JULY Acquires EIP
July Business Services, LLC has acquired Employee Incentive Plans, Inc. (EIP), effective as of May 30, 2025.
The acquisition also includes the merger of AtlasMark Financial, Inc.’s (AFI) retirement plan advisory practice with Expand Financial, LLC (EXPAND), a wholly owned subsidiary of JULY. EXPAND operates as an investment fiduciary partner, offering plan sponsors expert management of retirement plan investment lineups. EXPAND’s model, grounded in ERISA fiduciary standards, supports advisors with competitive tools and a scalable service platform designed to fuel growth.
Dynasty Investment Bank served as exclusive financial advisor to Employee Incentive Plans and AtlasMark Financial on this transaction. Kupfer, PLLC served as legal advisor to Employee Incentive Plans and AtlasMark Financial and Wintead PC served as legal advisor to July Financial Services, LLC.
With the addition of EIP and AFI’s advisory business, JULY now serves over 10,000retirement plans representing $18 billion in assets under administration.
Nationwide Unveils Digital Experience
Nationwide launched its new Nationwide Investment Hub for variable insurance solutions.
The investment hub includes:
- A fund research tool with interactive filters and comparison features for variable insurance trust investment options
- Fund profiles on select underlying investment options
- Thought leadership content
- A rotating array of investment resources to support informed decision-making
“The hub exemplifies our dedication to digital innovation and simplifying complex topics for financial professionals,” said Kevin Jestice, president of the Nationwide Investment Management Group. “Our goal is to make it easier for financial professionals to help their clients achieve their accumulation goals through best-in-class investment research and comprehensive resources.”
The features of the fund research tool include:
- Fund analysis: Data insights such as YTD return as of previous day market close, expenses, unit values, and Morningstar ratings.
- Custom filters: Financial professionals can customize their experience, compare funds and export fund data to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to easily identify funds that meet their clients’ needs.
- Advanced filtering options: Financial professionals can see which funds are available when a specific rider is selected.
To learn more about the tools and resources for financial professionals, visit the investment hub.
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FIDx Secures Equity Capital from Prudential, Invesco
Fiduciary Exchange, LLC (FIDx) announced the closing of new growth capital. Prudential Financial, Inc. was the lead investor in this latest funding round, with participation from Franklin Templeton, Invesco LLC, and Axonic Insurance Services.
“We are excited to add Franklin Templeton, Invesco, and Axonic to our strategic investor group and highly value Prudential’s ongoing leadership and commitment to our growth,” said Rich Romano, CEO of FIDx. “This capital raise demonstrates the broader industry’s confidence in and recognition of the vision and strategy that FIDx continues to execute. We remain fully committed to enabling every advisor to seamlessly integrate income and protection solutions into every client’s financial plan. Our strategic investors clearly recognize the importance of this evolution for their businesses.”
After nearly eight years of operation, FIDx and its platforms currently collaborate with over 20 insurance carriers, asset management firms, and wealth management platforms, connecting advisors to commission- and fee-based insurance products.
Ann Nanda, head of Future Growth Initiatives and Distribution Enablement for Prudential Retirement Strategies, stated, “At Prudential, we are committed to expanding access to retirement security by empowering advisors with more effective and integrated tools. FIDx is a key innovator in this space, providing platforms that connect wealth managers with lifetime income strategies that can help them protect their life’s work, so they can live better lives, longer.”
SS&C to Power Wesleyan’s Digital Wealth Platform
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. announced that Wesleyan Assurance Society, a financial services mutual, has partnered with SS&C to develop its digital-first wealth management platform.
The platform builds on Wesleyan’s long-term existing relationship with SS&C, which has served as the fund transfer agent for the Wesleyan Unit Trust Managers range of funds for over 20 years.
Wesleyan selected SS&C Hubwise to deliver the new platform, which will broaden the range of investment and retirement products available to Wesleyan’s specialist financial advisers and their customers. The platform will give Wesleyan advisers centralized access to open and manage accounts and investments while offering an enhanced, modernized user experience. SS&C will also provide customer service support under the Wesleyan brand.
Access to the offering will open to a select pilot group of advisers in June 2025.
“Extending our relationship with SS&C with this exciting project is a significant milestone for us,” said Katie Wadey, Wesleyan’s chief product and commercial officer. “When fully developed, the new platform will allow us to better meet the savings, investments and wealth needs of doctors, dentists and teachers in an agile way, with the right technology and fund choice.”
The platform will support Wesleyan’s flagship With Profits Fund as well as a broader range under development.
“We are delighted Wesleyan has chosen to deepen our long-standing collaboration through this transformative project,” said Damien Barry, head of SS&C Global Investor & Distribution Solutions, EMEA. “We look forward to leveraging our deep understanding of the Wesleyan business to deliver a modern, integrated platform.”
Lincoln Financial Launches Capital Group and Vanguard Fund
Lincoln Financial this week launched LVIP American Funds Vanguard Active Passive Growth Fund, available exclusively within American Legacy and Lincoln Investor Advantage variable annuities.
The new fund combines two leading investment managers – Capital Group and Vanguard – to offer investors opportunities for diversified, long-term growth with a strategic blend of active and passive strategies through a Lincoln variable annuity.
