Having Your Own Money Manager -- Not Just for the Rich Anymore!

NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 17, 2006 -- Thanks to computer software improvements and old-fashioned competition, a thirty-year customized means of building wealth -- Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) -- is now one of the fastest growing financial strategies on Wall Street for average Americans of middle class means. At one time, it was only available to ultra wealthy individuals, big companies and institutions. Now, over 37 million American households qualify for private money management.

Unlike mutual funds, which have a track record of escalating fees, crushing tax liabilities, double-digit losses in recent years, and on and off again industry scandal, SMAs are individual "baskets" of stocks/bonds fully owned by the investor and actively managed by independent institutional money manager(s). These are the same professionals who maintain the investment opportunities for the Ford Foundation and folks like the founder of Microsoft.

According to financial expert Don Wilkinson, author of "Stop Wasting Your Wealth in Mutual Funds...Separately Managed Accounts: The Smart Alternative" (Kaplan Publishing), "When you take a close look at the numbers, it's more economical to be in separate accounts than in mutual funds."

For instance, switching to a Separately Managed Account from a group of taxable mutual funds can help reduce your obligation to Uncle Sam substantially. SMA investors can instruct their money manager to do "tax harvesting" -- controlling gains and losses within a portfolio. Wilkinson explains, "Gaining more control over taxes is the number one reason investors are leaving mutual funds and moving into separate accounts."

The 'emerging affluent' investor needs to know that having your own money manager(s) is no longer out of reach. In fact, separate accounts are now offered by independent financial advisors, major wire houses, banks, regional brokers, and individual retirement plans like 401Ks. "Things have changed as technology reduces the administrative end of separate accounts, and the minimum investment continues to drop," Wilkinson says. "Investors can now set up a separate account today for as low as $50,000."

Don Wilkinson is a 30-year veteran of the financial services industry. He owns and operates a wealth management firm based in Newport Beach, California. Wilkinson gives more than 100 seminars a year to independent financial advisors and their clients.

Contact Information: For a copy of the book, or to arrange an interview, please call Laura Bianco 727-443-7115 ext.204 laurab@event-management.com