SEI Launches Innovative New Funds Providing UK Defined Contribution (DC) Schemes With Improved Asset Allocation

LONDON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) today unveiled the SEI Asset Allocation funds, a new DC fund range designed to make it easier for UK DC investors to make investment choices whilst being able to match their retirement goals and risk preferences. The new funds have a unique focus on wealth preservation as well as wealth accumulation and form a key part of the SEI DC Master Trust launched in April this year.

The SEI Asset Allocation funds comprise two broad groups of funds, the 'market-focused' funds (Growth, and Aggressive Growth) which aim to generate long term growth and the 'stability-focused' funds (Defensive, Conservative, Moderate) which aim to manage downside risk whilst generating some upside. The 'stability-focused' funds are an innovative solution for the UK DC market as their primary aim is to manage the strategic asset allocation to ensure that the returns are within stated risk tolerances. This means members are able to make choices based on the level of loss, from the highest historical value, that they are willing to accept rather than focusing on a return target, as in most traditional DC funds. This 'target risk' strategy is designed using principals of modern portfolio theory and behavioural finance which demonstrate that individuals understand the risk of losing assets but do not understand the risks needed to be taken to generate returns.

Using SEI's Manager of Managers institutional process and asset allocation skills, each SEI Asset Allocation fund is created using a portfolio of equities, bonds and alternative investments with its own set of underlying managers, placed together in portfolios designed to reduce reliance on a single manager or asset class for the desired generation of returns. As many DC members do not review their investment decisions on a regular basis this provides the benefit of SEI's constant review to ensure objectives are met and any new investment options are automatically accommodated.

Commenting, Ashish Kapur, SEI's UK DC Product Specialist, said:

"The SEI Asset Allocation funds are a result of SEI's ongoing commitment to building cutting edge investment solutions for the DC market place. The DC Master Trust provides employers with the flexibility to be as paternalistic as they want to be without increasing their administration and governance burden. Now, SEI Asset Allocation funds provide DC members with the flexibility to decide whether they want to select individual building blocks in the form of our single asset class funds or the new all-in-one solution.

"The focus on the downside risk within some of SEI Asset Allocation funds also means DC investors can potentially gain some upside whilst minimising the risk of capital loss. This is important not just in the context of the current volatility in equity markets but also for people who may wish to take controlled levels of risk in their pre and post retirement periods."

*The SEI DC Master Trust is a fully bundled DC solution which encompasses an outsourced expert trustee body, investment management via SEI's Manager of Managers investment process, professionally designed scheme communications and administration via a partnership with Capita Hartshead.

About SEI's Institutional Group

SEI's Institutional Group delivers integrated retirement, healthcare and nonprofit solutions to over 490 global institutional clients in seven different countries. SEI enables clients to meet financial objectives, reduce business risk, and fulfill their due diligence requirements through strategic advice integrated with Manager of Managers investment solutions for defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments, foundations and other balance sheet assets. For more information, visit http://www.seic.com/institutions.

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, 2007, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the company has a significant interest, SEI administers $407 billion in mutual fund and pooled assets and manages $199 billion in assets. SEI serves clients, conducts or is registered to conduct business and/or operations, from more than 20 offices in over a dozen countries. For more information, visit www.seic.com .

Issued by:

This information is issued by SEI Investments (Europe) Limited, 4th Floor, Time & Life Building 1 Bruton Street, London W1J 6TL which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

No offer of any security is made hereby. Recipients of this information who intend to apply for shares in any SEI Fund are reminded that any such application may be made solely on the basis of the information contained in the Prospectus.

    Contact:  Caroline Deutsch
              SEI
              0207 297 6408 / 07740 802600
              cdeutsch@seic.com

              Julie Allison/Jesper Lofgren
              Penrose Financial
              020 7786 4882/4873
              sei@penrose.co.uk

SOURCE SEI

Released October 22, 2007