Briefly:

Previously: | MON | TUE | WED | THU |

Following the merger of LOMA and LIMRA, the resulting entity has announced the LOMA/LIMRA Canada Annual Conference, slated for June 9, 2009 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Known as the most comprehensive event for life and health insurance professionals in Canada, this year’s conference will be the first time that LIMRA and LOMA are hosting it together.

Keynote speaker Nick Bontis, Ph.D. will present “Working Smarter” and Paul Grimes, senior vice-president individual sales, Industrial Alliance, will address the “The Canadian Financial Services Landscape – What is on the Horizon.”

LIMRA International provides research, consulting, and other services to 800 insurance and financial services companies. LOMA provides resources to their worldwide members in the insurance and financial services industry to improve their management and operations.

For complete program information and registration details, visit the LOMA website.

• • •

IIFA names new officers

The International Investment Funds Association (IIFA) has appointed Peter De Proft as chair and Susan Olson as vice-chair of the board of directors.

The IIFA represents the global investment management industry for collective portfolio management and is headquartered in the Montreal.

De Proft is director general of the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) and served as deputy-chair of IIFA. Olson, is senior counsel, international affairs, of the U.S.-based Investment Company Institute, and has been a member of the IIFA board in the past.

• • •

Claymore removes automatic feature from DRIP

Claymore Investments announced today that it has removed the “automatic” feature of their auto DRIP (automatic dividend reinvestment plan). As a result, the plan will be referred to as a DRIP.

Going forward, unitholders of the firm’s ETFs wishing to have their distributions reinvested will be required to contact their investment advisor or brokerage firm directly. As for the unitholders wishing to receive their distributions in the form of cash payment, no action is required.

The change was made to accommodate the requirements of select number of CDS participants and is effective as of May 14, 2009.

(05/15/09)