Advisors Financial Center Teams With Neuberger Berman to Improve Portfolio Management Capabilities.

Business Editors

SUFFERN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2001

Firm Will Market the AFC Fund

Advisory Service to Financial Professionals

Advisors Financial Center ("AFC"), a coordinator of managed portfolio and financial services for industry professionals and investors, announced today that it has retained Neuberger Berman Management Inc. to provide it with portfolio construction and management advice.

Under the agreement, Advisors Financial Center markets and distributes the AFC Fund Advisory Service program to registered investment advisors, CPAs, insurance specialists, and other sophisticated portfolio managers. AFC will utilize its expertise in aiding financial professionals seeking experience, knowledge and skills to help manage their clients' mutual fund portfolios.

"Our partnership with Neuberger Berman demonstrates how we seek out the best

money managers and other financial service professionals for our investors," said Kevin G. Kern, managing partner, Advisors Financial Center.

Included in the new AFC Fund Advisory Service program:

Initial Portfolio Analysis

- A complete evaluation of client's current portfolio, looking for 

proper diversification and construction, as well as the

risk/reward characteristics of the individual holdings.

Ongoing Account Review

- Analysis to ensure that each portfolio remains aligned with

long-term goals and objectives while providing portfolio and

market information to the investment professional.

Quarterly Portfolio Reporting

- Easy to understand account statements provided to the client and

financial professional to help evaluate the performance and

objective of client's portfolios.

Ongoing Review of Client's Personal Investment Policy

- Analysis of changing financial goals, income needs, liquidity

preference, time horizons and other special concerns to assure

investment objectives succeed.

"At Neuberger Berman, we are always looking for new strategic partners," said Peter E. Sundman, Executive Vice President. "Advisors Financial Center has created a unique niche that supports independent financial advisors in their mission to offer the highest quality investment products and services to their clients."

Advisors Financial Center has also signed an agreement to refer its high net worth clients to the Private Asset Management Group of Neuberger Berman, which offers U.S. and foreign equity, fixed-income, balanced, and socially responsive investments. Through this referral arrangement, AFC's clients gain access to Neuberger Berman's highly personalized investment process where an investor's needs are assessed and then matched to a particular portfolio manager, offering value and growth disciplines or more opportunistic methodologies.

Established in 1998, Advisors Financial Center operates a sophisticated asset allocation program that provides a "Wealth Coordinator," who works as an intermediary between individuals and their financial planning, tax, estate and portfolio management professionals. Taking into account individual financial objectives, risk tolerances and time horizons, the AFC Wealth Coordinator sets goals and benchmarks to evaluate progress and risks for the client investors. They do this by devising an overall Financial Blue Print, coordinating implementation, and monitoring its effectiveness. AFC Wealth Coordinators do not construct portfolios; they help clients choose among the most appropriate money managers and other financial service professionals the industry has to offer.

Neuberger Berman is an investment advisory company that has provided clients with a broad range of investment products, services and strategies for more than 60 years. The firm engages in private asset management, estate planning and trust services, mutual funds and institutional management, and professional securities services for individuals, institutions, corporations, pension funds, foundations and endowments.