An unforgettable experience awaits at the 2024 ESI Elite Symposium!
Mark your calendars! On June 24-28, 2024, Equity Services will host our incentive conference, the ESI Elite Symposium, at the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, in downtown, Nashville, Tennessee.

Nashville Energy, Elevated Experience
Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the most sought after destinations in the U.S., world-renowned for its legendary music, southern gastronomy and culture. Recognized as the city of storytellers, Nashville is not to be missed!

The Four Seasons Hotel Nashville is a brand-new downtown experience of five-star luxury. Situated along the Cumberland River, it is a resort in the city.  Close to everything from the Grand Ole Opry to amazing craft breweries and honky-tonks, don’t miss this amazing opportunity of authentic southern hospitality!

The ESI Elite Symposium – An Exceptional Opportunity
The ESI Elite Symposium is an incentive conference providing advisors with the opportunity to hear from world class speakers, share ideas and network with peers. Business sessions are conducted in the mornings and include a wide range of topics such as best practices, economic commentary, prospecting ideas, and technology. Afternoons are open, giving you time to explore the property, Nashville, and all the activities available. Evenings include a planned dinner event and the time to network with your peers.

ESI’s Strategic Partners and Technology Partners attend the event, providing the opportunity for one-on-one time to discuss product, learn about technology, or simply dive deeper into a question.

The ESI Elite Symposium is an unforgettable experience that will help you continue to build your business and stay inspired! You have 6 more months to qualify, so don’t miss this opportunity.

How to Attend
Rep Qualifications:         $425,000* of GDC
Agency Qualifications:   $4,250,000* of GDC
Qualification Period:      01/01/2023 – 12/31/2023 Visit the NL Agent Portal for full Team Qualifications!

* Credits may be adjusted if needed to comply with the Massachusetts Fiduciary Rule. All Fixed Indexed Annuity Sales are excluded from this amount.

TC130762(0623)1

Read More  

This coming Monday, July 3rd, the markets are closing early. Equities markets close at 1pm EST and bond markets close at 2pm EST. Accordingly, ESI will be closing at 2pm EST this Monday.

Happy Independence Day!

TC134310(0623)1

Read More  

Register here for the ESI Business Development Conference

Have you registered for the Business Development Conference yet? In addition to training, sales, and practice management opportunities, you’ll hear from world class speakers, like Paul Ma.

Paul Ma is Vice President and Lead Portfolio Strategist on the Portfolio Construction Guidance (PCG) team at Fidelity Institutional (FI), the Fidelity Investments business that offers financial professionals and institutions access to the investment, technology, and platform solutions they need to service their clients and grow their businesses. His insight and experience, coupled with his engaging presentation style will be one of the many highlights of the conference.

ESI Business Development Conference
August 27-29, 2023
Register Now
Learn More

No registration fee to attend, ESI is hosting meals during conference. Attendees are responsible for travel and hotel fees.

Questions? Please contact ESIBusinessDevelopment@NationalLife.com.

TC134310(0623)1

Read More  

Equity Services Inc. (“ESI”) may not retain custody of client assets, including security/stock certificates and funds, or serve in any capacity that gives ESI and/or its representatives legal ownership, control of, or access to client funds or securities.  

In the event a branch office or Field OSJ receives funds (e.g. a check made payable to ESI, a representative, or a DBA) or securities (e.g. stock or bond) certificates from a client, the office must:

– Promptly record receipt of the items(s) on its Checks Received/Transaction Blotter and,

– Return the item(s) to the client by noon of the next business day following receipt. 

Custody Defined

RRs/IARs who have custody or possession of client securities or funds are subject to extensive regulation pursuant to SEA Rule 240.15c3-3(k)(2)(ii) for broker dealers and Rule 206(4)-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 for investment advisers. ESI is exempt from these rules as long as ESI does not maintain custody of client funds or securities. This requires that ESI clear all transactions with and for customers with a clearing firm and promptly transmit all customer funds and securities.

These rules define custody as “holding, directly or indirectly, client funds or securities, or having any authority to obtain possession of them.”

Examples

Examples of what constitutes custody include:

– Possession of client funds or securities

NOTE: the following would not constitute custody as long as, by no later than noon the next business day:

• Bond or stock certificates received from a client are returned to the client;
• Checks received in conjunction with a new account or transfer of funds are forwarded to the appropriate party; or
• Checks received for a subsequent investment are forwarded to the product offeror.

– Any arrangement which authorizes or permits an RR/IAR to withdraw client funds or securities (e.g., a general power of attorney, direct debiting of advisory fees, etc.)

