What is Trends and Best Practices in Investor Statements?Dalbar’s Trends and Best Practices in Investor Statements is an annual evaluation and ranking of statements in the following distribution channels:

• Brokerage
• Mutual funds
• Variable annuities
• Defined Contribution plans
• Defined Benefit plans
• “Total Retirement” (statements documenting multiple retirement plans)

Results offer a series of channel-specific reports that identify and rank top performing statements, summarize current best practices in statement content and design and reveal emerging industry trends.

What Are the Benefits of Participation?

• Public recognition of industry-leading statements, when applicable
• Insights into practices that promote positive investor behavior, reduce costs, and support the role of the financial professional
• Identification and quantification of competitive standing
• Access to examples of best-in-class statements

What Does Participation in the Trends and Best Practices Program Offer?A comprehensive, channel-specific report that includes:

• Overview of the overall landscape in statement design and content
• Best practices and emerging trends
• Statement ranking and benchmarking
• A full description and breakdown of the criteria used to evaluate statements
• Access to images of each channel’s top statements

A summary report of an individual statement’s evaluation results:

• Scores earned by a firm’s statement for all evaluation criteria
• Industry benchmarks to provide context for a firm’s score and rank

A Gap Analysis of Your Firm’s Statement:

• Detailed assessment of your statement, identifying specific areas for improvement
• A half hour of consultation with Dalbar Communication Experts

What is the Cost?

For more information on participation, including statement submission tips and guidelines, please visit www.research.dalbar.com.