2009 ARTICLE COMPETITION
The fi360 article competition is a chance for AIF and AIFA designees to showcase their position as thought leaders on fiduciary issues in the investment industry. These articles focus on helping fiduciaries better understand and perform their roles. Our designees are the leaders in fiduciary thought and this competition allows us to foster that thought and make it available to a broader audience.
Congratulations to 2009 Article Competition winner
Henry Strong!
Henry's article Fiduciary focus: the prudent integration of structured settlements and post-settlement trusts was co-written with David Cordell, the Director of Finance Programs at The University of Texas at Dallas. In addition to winning the competition and $1,000 prize, the article was published in the Spring 2008 edition of the American Bar Association's The Brief. The complete article is printed in the following pages and on fi360.com.
Henry's article looks at the fiduciary implications of settlement planning for lawyers and judges, and introduces the idea of "modern settlement theory", the integration of structured settlements with post-settlement trusts as a form of allocation that reduces risk and increases returns for settlement recipients, akin to modern portfolio theory for investors. The article was chosen for best fulfilling our primary criteria of focusing on helping fiduciaries better understand and perform their roles. Specifically, the article highlighted the fiduciary liability facing settlement attorneys who might not have adequate training in modern finance, offered creative yet practical guidance for attorneys in the commission of their duties, focused on the positive end result to claimants that may result through sound fiduciary procedures, and demonstrated the application of fiduciary concerns beyond retirement planning that is largely our focus. The article was well written, clearly supported, and furthers fi360's mission to promote a culture of fiduciary responsibility in the investment community and beyond.
The Rest of the 2009 Submissions:
Safeguarding your investments
AIF designee David John Marotta of Marotta Wealth Management in Charlottesville, VA, authored this article series highlighting six safeguards a fiduciary should use to protect the value and safety of a client's investment.
Update: All six articles were published in Charlottesville, VA's The Daily Progress.
Opportunities and threats to charitable organization funding
AIF designee Brian Lakkides of Corporate Plan Administrators in Waterford, MI, authored this article on how fiduciary controls can help charitable organizations reduce waste and avoid Madoff-like scandals.
Getting a fiduciary checkup
AIFA designee Roger Levy of Cambridge Financial Services Group in Greenwich, CT, authored this article about how adhering to prudent investment practices and performing fiduciary reviews enables employers to offer 401k plans with peace of mind.
Fiduciary focus: the prudent integration of structured settlements and post-settlement trusts
AIF designee Henry Strong of JMW Settlements, Inc in Washington, D.C., co-authored this article about the need for more training for settlement fiduciaries and the opportunities available for better settlement planning.
Update: This article was published in the Spring 2008 issue of the American Bar Association's The Brief.
The Tyranny of Choice
AIFA designee N. Scott Pritchard of Capital Directions, LLC in Asheville, NC, writes about how 401(k) plans have given investors more control over their retirement plans, and how that hasn't meant increased success.
Does your firm have a financial advisor?
AIF designee John Sullivan of World Equity Group in Arlington Heights, IL, writes about the benefits and necessity of a having a financial advisor for your firm's 401(k) plan.
Update: This article has been accepted to be published in the fourth quarter edition of the Journal of Pension Benefits.