Acadient Introduces the Certified Mutual Fund Specialist Program -CMFS-.

Business Editors/Financial & Mutual Fund Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2003

Acadient:

-- Developed with The National Investment Company Service

Association (NICSA), The CMFS Highlights the Need for

Increasing Education in the Mutual Fund Industry; The General

Public is Invited to Try A Module for Free

Acadient, a leading developer and distributor of online education, today introduced the Certified Mutual Fund Specialist Program (CMFS), a new certification of the National Investment Company Service Association (NICSA).

In addition, Acadient also announced it will offer "Free Module Access" at www.acadient.com for the general public interested in learning more about the Mutual Fund Industry.

"There has never been a better time for education in the Mutual Fund industry," said Bob Goldberg, managing director of Acadient and formerly the senior compliance officer of John Hancock Distributors and president of NICSA. "The Mutual Fund Program is one of the fastest growing certifications in the industry. It's timely and relevant to the rapid worldwide growth of the industry and today's more rigorous regulatory environment. It's also an area of interest to consumers who wish to educate themselves, and that's why we've offered free access to an important module."

The CMFS Program is a one-of-a-kind Web-based blended training program for Mutual Fund Industry professionals. It's comprised of 14 modules in three courses, covering approximately 24 hours of material. The courses include:

-- Overview of the Mutual Fund Industry

-- Mutual Fund Operations

-- Mutual Fund Distribution & Marketing

"We're delighted to introduce this new designation to our 400 member firms and their employees as well as other companies and associations which deal with the mutual fund industry," said Barbara V. Weidlich, president of the National Investment Company Service Association (NICSA). "Our industry will significantly benefit from its own designation and it's been approved for Continuing Education credits by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) which we hope will expand its reach. The CMFS offers anyone interested in beginning or continuing their mutual fund education a flexible, cost-effective and enriching program."

Upon successful completion of the entire program, students receive the CMFS designation and certificate. The National Investment Company Service Association maintains a database of designated CMFS professionals to ensure portability throughout the industry.

Professionals currently using the MFIS designation can apply to change to the CMFS designation without incurring any costs or taking additional classes. Students currently enrolled in the MFIS will receive the CMFS upon the program's completion.

The comprehensive interactive courses, available through The National Investment Company Service Association's Online Training Center (www.nicsa.org) and the Acadient Academy (www.Acadient.com), help financial industry professionals, students and investors learn about mutual fund history, regulations, providers, structure, operations, distribution and marketing. The general public is invited to access, free of charge, "The Structure of the Mutual Fund Industry" by visiting www.acadient.com.

Companies in the financial services industry can use CMFS as part of employee training, for compliance with firm element requirements, as part of an employee development, compensation, and promotion program, or an enterprise-wide education and training program. The course also is ideal for individuals interested in a financial services career.

About Acadient

Based in Boston, Acadient is the nation's leading developer and distributor of interactive, multimedia education and training for the financial services industry. Approved by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a continuing education provider, Acadient partners with premier industry and academic organizations including the National Investment Company Service Association (NICSA), Society of Professional Administrators and Record Keepers (SPARK), Pearson Education, Financial Planning Association, Keir Educational Resources, The National Underwriter Company and Boston University. Visit www.Acadient.com for more information.

About The National Investment Company Service Association (NICSA)

For more than 40 years, The National Investment Company Service Association (NICSA) has provided leadership and innovation in educational programming and information exchange within the operations sector of the mutual fund industry worldwide. Located in the greater Boston area in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, USA, NICSA was established in 1962 as an informal forum for operations and shareholder servicing professionals in the mutual fund industry. NICSA membership totals more than 400 companies operating in major financial centers in the United States and Europe. The membership represents all segments of the mutual fund industry in a dozen countries and 27 states within the continental United States, and includes mutual fund complexes, investment management companies, custodian banks, transfer agents and independent providers of specialized products and services.