carefully before investing.

Before investing in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund®, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, administrative fees, service and other charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities. The Plan Description and Master Agreement contains this and other information about the Plan and may be obtained by visiting www.texastuitionpromisefund.com or calling 1.800.445.GRAD (4723), Option #5. Investors should read these documents carefully before investing.

0109-NFS-7/25/2014

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SOURCE NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC

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