MutualFundWire.com: Merk Nabs a Van Eck Distribution Exec

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Merk Nabs a Van Eck Distribution Exec

Merk Investments has hired former Van Eck Global executive Peter Moeller to lead distribution at the Silicon Valley-based mutual fund firm.

Moeller's post is newly created. Separately, The MFWire.com has learned that Judy Haber has left her post as Merk's director of marketing.

Moeller joined the currency fund specialist on Feburary 16 and reports to Hanna Tikkanen-Merk, executive vice president of corporate strategy.

"It's a great oporutnity with this up-and-coming shop," Moeller told The MFWire.com in an interview.

Merk last year hired its first ever external wholealer, Aaron Leffingwell.

"We're looking to staff up according to our needs," Moeller replied when asked whether he will be making some sales hires.

Previously, Moeller ran intermediary distribution at Van Eck Global. He left the firm at the end of last year.

Moeller's resume also includes stints at Dreyfus Corporation, the Deutsche Funds, New York Life Investment Management and Dean Witter Reynolds.

A Van Eck spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment on how Moeller's former duties are being handled.

Moeller is relocating from New Jersey to California.

Merk Adds Director of Distribution for its Currency Funds

The Authority on Currencies™ names Peter Moeller as Director of Distribution

Palo Alto, CA February 22, 2011 Merk Investments LLC, manager of the Merk Funds, announces Peter T. Moeller’s appointment for the newly created role of Director of Distribution for the Merk Funds.

“Peter brings with him 30 years of experience serving institutional clients and building and managing exceptional distribution teams. He will be responsible for delivering world-class service to the full range of financial professionals who invest in the Merk Funds,” explains Axel Merk, president and CIO of Merk Investments.

Prior to joining Merk, Peter Moeller was the Head of Intermediary Distribution at Van Eck Global, after having previously held senior executive positions with the Dreyfus Corporation, The Deutsche Funds, New York Life Investment Management and Dean Witter Reynolds.

Merk Investments is the largest mutual fund company focusing exclusively on currencies. This focus has allowed Merk not only to expand its market leader position, but also to further establish its reputation as the Authority on Currencies™. “I am excited to become part of the innovative Merk Team at the forefront of developing currency investment solutions providing uncorrelated returns and down-side risk protection,” states Peter Moeller.

Based on a recent survey by Merk Investments, investment advisers using currencies allocate 3-6% of their client portfolios to the currency asset class. “The Merk Hard Currency Fund, the Merk Asian Currency Fund and the Merk Absolute Return Currency Fund are all designed to provide access to different aspects of the currency asset class. Peter Moeller and his team will be available to educate the investment community on the potential benefits of currency investing”, concludes Axel Merk.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Sabrina Suzuki Merk Investments (650) 323 4341 Sabrina(at)merkinvestments(dot)com

Merk Investments

Merk Investments LLC, is a Palo Alto, California, based SEC registered investment advisory firm managing currency mutual funds. For more information on Merk Investments or the Merk Funds, please visit http://www.merkfunds.com.

This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any investment security, nor provide investment advice. Merk Investments LLC.

Transaction fees and other restrictions may apply to invest through a broker. As with any mutual fund product, there is no guarantee that the funds will achieve their goals. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of the Funds carefully before investing. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Funds’ website at http://www.merkfunds.com or calling 866-MERK FUND. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

The Funds’ principal investment risks include, but are not limited to, currency exchange rate risk, foreign instrument risk and interest rate risk. For a more complete discussion of these risks please refer to the Funds’ prospectus. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.