October 21, 2015

Conning, Inc. Announces Launch of Conning-Goodwin Capital Core Plus Bond CIF

Meets Investment Needs of Institutional Investors Including Options for Smaller Mandates  

HARTFORD, CT – October 21, 2015  –   Conning, Inc. today announced the launch of the Conning-Goodwin Capital Core Plus Bond CIF (“Fund”).  This Fund broadens Conning's reach into the pension space and utilizes the firm’s core plus strategy, which has served pension clients for more than twenty years.     

The Fund provides pension plans with an additional avenue, beyond separate account management, for investing in the firm’s core plus strategy.    

“The addition of this Fund comes at a time when many investors are increasingly concerned about liquidity in the fixed income markets. We are now able to provide an alternative to separate account management to alleviate those concerns, and to accommodate smaller plans,” said Lynn Ryan, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager.     

The Conning-Goodwin Capital Core Plus Bond CIF is a collective investment fund created by the Hand Composite Employee Benefit Trust and sponsored by Hand Benefits & Trust Company, a BPAS company, that invests in the strategies of Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc. (“Goodwin”) and serves as the adviser to the Fund.  The Fund has an investment objective of generating a high level of income and appreciation of capital. Its relative value strategy combines active sector rotation and strong security selection with disciplined risk management.    

“We view the launch of this Fund as an additional important step in our efforts to broaden our reach into the pension space,” said Rich Sega, Chief Investment Officer at Conning.  “Investors in the Core Plus Bond CIF will reap the benefit of gaining access to our firm’s unconstrained actively managed strategy, which has proven successful over time,” said Sega. Over the past 10 years, the Core Plus Composite has had a net annualized return of 4.98%.¹ The five-year risk-adjusted returns for the strategy have been in the top quartile of similar investment strategies according to eVestment Alliance. ²    

“As a part of the Conning team, we at Goodwin are in the unique position of being able to bring the resources of a $93 billion investment operation to our clients, while maintaining the ability to be nimble and tactical in the fixed income markets, without the need to employ derivatives.  We are excited to now be able to offer these capabilities to smaller plans as well,” added Ryan.    

“Today’s 401(k) retirement market demands high quality fixed income investments not tied down to one strategy. The firm’s core plus strategy has an outstanding record of offering diversification across multiple fixed asset classes and is now available within a collective investment fund offering, for expanded use on most all retirement plan platforms,” commented W. David Hand, CEO of Hand Benefits & Trust, a BPAS company. 

 About Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc. 

Goodwin^®, a wholly-owned subsidiary of global asset management firm Conning, with approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2015, is an SEC-registered investment adviser with more than twenty years of experience managing fixed income investments on behalf of institutional clients, including Taft-Hartley funds, public entities, not-for-profit organizations and corporations. Goodwin offers a range of actively managed multi-sector strategies that use a disciplined and customized investment process, with the objective of maximizing total return.  

 About Conning^® 

Conning (www.conning.com) is a leading investment management company for the global insurance industry, with $93 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2015, through Conning, Inc., Conning Asset Management Limited, Cathay Conning Asset Management Limited, Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc., and Conning Investment Products, Inc. that are all direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conning Holdings Limited (collectively “Conning”) which is owned by Cathay Life Insurance Co., Ltd., a Taiwanese company. The company's unique combination of asset management, risk and capital management solutions and insurance research helps clients achieve their financial goals through customized business and investment strategies.  Founded in 1912, Conning provides clients with innovative solutions, leveraging its global capabilities, investment experience, proprietary research and risk management technology.  Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, Conning also delivers its services globally through its offices in New York, London, Cologne, Hong Kong and Tokyo.    

¹The Conning-Goodwin Capital Core Plus Bond CIF is new and does not have actual performance data reporting.   

The CIF is not a mutual fund. Its shares are not deposits of Hand Benefits & Trust Company, a BPAS company, or Goodwin Capital Advisers, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other agency. The CIF is a security which has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and is exempt from investment company registration under the Investment Act of 1940.  

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell, or a solicitation or recommendation of an offer to buy any security, product or service, or retain Conning for investment advisory services. This information is not intended to be nor should it be used as investment advice and should not be copied or distributed without the prior consent of Conning.  

Conning, Inc., Conning Investment Products, Inc., and Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc. are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Conning Investment Products, Inc. is also registered with the Ontario Securities Commission. Conning Asset Management Limited is Authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA#189316), and Cathay Conning Asset Management Limited is regulated by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission for Types 1, 4 and 9 regulated activities. Conning primarily provides asset management services for third-party assets. Conning predominantly invests client portfolios in fixed income strategies in accordance with guidelines supplied by its institutional clients.  

Net fees reflect actual investment advisory fees and other expenses that may be incurred in the management of the account. Goodwin’s fees are described in Part 2 of our Form ADV.  

Past Performance is not indicative of future returns. Any tax-related information is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. You should consult a tax professional with any questions.  

To receive a complete list and description of Conning and Goodwin composites and/or a presentation, contact Odette Morin at 860-299-2340 or odette.morin@conning.com. 

²eVestment and its affiliated entities (collectively, “eVestment”) collect information directly from investment management firms and other sources believed to be reliable; however, eVestment does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the information provided and is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Performance results may be provided with additional disclosures available on eVestment’s systems and other important considerations such as fees that may be applicable. Not for general distribution. * All categories not necessarily included; Totals may not equal 100%.  Copyright 2013-2015 eVestment Alliance, LLC. All Rights Reserved.