Touchstone Investments [profile] has hired BNY Mellon Asset Servicing to replace JPMorgan as the transfer agent, sub-administrator and fund accountant of its mutual fund family. The switch took effect December 5 [ SEC filing].

Touchstone's 42 mutual funds have more than $7 billion in assets and more than 110,000 shareholders.

Aside from pointing to BNY Mellon's technology and range of service offerings, Touchstone president Steve Graziano also noted in a press release BNY Mellon's "strong network of broker-dealer relationships" which he said will help Touchstone better connect with its key distribution partners.

Meanwhile, Touchstone is in the process of acquiring select assets of Old Mutual Asset Management's mutual fund business. Under the deal, unveiled last month, 17 Old Mutual funds will be reorganized into Touchstone funds. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of next year.

According to SEC filings, DST Systems serves as the Old Mutual funds' transfer agent and BNY Mellon serves as sub-administrator.

Company Press Release

BNY Mellon to Provide Mutual Fund Services to Touchstone Investments

Mandate includes fund accounting and administration, transfer agency and blue sky services

NEW YORK, December 6, 2011 � BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, the global leader in investment services, has been selected by Touchstone Investments to provide mutual fund accounting and administration, transfer agency, and blue sky services for the Touchstone Funds, which have more than $7 billion in assets and more than 110,000 shareholder accounts. BNY Mellon also will provide call center servicing and regulatory services for Touchstone's 42 mutual funds.

"We are confident that through its robust technology and the depth and breadth of its service offering BNY Mellon will provide the support we require to continue to grow our business," said Stephen Graziano, president of Touchstone Investments. "In addition, its strong network of broker-dealer relationships will help us better connect with our key distribution partners."

"Our demonstrated industry leadership, high quality client service, and our continual investment in technology were key factors in Touchstone's decision to select BNY Mellon," said Nancy Wolcott, executive vice president and head of U.S. fund services at BNY Mellon. "Our ability to deliver flexible middle- and back-office services, combined with our ability to support our clients� distribution efforts, have made our continued momentum in the asset servicing space possible."

BNY Mellon currently provides fund accounting and administration services for more than 164 fund complexes with $1.3 trillion in assets in more than 1,500 funds, shareholder recordkeeping services to over 95 million shareholder accounts and middle-office outsourcing services to over 70 clients worldwide.

Touchstone Investments is a mutual fund company committed to providing investors with access to institutional asset managers who act in a sub-advisory capacity. While its sub-advisors are held to strict performance standards, they work with a large measure of independence and operate within their own demonstrated areas of expertise. Touchstone�s rigorous asset manager evaluation process and robust oversight approach are designed to ensure delivery on Touchstone�s commitment of achieving competitive long-term results. The Touchstone Funds are advised by Touchstone Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor, and are distributed nationally through intermediaries including broker-dealers, financial planners and institutions by Touchstone Securities, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. For more information, please visit TouchstoneInvestments.com. BNY Mellon Asset Servicing offers clients worldwide a broad spectrum of specialized asset servicing capabilities, including custody and fund services, securities lending, performance and analytics, and execution services. BNY Mellon Asset Servicing provides services through BNY Mellon and other related companies.

BNY Mellon is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, offering superior investment management and investment services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $25.9 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.2 trillion in assets under management, services $11.9 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.6 trillion per day. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.

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