– Any capacity (e.g. general partner of a limited partnership, trustee, etc.) that gives an RR/IAR or a supervised person legal ownership or access to client funds or securities

Examples of custody, which are prohibited by ESI/EFA policies, include:

– Having a general power of attorney or signatory power over a client’s account*

– Serving as a trustee of a client’s trust*

– Acting as a general partner of a limited partnership client

– Having access to a customer’s checking/savings account or even maintaining their login info for their banking website.

Procedure for Handling Inadvertent Receipt of Assets

In the event an office inadvertently receives funds or security certificates from a client:

– Promptly record receipt on the Checks Received/Transaction Blotter.

– Scan the item(s) into Docupace using “ESI Inadvertent Receipt” to properly record the handling for ESI records. Items to be scanned should include copies of the following, as applicable: 

     – Item(s) received (stock certificate(s) or improperly addressed customer check)

     – Correspondence returning item to client

     – Overnight package receipt with tracking number to ensure delivery

– Reject the item(s) in Docupace (submitter rejects).

– Return the item(s) to the client in-person or by overnight mail by noon of the next business day.

Questions

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ESI Compliance at 800-344-7437.

*Exceptions may be granted in situations involving family members (“family member” is a defined term in section 2.5.5 of the ESI Written Supervisory Procedures) but must be reviewed and approved by Compliance prior to establishing the relationship.

TC134310(0623)1

Read More  

Coming Soon! New Single Premium Deferred Annuities from National Life
The Single Premium Deferred Annuities lineup will be unveiled on June 24th.

Not available for sale in NY.

Learn more here!

TC134155(0623)1

Read More  

Now Available: 5-year Fixed Indexed Annuity from The Standard
This 5-year annuity offers the potential to accumulate cash value through interest credits based on growth of the S&P 500 Index, while offering capital preservation through a 0% floor. Click here for details.

Jackson’s Market Link Pro II Now Available
ESI is pleased to announce that Jackson’s Market Link Pro II is available for sale. Click here more for information regarding this new registered index-linked annuity (RILA) contract.

Morningstar Select Equity Portfolios to Close June 30, 2023
Morningstar will be closing a group of portfolios to new investors effective as of Friday, June 30, 2023. Click here for details.

Touchstone Sands Capital International Growth Fund Liquidation Notice
At a meeting held on May 18, 2023, the Touchstone Board of Trustees (“The Board”) approved a plan to close and liquidate the Touchstone Sands Capital International Growth Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is expected to close and liquidate on or about September 6, 2023 (the “Liquidation Date”). Click here for details.

TC134155(0623)1

Read More  

Living on the Edge
There were two overarching themes that drove bond market performance in May — the debt ceiling and the possibility of a Fed pause in June. The former issue was finally settled just as the month closed out, while the latter is now the dominant theme until June 14 when the next FOMC meeting concludes. During the month, most bond yields rose by 25-50 basis points, leaving total returns in negative territory for the period. Total returns for the Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Index and the Bloomberg Municipal Index were -0.73% and -0.87% respectively.

Read the entire commentary here.

TC134155(0623)1

Read More  

Join us for the ESI Business Development Conference, an in-person event that will immerse attendees in training, education, sales ideas, and networking sessions. Attendees will walk away with ideas that will help them efficiently and effectively grow their business!

The event is open to all Reps, Office Managers, Administrative Staff, Strategic Partners, Technology Partners, and Strategists.

ESI Business Development Conferenceccc
August 27-29, 2023
Westin Alexandria Old Town, Virginia
Learn More and Register

Questions? Contact ESIBusinessDevelopment@NationalLife.com.

TC134155(0623)1

Read More  

ESI is pleased to announce that the Index Select Annuity 5 is now available from The Standard. This 5-year annuity offers the potential to accumulate cash value through interest credits based on growth of the S&P 500 Index, while offering capital preservation through a 0% floor.

If you are interested in receiving product materials or hypothetical illustrations, please contact the marketing partner, TruChoice at 800-886-4757.

TC134077(0623)1

Read More  

Inherited IRAs: Rules and Client Conversations
Presented by Pacific Life and ESI
Watch the Recorded Webinar Here

This webinar addresses the various questions that may come up when someone inherits an IRA. As a financial professional, providing information regarding the available options to a beneficiary helps them and helps you. Beneficiaries of a now-deceased client may, in turn, be looking for investment help including, but perhaps not limited to, the account about which he or she is calling. One way to showcase your skills is by helping him or her navigate these complex rules. This recording will introduce and explain the rules around inherited IRAs, as well as address common client and beneficiary questions.

TC134077(0623)1

Read More