First Associates Asset Management today announced an exclusively managed product for sophisticated investors. Initial subscriptions are available starting at $150,000.

Canadian Equity, U.S. Equity and High Income Fund Pools will be available in the Disciplined Leadership MultiFund. The fund is focused on capital preservation and growth, and the reduction of risk through diversification and customized asset allocation.

The fund structure provides the added benefit of tax efficiency, enabling investors to reallocate among the three pools without triggering a taxable event.

The First Associates Asset Management team includes: Bruce Hartman, portfolio manager and a 37-year industry veteran; Greg Guichon, portfolio manager, providing extensive day-to-day management responsibility of the fund; David Burrows, president of First Associates and investment strategist for the fund and Tim Hale, advising on fixed income securities.

“This exclusively managed product was created to meet the specialized needs of private clients and institutional investors in today’s challenging investment climate,” says David Burrows. “The fund offers investors access to our top ranked money managers and our proven investment management process in a unique and cost effective fund structure,” he added.

A first closing of up to $3-million for the MultiFund is scheduled for November 9. Total assets under management by First Associates are expected to exceed $650-million before the end of the year.

“The number one investment objective for high net worth individuals is preservation of capital,” says Mr. Burrows. “During the frothy period of the market, some investors decided to invest on their own and not pay a management fee. But in a difficult market that doesn’t work and what we’re hearing now is that investors are looking for an alternative to better protect their downside risk,” he adds.