“Lincoln continues to enhance its variable annuity products to help financial professionals meet the needs of their clients. With market volatility top of mind, the actively managed portion of the hybrid fund helps make client portfolios more agile and resilient,” said Tim Seifert, SVP, head of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Lincoln Financial. “Variable annuities can be a powerful tool for helping clients grow their future retirement income, and this new fund offers another innovative strategy to help investors reach their goals.”
The fund aims to limit downside risk and capture upside growth by seeking opportunities beyond index weighting. Capital Group’s active investing approach strives to capitalize on markets in constant motion to deliver above-average risk-adjusted results over the long term. As a passive complement, Vanguard’s index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) seek to provide broadly diversified market exposure at low cost. The strategic allocation of the fund is managed by Lincoln.
“Lincoln has brought together Capital Group and Vanguard to offer one powerful strategy for diversified growth through a Lincoln variable annuity,” said Ben Richer, SVP, head of Funds Management and chief operating officer at Lincoln Financial Investments. “Our dynamic approach to managing and monitoring the fund will allow us to position it for long-term success. We look forward to building on our decades-long relationships with both firms.”
The Standard Names Second Litigation and Employment VP
Standard Insurance Company announced that Latrina Edwards was named second vice president of Litigation and Employment.
In this role, Edwards will oversee and manage all aspects of the company’s litigation and employment legal matters.
“Latrina has extensive leadership experience, insurance expertise and deep legal knowledge,” said Liz Fouts, vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary at The Standard. “I’m delighted to welcome her to the Legal and Compliance team.”
Edwards began her career as a claims litigation attorney at The Auto Club Group where she held several in-house positions over the course of 15 years. Most recently, she was vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary and chief compliance officer for AAA Life Insurance Company.
Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Eastern Michigan University and her Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.
Nationwide Welcomes Technical Director
Nationwide Retirement Solutions announced that Arthur Toth has joined the company’s Business Development team as technical director, focusing on sales of fixed annuity products as an investment only solution.
His immediate focus will be to drive adoption in state-initiated savings plans such as 529, ABLE and retirement savings plans. Toth reports to Hutch Schafer, vice president of business development for Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
Toth’s new role marks a return to Nationwide. Prior to serving as a project leader at WTW since February 2023, Toth held several roles during an eight-year tenure at Nationwide where his experience included business development for Pension Risk Transfer, investment analysis in Nationwide’s Office of Investments, and actuarial support for the company’s Specialty Insurance business.
“Arthur’s deep experience across a wide range of financial services roles will greatly benefit our team and the partners andplan sponsors that we serve,” said Schafer. “His dedicated support will be instrumental in accelerating our growth for an important part of our business.”
Agent Trust Company Brings in Senior Executives
Argent Trust Company has announced the addition of two seasoned financial professionals to its North Texas team.
Konrad S. Halbert has been named North Texas regional executive, and Aubrey K. Gideon, CTFA, has joined as vice president and senior trust officer, both based in the company’s Dallas office. Halbert reports to David Redding, Texas regional executive and market president of Argent Trust Company, while Gideon reports to Halbert.
“We are excited to welcome Konrad and Aubrey to the Argent family,” said Redding. “Each brings a powerful blend of leadership experience, wealth management expertise and deep client relationships in the North Texas market. They further strengthen our ability to provide exceptional fiduciary and wealth services across the region.”
Halbert leads client service and business development across North Texas. He brings expertise in estate planning, fiduciary administration and relationship management for high-net-worth individuals, families and institutions.
Before joining Argent, Halbert served as regional president and Fort Worth office trust manager for First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, overseeing the East Region, including offices in Fort Worth, Houston, Beaumont and Bryan/College Station. He also held senior leadership roles as executive vice president and senior vice president and founded the firm’s Fort Worth office in 2005.
He holds both an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in finance from Texas Christian University (TCU). Halbert served more than a decade as an adjunct finance professor at TCU’s M.J. Neeley School of Business.
“Everyone at Argent has spoken about the ‘Argent family’ — and they really back that up,” said Halbert. “The leadership genuinely cares about its people and allocates resources to help employees thrive. I appreciate the firm’s entrepreneurial spirit and independent structure, which allows each office to make local decisions and grow its markets strategically. My vision is for Argent to become the premier destination for trust and wealth management in North Texas.”
Gideon brings more than 17 years of experience in banking, trust and investment management. She offers a client-focused approach to complex estate planning, trust administration and high-net-worth relationship management. Her specialties include ultra-high-net-worth estate plans, charitable trusts, special needs trusts and retirement account administration.
Prior to joining Argent, Gideon served as senior vice president and trust officer at First Financial Trust and as director of operations at Tailwind Advisors. She holds a master’s degree from Texas Christian University and graduated with honors with a BBA in accounting from Tarleton State University. In addition to being a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), she is a graduate of both the Texas Bankers Association Trust School and Graduate Trust School and is a CFP candidate.
“I was drawn to Argent because of its professionalism, broad scope of service, and strong culture,” said Gideon. “I’m excited to be on board at a firm that offers such a long-term career opportunity. I believe in building lasting client relationships through good rapport, attention to detail, and thoroughness. The future at Argent is bright — and it’s going to be a fun ride.”
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