Quantcast
The MFWire
Manage Email Alerts | Sponsorships | About MFWire | Who We Are

Subscribe to MFWire.com's News Alerts [click]

Rating:Heartland Sets Example with its Proxy Dislosure Site Not Rated 0.0 Email Routing List Email & Route  Print Print
Friday, January 31, 2003

Heartland Sets Example with its Proxy Dislosure Site

by: Sean Hanna, Editor in Chief

Heartland Funds is taking the lead in providing shareholder access to its proxy voting records. The firm, which saw it brand tarnished by the mispricing of its bond funds more than two years ago, said it is making the move as part of its effort to be an advocate for its shareholders. The decision to offer the information is not a response to past headlines about the firm, said Aaron Picard, director of retail marketing and communications.

Picard added that the Web site is part of the Milwaukee-based fund firm's efforts to build relationships with its shareholders. "This is not a sales tool," he emphasized.

Whatever the motivation, the effort may be one that helps the firm burnish its brand. Though the slimmed-down and refocused Heartland no longer offers any bond funds (it advises three equity funds with $1.2 billion of assets) the losses in those funds still linger in the minds of many advisors. Taking the lead on this type of disclosure is one way to build trust.

Picard said that not only is the firm offering the information to shareholders nearly a year before it is required, it is also presenting the information in a user-friendly format. Rather than include the entire proposal as listed in the proxy, Heartland provides a brief summation of the proposal. It also provides a record of its vote and an explanation for why it voted the way it did. (To see the site follow this link).

He added that the firm has interpreted the SEC's new rules as allowing for summary descriptions of the proposals rather than the complete wording. "If the SEC does require the complete proposal, then we will likely provide a link to that information," said Picard.

Heartland has been working on how to present the information for the past month and has decided to disclose all votes after December 31, 2002. It is gathering data for the site from reports generated by ProxyEdge, its existing service provider. It developed the site internally, said Picard.

The effort also points out the opportunity for firms to create good will with shareholders and advisors. How they choose to handle compliance with a rule they may not like sends a message about the firm's opinion of its customers and partners. Heartland's effort may be a model to follow.  

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE

0.0
 Do You Recommend This Story?



GO TO: MFWire
Return to Top
 News Archives
2024: Q2Q1
2023: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2022: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2021: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2020: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2019: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2018: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2017: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2016: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2015: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2014: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2013: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2012: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2011: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2010: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2009: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2008: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2007: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2006: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2005: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2004: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2003: Q4Q3Q2Q1
2002: Q4Q3Q2Q1
 Subscribe via RSS:
Raw XML
Add to My Yahoo!
follow us in feedly




©All rights reserved to InvestmentWires, Inc. 1997-2024
14 Wall Street | 20th Floor | New York, NY 10005 | P: 212-331-8968 | F: 212-331-8998
Privacy Policy :: Terms of Use