PRODUCT WATCH: BOND FUND IS A FIRST FOR BOSTON PARTNERS

Trying to attract individual investors, Boston Partners Asset Management has introduced its first bond mutual fund. The no-load fund will be available through the Fidelity FundsNetwork, Schwab One Source and Jack White & Co.’s No Transaction Fee Program.

Minimums for the fund, which will invest mainly in investment-grade bonds, are $2,500 for individuals and $100,000 for institutions. Up to 25% of assets may be invested in debt securities rated BB and B.

Boston Partners, launched nearly three years ago by a group of executives who left Boston Co., has $13.5 billion in assets under management — all but about $100 million of it held by institutional clients.

The firm has been aggressively trying to capture a piece of the retail market, launching large-cap and mid-cap value funds within the last 14 months. Each fund has about $40 million in assets under

management.

Valic customers get full online access

Valic, the retirement services division of American General Corp. in Houston, has added full online customer account access to its Internet site, RetireNet (www.valic.com). Customers can check daily account and unit values and existing loan balances, as well as change their investment mixes and personal information.

Mosaic leveraging education IRAs

Mosaic Mutual Funds has set up a new automatic-investment program aimed at taking advantage of the Education IRAs established in last year’s tax law. The product is available to investors who commit to contribute at least $100 monthly. Of that amount, $41.66 is placed in an Education IRA to ensure that principal doesn’t exceed the annual $500 limit. The remainder is put in a separate taxable account in either the parent’s or child’s name.The Education IRA allows for tax-free compounding and withdrawal of gains for qualified college expenses.

Financial tips from retired execs

The Service Corps of Retired Executives Association and Visa U.S.A. has launched a free series of financial management workbooks for small businesses. Titled “How
to Secure Financing” and “How to Choose the Best Bank for Your Business,” the first two entries deal with financial planning and cash-flow management. They are available at SCORE’s 389 chapter offices and through the small-business web sites of the association and Visa: http: www.score.org and http: www.visa.com/smallbiz.

American Skandia data available online

Registered reps and their clients with American Skandia accounts can review unit prices, account positions, balances and more on the Shelton, Conn.-based company’s new web site, www.americanskandia.com. Brokers can also access information on specific offerings and total valuation data on their block of business. American Skandia chief economist Lawrence Kudlow’s weekly commentary on economic trends and conditions also is available online.

Cybercramming for CFP exam

The College for Financial Planning is offering an online review for the Certified Financial Planner Board’s certification exam. “Internet Review for the CFP Certification Examination” provides more than 1,000 questions that focus on topics covered in the CFP exam. The electronic review provides immediate feedback on answers to test questions. A demonstration version is available on the school’s web site, http: www.fp.edu.

Nations, Marsico launching two funds

Nations Funds of Charlotte, N.C., has teamed with Denver-based Marsico Capital Management LLC to offer two Nations Marsico funds. The Focused Equities Fund seeks long-term growth of capital through a portfolio of 20 to 30 large-cap stocks. The Growth and Income Fund aims for long-term capital growth with a secondary emphasis on income. Both funds are advised by NationsBank Advisors Inc. and sub-advised by Marsico Capital Management.