Five Star Fund Company Expands Brand Presence to 23 Water Hazards

Breaking · Distribution

Five Star Fund Company Expands Brand Presence to 23 Water Hazards

Advisors with the highest handicaps now credited as firm’s top producers

By Staff Fabricator · Industry Desk

Five Star RVP Craig Talbot counts branded golf balls in a water hazard while another ball splashes into the pond. — Talbot conducts a quarterly review of Five Star’s growing footprint.AI-generated satirical photo illustration

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Five Star Fund Company regional vice president Craig Talbot reported a substantial increase in brand visibility Wednesday after advisors lost 517 company-branded golf balls at some of the country’s most exclusive private clubs.

“These are places you can’t just walk into and start handing out literature,” Talbot said. “We’ve established a presence.”

Talbot’s quarterly marketing report showed Five Star in 23 water hazards, 41 wooded areas and the grounds of several homes overlooking the sixth fairway. He credited a small group of advisors with doing most of the work.

“Some of these guys are getting our name out there six, seven times a round,” he said. “And then they’re asking how they can get more involved.”

Talbot said the campaign continued working long after the original client event. An advisor searching the rough for his own ball might find a Five Star ball instead, play it, and introduce the firm to an entirely new foursome, sometimes on the same hole.

“That’s organic distribution,” he said. “We’re not even there.”

At a steak dinner following his latest outing, Talbot said several advisors had described Five Star as their preferred provider.

“I don’t even buy my own anymore,” one told him.

Talbot entered the comment in his quarterly report under “Displaced Competitor.”

Around the Industry

Advisor Marketing

Plan Sponsor Hires Advisor Whose Name Keeps Turning Up in Woods

By Staff Fabricator · Advisor Desk

Advisor Brent Kessling writes his name and phone number on a complimentary Five Star golf ball at a clubhouse patio table. — Kessling prepares another referral.AI-generated satirical photo illustration

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Plumbing company owner Ed Kowalski selected Brent Kessling as his firm’s retirement plan advisor Wednesday after finding the advisor’s name and phone number on eleven golf balls over three weekends.

“I started noticing him everywhere,” Kowalski said. “You want somebody established.”

Kessling, who writes his contact information beneath the Five Star Fund Company logo on every complimentary ball he receives, said referrals now account for most of his new business.

“I don’t buy lists,” he said. “People reach out when they have a need.”

Kowalski said he had initially planned to interview three firms but felt Kessling had already demonstrated an understanding of his priorities.

“He’s saved me about $180 this season,” Kowalski said. “The other advisors just talked about reducing costs.”

Kessling thanked Five Star regional vice president Craig Talbot for his continued support and requested another four dozen.

Benefits · Participant Choice

Employee Requests Employer Match at O’Malley’s

By Staff Fabricator · Benefits Desk

TOLEDO, OHIO — Warehouse supervisor Dennis Pruitt welcomed a proposal to give workers more choice over employer benefit contributions Wednesday, asking human resources whether O’Malley’s Tavern would be available at launch.

“I’m not asking the company to cover the whole tab,” Pruitt said. “I’m willing to put in my share.”

Pruitt said he had maintained the account for fourteen years and could provide statements.

After HR explained that the proposal concerned eligible health, education and retirement benefits, Pruitt submitted a copy of the bar’s menu with “Employee Wellness” written across the top.

“This is where I go to stop thinking about work,” he said. “I don’t see why work shouldn’t contribute.”

Pruitt acknowledged that the legislation had not passed but said he hoped his employer would use the time to evaluate competitive offerings.

“O’Malley’s already matches dollar for dollar on karaoke night,” he said. “I’m just asking the company to keep up.”

Quick Takes

Advisor Declines Fund Presentation, Asks Whether It Comes in a Quarter-Zip
Plan Committee Agrees to Review Fees Immediately After Dessert
Fund Company Defines Long-Term Relationship as Three Consecutive Tee Times
Private Equity Firm Identifies Major Gap in Retirement System Where It Receives No Fees
Benefits Survey Finds Employees Would Prefer the Money

The One True Thing

Retirement plan decisions have to serve the people in the plan. For plans covered by ERISA, fiduciaries must act in participants’ and beneficiaries’ interests, use a prudent decision process, and ensure plan expenses are reasonable.

Selecting an investment or service provider is an ongoing responsibility. The evaluation should address the investment’s risks, the services provided, and their costs—and continue after the initial selection.

From the Statehouse

Governor Says Local Businesses Cannot Afford to Wait Until Residents Retire

By Staff Fabricator · Public Policy Desk

CHEYENNE, WYO. — Governor Wade Harlan announced an initiative Wednesday to unlock residents’ retirement savings, calling the accounts “a tremendous economic resource currently waiting for something to happen to the people who own it.”

“We have hardworking families with hundreds of thousands of dollars set aside, and restaurants down the street that are empty on Tuesdays,” Harlan said. “Government should be connecting those dots.”

Under the proposal, residents could direct retirement assets toward participating local businesses through a program called “Your Future. Today.”

Harlan emphasized that participation would be voluntary. His office had already received endorsements from every business eligible to receive the money.

Restaurant owner Dale Mercer said the program would address a longstanding flaw in retirement planning.

“A customer tells me he can’t afford dinner, then mentions he’s been contributing to his 401(k) for twenty years,” Mercer said. “Clearly, the money is there.”

Asked whether the initiative could leave residents with less to retire on, Harlan said his administration was focused on removing barriers.

“We’re letting people decide what to do with their own money,” he said.

The restaurant association will help write the list of choices.

Reader Poll

What first drew you to your advisor?

Performance5%

Service12%

A ball in the rough38%

The dinner reservation45%

Invented results. Respondents were recruited at the turn.

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Corrections

An earlier version of this report described 517 golf balls as “lost.” Five Star has asked that we use “deployed.”