UMBF UMB Financial Corporation

UMB Fund Services, Inc. (UMBFS) announced that its multiple-series trust, the Investment Managers Series Trust (IMST), has gained nine new clients and 10 new funds during a seven-month period, more than tripling its size. As of the launch of the new funds, the trust, started in November 2007, will comprise 14 funds.

New funds that have recently launched in the IMST include:

Fund

 

Advisor

Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund Advisory Research, Inc. EPH China Fund Euro Pacific Halter Asia Management, Inc. Liberty Street Horizon Fund Liberty Street Advisors, Inc. W.P. Stewart & Co. Growth Fund W.P. Stewart & Co., Inc.

In addition, the following advisors have selected the IMST for new funds which are slated to launch in early 2010 upon completion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration process:

Advisory Research, Inc.Euro Pacific Asset Management, LLC*PEAK6 Advisors, LLCRWN3, LLCStrategic Asset Management, Ltd.Thesis Fund Management, LLC

*Advisor’s SEC filing expected in February 2010

“We like being part of a multiple-series trust because it’s a turn-key approach that lets us focus on building our business,” said Vic Fontana, president of Liberty Street Advisors, Inc., whose Liberty Street Horizon Fund became part of the IMST in October 2009.

“Two things drew us to UMB Fund Services – in addition to their technical and administrative capabilities,” said Fontana. “One was the proactive approach of their senior executives, who took the time to understand our business, discussed how we could build it, shared their extensive industry knowledge, and even offered professional referrals. On top of that, UMBFS was able to help our affiliates in other areas by serving as administrator to a hedge fund and a collective trust. Their personal attention and wide array of services allowed us to consolidate our service providers and solved a number of problems for us.”

“We’re very excited to see the enthusiastic response to our IMST offering,” said John Zader, CEO of UMBFS and president of the IMST. “Many of these new client funds are start-ups. The IMST helps a fund get started quickly and inexpensively, with a smaller staff and fewer internal processes to put in place. Plus, many of the tasks and obligations faced by mutual funds – such as hiring a chief compliance officer, an auditor, and legal counsel, and identifying qualified board members – are obligations of the trust and therefore do not become added burdens to a new fund. It’s a great way to get a fund up and running efficiently.”

Efficiency and ease of entry into the market are major advantages for clients. Chris Crawshaw, managing director of Advisory Research, whose All Cap Value Fund became part of the IMST in November 2009, said, “We know that we’re good at managing assets, and we didn’t want to get bogged down with setting up a board and all the other administrative aspects of starting a mutual fund. Joining the IMST allowed us to take the path of least resistance and get going with what we do best.

“We’ve known the folks at UMB for some time and like the quality of the organization,” added Crawshaw. “The people that run the IMST are professional, detail-oriented and always timely in responding to our needs. We’re very happy to let them focus on their expertise while we focus on ours.”

The IMST is offered through a partnership between UMBFS and Mutual Fund Administration Corporation (MFAC), a California-based firm that specializes in multiple-series trust administration.

According to Eric Banhazl, MFAC’s president, the partnership between UMB and MFAC has important benefits for clients. “MFAC has over 20 years of series trust experience, and UMB has served mutual funds for over 60 years. By partnering together, each team plays to its strengths – and the client enjoys the benefits of our all-around expertise. That makes the IMST a ‘best of breed’ service offering.

“Right now, many investment advisors are looking for ways to bring additional revenue into their firms,” Banhazl added. “Starting a mutual fund can open new markets – whether the fund is focused on individual investors, institutional investors or 401(k) plans. The IMST gives advisors a much simpler way to enter those markets and grow their business.”

To be part of the IMST, a fund must meet certain criteria. “We’re very careful about choosing the right asset managers, with solid investment strategies and a strong distribution plan, to join the trust,” said Zader. “We hope to partner with firms who will deliver competitive performance and will grow because they understand that a combination of their performance and a winning distribution strategy will fuel their success.”

About UMB Fund Services

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., UMB Fund Services offers a complete line of products and services to the fund industry, including administration and fund accounting, alternative investment services, investor services and transfer agency, marketing and distribution. It currently serves more than 160 clients with combined assets of more than $160 billion. UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF), the parent company of UMBFS, is a $10 billion financial services holding company headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. Its subsidiary, UMB Bank, n.a. (UMB), provides custody services for the IMST.

About Mutual Fund Administration Corp.

Mutual Fund Administration Corporation is a mutual fund administration services company specializing in fund formation and administration services. The company’s Principals have provided hands-on fund administration services to well over 100 mutual funds since 1990, including three successful multiple-series trusts composed of approximately 50 separate funds.