Fund company notes that the Internet is RIA's preferred information channel. In keeping with other upgrades to its website, Boston-based fund company MFS Investment Management has launched a new online portal for RIAs.

"We know the web is a preferred channel through which RIAs gather product information and interact with asset management firms," says Bill Finnegan, head of retail marketing at MFS. "Providing tools and access to our products in a clear and user-friendly format via the Internet is a winning proposition for RIAs and MFS."

New stuff

Kasina, a New York-based management consultancy, recently named MFS as one of the "Top Ten Financial Intermediary" websites for 2007. Kasina surveyed 101 advisor websites for accessibility, quality of content and overall "user experience."

MFS came third on Kasina's 2006 list behind Franklin Templeton Investments and American Funds and ahead of Putnam Investments and John Hancock Funds.

MFS' new portal is meant to serve as a hub for MFS' its "value-added" marketing and research services -- by which the fund company aims to give advisors information such as fund attribution analysis, portfolio commentaries, portfolio holdings analysis, and sector-security attribution.

The website has also added video clips of MFS portfolio managers and industry professionals, a "quick pick" grid of MFS' product offerings and a trade-news portal.

Among enhancements to come are access to Morningstar's Site Builder for access to more tools for comparing funds and site redesign in aid of easier navigation.

MFS has $204 billion in assets under management. -FWR

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