Welcome to Corporate Insight's monthly newsletter where we provide summaries of our research reports for the current month.
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Trends & Highlights
July Sets the Stage for an Active August |
Firms have been hard at work through a blistering hot summer. A number of firms recently announced forthcoming site revamps and a number of credit card issuers revamped their rewards sites.
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| In The News | |
Below are several news articles that have been published during the past month that you might find interesting.
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Annuities/Insurance
Public Annuity Education
Explaining Annuity Products |
 In this report we examine the public annuity education content offered by Annuity Monitor firms. Given the inherent complexities of annuity products and fears surrounding fees and suitability, it is important for firms to make comprehensive annuity education resources publicly available online. |
Banking/Credit Cards
Private Site Account Maintenance
Bank Monitor Report |
A key feature of the online banking experience, private site account maintenance features allow users to easily update their profiles and account details. In this report, we look at the self-service tools offered by each Bank Monitor firm, examining both the range of options available and the organization of these features.
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Card Rewards Sites
Credit Card Monitor Report |
 Over the last several years, card rewards sites have begun to evolve from single-function redemption portals into multi-function standalone sites. In this report, we look at each issuer's universal rewards program site, examining the design and functionality provided by each firm. This is our first look at this topic since 2007.
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Brokerage
Estate Planning
Broker Monitor Report |
 This Broker Monitor Report looks at estate planning services offered by brokerage firms. We focus particularly on specialized services that are available for estate planning and trust accounts, as well as information, educational resources and other online tools. In addition, we offer our recommendations for firms to consider.
Read More 
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E-Delivery
e-Monitor Report |
 This e-Monitor Report looks at e-delivery and online document capabilities offered by brokerage firms - a topic we last looked at in December 2008. We focus primarily on the types of documents available online, as well as accessibility, online archive length and document format. We also look at the e-delivery availability and enrollment procedures, as well as flexibility in choosing delivery preferences.
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Funds
Transaction Interfaces
Mutual Fund Monitor Report |
 This Mutual Fund Monitor Report reviews the mutual fund transaction platforms that allow clients to buy, sell and exchange shares. In addition to detailed findings, we offer a summary matrix and a set of recommendations to help firms improve their transaction platforms.
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Literature Order Systems
Mutual Fund Monitor - Advisor Report |
 This Mutual Fund Monitor - Advisor Report reviews the literature order systems firms provide their advisors. In our analysis, we the accessibility and organization of firms' literature order systems, and also looked at the value-added features and general information about each literature piece.
Read More
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| Upcoming Reports
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- Annuity Monitor - Public Product Literature for Prospective Investors
- Bank Monitor - Existing Client Applications
- Broker Monitor - Brokerage Credit Cards
- Credit Card Monitor - Card Selection Tools
- e-Monitor - Mobile Trading Overview
- Mutual Fund Monitor - Asset Allocation Tools
- Mutual Fund Monitor - Advisor - E-Delivery
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| | Did You Know? | | Corporate Insight is finalizing plans for an update to its ground-breaking study, Social Media: Trends and Tactics in the Financial Services Industry, initially published in Q4-2008. Available later this year, the study will look at what financial services firms are doing today to leverage social media; examine how firms are using resources like Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In; and evaluate firms' successes (and failures) in using social media to build their brand and establish communities of loyal clients and followers.
In the interim, we continue to answer client requests for an up-to-date assessment of their competitors' social media capabilities, communities and programs by combining the initial study with a tailored WebEx - or in-person - presentation.
If you are interested in discussing how Corporate Insight can help your firm better understand today's social media landscape, please contact Bob Burlin, Director, Business Development at 212-832-2002 x-115, or via email at rburlin@corporateinsight.com.
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