Company Press Release

FUSE Expands Decision Support Capabilities

November 4, 2013, Needham, MA – FUSE Research Network has expanded its strategic alliance with Bill Thomas, a financial services industry veteran with practical experience in two critical areas that are currently top of mind for most asset management firms: growth of the RIA channel and the expansion of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

"We have consulted with Bill in support of our clients for nearly 15 years, even before he joined Charles Schwab in 2000, and are excited to formalize a relationship that enables us to work more closely together," said T. Neil Bathon, founder of FUSE Research Network. "We have always been committed to delivering the highest level of decision support available to investment firms, and joining forces with Bill insures that we meet these standards."

"Bill’s unparalleled level of expertise in several of the industry’s most critical issues significantly bolster the value FUSE will be able to deliver to our clients," said Mike Evans, President of FUSE Research Network. "As ETF offerings continue to expand, Bill’s knowledge in this area will provide our clients with best practices in this increasingly competitive space."

"The FUSE approach to delivering tangible decision support fits in perfectly with my experience in both the distribution and manufacturing sides of the business," noted Thomas. "I look forward to helping support existing clients as well as building out additional capabilities in 2014."

Bill Thomas is currently CEO of ActiveETF Partners, which works with established and emerging asset managers, distributors, and related financial institutions to develop and launch actively managed ETFs to the global investment community. Prior to Active ETF Partners, Thomas was CEO of Grail Advisors and spent eight years as Senior Vice President at Charles Schwab, where he led a team in expanding and driving distribution of all investment products.

About FUSE Research Network

FUSE was launched in 2008 with the view that research and consulting support for asset managers has failed to evolve with the changing needs of the client. The future competitive environment will demand that clients make important business decisions within shorter and shorter timeframes.

In order to support clients in this setting, FUSE provides a dynamic research platform that covers our clients’ current and future decision areas (strategic and tactical). Our goal is to become an invaluable business partner through the delivery of highly informed and forward-looking recommendations that are among the critical inputs our clients need to optimize results. Learn more about FUSE by visiting us at www.fuse-research.com.