Placemark Investments has launched a new service to help investment advisors gain access to the broadest universe of third-party exchange-traded fund (ETF) portfolios in the marketplace.

Placemark's new ETF Investment Strategist Center provides information on almost 100 ETF investment strategists currently included in the iShares Connect Guide to ETF Investment Strategists, formerly known as the ETF Managed Solutions Guide, developed by iShares, the world's largest ETF provider.

The ETF Investment Strategist Center was established in response to demand created by the rapidly growing market for ETFs. In recent years, as financial advisors have become more aware of the advantages of ETFs (diversity, liquidity, low cost and low tracking error, among others), they have increasingly leveraged the portfolios of investment managers specialising in ETFs.

"Placemark's platform makes it easier than ever for financial advisors to utilise ETF portfolios in building solutions for their clients," says Randy Bullard (pictured), Executive Vice President at Placemark Investments. "iShares has supported the advisors' need for ETF model portfolios by publishing the iShares Connect Guide, the first and largest compendium of experienced third-party ETF managers. The ETF Investment Strategist Center is another step forward, making experienced third-party managers more directly accessible to financial advisors and their clients."

"More and more firms are building and actively managing ETF portfolios to help manage risks and to meet clients' investment goals," said Katharine Earhart, Director of iShares Connect. "The iShares Connect Guide and now the ETF Investment Strategist Center help financial advisors deliver ETFs' benefits of transparency, flexibility and tax efficiency to their clients."

The centre includes a wide-range of ETF strategies, including strategic and tactical asset allocation, U.S. and international equity, fixed income, country, sector, style, and alternative investment strategies. As new managers are added to the iShares Connect Guide, Placemark will invite those managers to participate in the ETF Investment Strategist Center.

The ETF Investment Strategist Center is now available through Placemark's UMA Marketplace, an open platform offered to registered investment advisors affiliated with Schwab Institutional, TD Ameritrade Institutional, Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, Pershing Advisor Solutions and other broker dealers. Managers participating in the ETF Investment Strategist Center benefit from Placemark's UMA Marketplace distribution network and services.