STATE STREET RESEARCH INTRODUCES NEW PROGRAM TO HELP FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS BUILD MORE BUSINESS

State Street Research developed the Multiplier Program in response to market trends that show investors are seeking advice and planning tools when making investment decisions. Leading market research firm Cerulli Associates has identified that expanded product choice and the shift from a product-driven to a financial planning-driven sale has resulted in a greater need for asset managers to focus on supporting intermediaries that distribute their products.

"We are committed to helping financial professionals build their business and strengthen client relationships by offering a comprehensive package of tools and strategies that are customized to fit their needs," said Kevin Wilkins, executive vice president and head of investment services for State Street Research.

The first kit available in the program is Strategies for Wealth Management, which covers estate planning, tax-managed investing and investing for income. This kit features various ways to identify the specific investing needs of the affluent investor, and includes a series of tools for financial professionals and their clients, including seminars and brochures.

According to the Spectrem Group, the number of millionaires and penta-millionaires has grown more than 10 times faster than the general population over the past five years and the top 18% of U.S. households control 80% of all investable assets.

"The rapid growth of new affluent investors, including business owners, entrepreneurs and senior corporate executives, is driving the demand for advice and specialized products," added Wilkins. "This group is savvy about their investments and has accumulated wealth over time, presenting a unique opportunity for investment professionals to examine a client's entire portfolio and plan for growth."

The Multiplier program is one of several value-added programs that State Street Research has introduced to the investment community. Most recently, the company launched the Tax Law Opportunity Kit, which provides educational materials and tools to navigate the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. A component of the kit was a series of Q&A's that were well received by both clients and financial planners.

State Street Research & Management Company, with a history dating back to 1924, is one of the nation's first investment management organizations. The Boston-based company actively manages stock, bond and balanced portfolios for both institutional and individual investors. As of January 31, 2001, State Street Research managed $45.8 billion in assets, of which $28.3 billion represented institutional clients and $17.5 billion represented mutual fund and variable annuity portfolios. The firm has managed pension money for many of the largest U.S. corporate pension plans for over 30 years. State Street Research also manages money for union programs, public employee pension plans, mutual funds for over 576,000 shareholder accounts, as well as individually managed accounts for affluent investors. The firm's Web site address is www.ssrfunds.com.