SEI Ranked #1 for Best Mutual Fund Statement Reporting and Documentation of Goals and Progress

OAKS, Pa., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) announced today that it has been recognized by Dalbar's 12th Annual Trends and Best Practices in Investor Statements report for having the best documentation of goals and progress. In addition to earning first place in several key categories, SEI ranked third overall. SEI's commitment to innovation in the statement reporting area reflects the company's role as an industry leader in goals-based investment strategies, which began with a unique product launched five years ago.

"SEI pioneered specific investment strategies based on behavioral finance theory to meet specific investor goals and we were the first to implement that approach into advisors' businesses," said Wayne Withrow, Executive Vice President for the SEI Advisor Network. "It's clear that we continue to set the benchmark in the goals-based investing area. We're confident that by providing unique and innovative solutions on both the statements side and the products side, we're enabling our advisors to differentiate their offering and grow their businesses."

Dalbar's report analyzed a variety of elements within mutual fund statements. Among them, SEI was recognized for 'near ideal' presentation of performance returns and excellent goals and progress reporting, which Dalbar said was one of the most important statement elements. Of SEI's materials, the report said, "[This] may be the best documentation of goals and progress Dalbar has seen on a mutual fund statement." Additionally, Dalbar commended SEI for its personalized rate-of-return system, saying the company was, "The only top 10 mutual fund statement that demonstrates a near-ideal example of how to display personalized rate of return on the statement." Dalbar also applauded SEI for its design and graphics elements, including its "clean overall layout" and "purposeful use of color."

"As a result of the recent market environment, clients are looking for increased transparency in every aspect of the investing process," said Tom E. Sanders, CFP®, Managing Partner of Longleaf Financial Advisors, LLC in Albany, Georgia. "They want to be able to open their statements and quickly and easily understand where they stand. SEI's goals-based investing products and reporting strategies delivers in every way -- it offers a clear path for success and a clear understanding of their performance. SEI's work in this area is a true differentiator, for their company and for my business."

Dalbar's report is an industry benchmark and "evaluates mutual fund statements to address both the needs of the shareholder and the financial professional." Providers are scored out of a possible total of 100 points. Providers earned points in four categories: Calculated to be Understood, Primary Content, Secondary Content, and Design Features. Each category includes hundreds of individual statement attributes, each corresponding to a point value.

About the SEI Advisor Network

The SEI Advisor Network provides financial advisors with turnkey wealth management services through outsourced investment strategies; administration and technology platforms; trust, banking, and institutional services; and practice management programs. It is through these services that SEI helps advisors save time, grow revenues, and differentiate themselves in the market. With a history of financial strength, stability, and transparency, the SEI Advisor Network has been serving the independent financial advisor market for more than 16 years, has more than 6,000 advisors who work with SEI, and more than $29.7 billion in advisors' assets under management (as of Dec. 31, 2009). The SEI Advisor Network is a strategic business unit of SEI. For more information, visit www.seic.com/advisors.

About SEI

SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) is a leading global provider of outsourced asset management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The company's innovative solutions help corporations, financial institutions, financial advisors, and affluent families create and manage wealth. As of December 31, 2009, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the company has a significant interest, SEI administers $392 billion in mutual fund and pooled assets and manages $158 billion in assets. SEI serves clients, conducts or is registered to conduct business and/or operations, from numerous offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.seic.com.

SOURCE SEI