SEI Signs Ten Collective Investment Trust Managers

Growth Points to Firm's Leadership as Managers Adapt and Expand into CITs to Capture Retirement Assets

OAKS, Pa., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) today announced that it has signed ten new Collective Investment Trust (CIT) managers over the past eight months. The strong growth points to SEI's leadership in the investment operations outsourcing space, and its expertise in the rapidly expanding CIT market, where these vehicles continue to penetrate the defined-contribution retirement market as a more cost-effective alternative to mutual funds. According to Cerulli Associates, CITs represented about $733 billion in employer-sponsored retirement plans, including defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets as of June 30, 2009.

SEI has been a leader in the CIT market for more than 15 years, but has experienced even stronger growth as the adoption of CITs in the retirement space becomes more prevalent. Public policy and litigation has increased the scrutiny of retirement plan costs and fees, pushing plan sponsors toward lower-cost solutions such as CITs. Technology enhancements have also played a role in increasing the appeal of CITs.

SEI's comprehensive services encompass trustee, investment management, accounting, administration, transfer agent, plan-level servicing and retirement platform relationship management. The new managers SEI has signed include: Hansberger Global Investors, Montag & Caldwell, and Pioneer Investments. Managers pointed to SEI's deep trustee experience in the space, as well as its comprehensive services as major competitive distinctions for SEI.

"As investment managers expand their product lineup and consider launching Collective Investment Trusts, they are looking for a strategic partner who not only understands the operational and regulatory subtleties of CITs, but also can integrate with the operational environment for their other investment products," said John Alshefski, Senior Vice President, SEI's Investment Manager Services division. "We offer managers a comprehensive solution that allows them to quickly get into the CIT market and take advantage of the new opportunities in the retirement space without the pain and expense of upgrading operating capabilities."

"When we looked to move into the CIT market, all signs pointed to SEI," said Ray Dutcher, Director of Institutional Client Service, of Pioneer Investments. "The firm's experience and technology, as well as the overall depth of their services, really stood out. SEI gave us the ability to get running quickly without additional operational resources, while giving us the flexibility we need to grow long term."

The SEI Trust Company services over 85 collective and common funds in excess of $20 billion in assets as of June 30, 2009. For information on SEI's CIT services, visit http://www.seic.com/enUS/im/342.htm.

About SEI's Investment Manager Services Division

SEI's Investment Manager Services division provides total operations outsourcing solutions to global investment managers focused on mutual funds, hedge and private equity funds, exchange traded funds, collective trusts, separately managed accounts and institutional and private client services. The division applies operating services, technologies, and business and regulatory knowledge to each client's business objectives. Its resources enable clients to meet the demands of the marketplace and sharpen business strategies by focusing on their core competencies.

About SEI

SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) is a leading global provider of outsourced asset management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The company's innovative solutions help corporations, financial institutions, financial advisors, and affluent families create and manage wealth. As of June 30, 2009, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the company has a significant interest, SEI administers $360 billion in mutual fund and pooled assets and manages $136 billion in assets. SEI serves clients, conducts or is registered to conduct business and/or operations, from numerous offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.seic.com.

    Company Contact:                      Media Contact:
    Dana Grosser                          Jason Rocker
    SEI                                   Braithwaite Communications
    610-676-2459                          215-564-3200 x 110
    dgrosser@seic.com                     jrocker@braithwaitepr.com

SOURCE SEI

Released October 13, 2009