Widget Watch / New Products, Services

LimiTrader Securities Inc. has launched its proprietary online trading system, LimiTrader.com. The system trades junk bonds, with plans for upcoming new-issuance of medium-term notes and secondary investment-grade corporate securities. LimiTrader.com combines automated matching of buyers and sellers with anonymous online negotiation. It can put together bids and offers that meet parameters predetermined by the user.

Free IT market site launched

A team of former Gartner Group senior executives has started the Technology Evaluation Center, designed to provide free web-based analysis of information technology vendors and products, as well as a collection of off-line strategic services. Detailed coverage on industries can be found at the center’s website, www.technologyevaluation.com.

Seligman looks toward Horizon

Seligman Advisors Inc. has begun offering the Seligman Time Horizon/Harvester Series Inc., a group of funds designed for investors wanting strategic asset allocation decisions to be made by a professional money manager. The four new funds allow investors a way to use the Seligman Time Horizon Matrix, a risk-management and wealth-building asset allocation strategy designed to manage the impact of market fluctuations while staying invested. The Matrix recommends portfolios for investors over time frames ranging from 30 years to one year.

A first for Allfirst: Ark fixed annuity

Allfirst Annuities Agency introduced its first proprietary fixed annuity, the Ark Advantage Annuity, offered through American General Annuity Insurance Co. It offers customers the option of a five- or seven-year withdrawal schedule. Other features include a guaranteed 3.5% minimum renewal rate, no up-front sales fees or administrative charges, income guaranteed for life and a waiver of withdrawal charges for terminal illness and extended care.

Additionally, Ark Funds offers a website, www.arkfunds.com., designed to assist broker/dealers and retail investors with real-time access to information regarding the company’s portfolios.

MetLife to peddle insurance in Poland

Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. has been granted a license by Poland’s Ministry of Finance to sell life insurance. MetLife, which will establish a wholly owned subsidiary in Warsaw, initially plans to use a career agency sales force.

Franklin reopens balance sheet fund

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. has reopened its Franklin Balance Sheet Fund to new investors. The minimum initial investment for new, non-retirement plan investors is $1,000. Subsequent purchases can be made for $50. The fund, originally opened in April 1990, had been closed to new retail investors since February 1996.

The Franklin Templeton Group will also make performance results for all U.S.-based Franklin and Templeton closed-end funds available to the public via (800) 342-5236.

Commonwealth has new research site

Commonwealth Financial Network has launched a web-based research tool designed for its national network of independent financial planners. Research tools are now grouped into product-specific bundles, allowing advisers to tailor the package to their specific practice. Resources include Argus Research, Pershing/DLJ, Standard & Poor’s and Wiesenberger.

Prudential beefs up tax-managed menu

Prudential Securities recently added six tax-managed portfolios to its individually managed account program, which is designed to minimize tax liability while maximizing returns. Clients pay an asset-based fee starting at a maximum of 3% for equity or balanced portfolios, and 1.25% for bond portfolios. Minimum account size is $100,000.

H&R shows off new kids on Block

H&R Block has opened 94 new financial centers and redesigned and expanded its Internet site, www.hrblock.com., to offer a wider array of financial services — including mortgage assistance, brokerage services, annuities, mutual funds and individual retirement accounts.

Money Tree upgrades planning software

Money Tree Software has released version 7.20 of its Money Tree Suite for Windows program. The version offers Monte Carlo simulation technology, which uses randomly generated annual rates of return and inflation factors to create potential long-term financial planning results. Money Tree Suite combines three planning programs, available singly or en suite, for data sharing. The programs are available for testing on CD or by download from www.moneytree.com.

Consumer products from TradeCast

TradeCast Securities Ltd. has unveiled two programs designed to allow individuals to execute stock trades. The Elite program delivers stock executions and provides stock information. The Revolution program offers trades, gives more-comprehensive quotes and is available for no monthly fee while assessing a per trade cost.

New online resource for accountants

ICAccounting.com has opened an online business site for accountants. Open to all professional accountants and accounting firms in the country, ICAccounting is designed to match accountants with individuals and businesses seeking accounting services. Enrollment is free and requires the accountant or office to fill out a profile detailing specialized areas of expertise.

Web workstation out from Equitable

Equitable Distributors Inc., a subsidiary of Axa Financial Inc. that sells insurance and annuities from the affiliated Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, has launched a new workstation on its Internet site that provides clients and affiliated representatives immediate access to current fund values, statements and sales materials customized to each state’s compliance standards. It is password-protected and accessible through www.equidist.com.

Joint venture to aid e-finance globally

Capital Z Partners Ltd. and General Atlantic Partners LLC have created efinanceworks LLC, an independent company focused on the formation, support and accelerated development of e-finance businesses worldwide. It seeks to provide access to capital, industry expertise and a business-development infrastructure.

Program soups up financial sites’ data

NeoVision Hypersystems Inc., a provider of visual intelligence software for the financial services industry, has released its first Internet software program. Called Snapshot WebHeatmaps, it is designed to allow information and broker sites to integrate Heatmaps technology into their online services. Heatmaps are live “pictures” that organize large amounts of financial market information and positions into cells or spots and perform calculations, with results displayed in colors.

Primarily designed for day traders and retail investors, it lets them quickly access large amounts of financial market information and positioning in real-time over the Internet using a standard browser. It can be accessed on FlexTrader.com.

Orbitex has new spin on high-tech funds

The Orbitex Group of Funds is now making Class C shares of its Info-Tech and Communications and Health and Biotechnology Funds available to investors. In addition, Orbitex offers A and B shares of the Orbitex Growth Fund and Strategic Natural Resources Fund, while its Focus 30 Fund offers A, B and D shares.

Global execution from Bloomberg

Bloomberg has created an electronic trading system, its first open central-display and matching system for bonds. The system will be open to all institutions and broker-dealers to speed trading in the secondary fixed-income market. The system operates in cooperation with Alliance Capital Management, BlackRock Financial Management, Capital Group, Fidelity Investments Money Management Inc., J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Pacific Investment Management Co., Vanguard Group and Western Asset Management.

Marketing dope available online

Advisormarketing.com, which provides free marketing information to financial advisers, is currently offering website visitors Guaranteed Results, a book of marketing ideas and tactics.

Applications site adds features

FinancialPlanAuditors.com, a provider of application services for financial advisers and their clients, has upgraded its website. It includes a revamped, user-friendly interface and enhancements ranging from upload features to create accounts to automatic updates of values to monitor a client’s likelihood of meeting lifetime goals.