"Its multi-faceted approach to researching investment opportunities ultimately makes our investment and compliance framework much stronger and will deliver better investment outcomes for our clients."

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the asset management arm of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), announced today that The Findex Group, one of Australia's largest financial services and accounting groups, has appointed SSGA to provide tactical asset allocation and advisory services for the group's AU$15 billion funds under management following its recent acquisition of Crowe Horwath Australasia.

SSGA will also work with The Findex Group's internal investment team across all brands under the group's banner.

"We are pleased to appoint SSGA to provide strategic asset allocation advice across all our brands, including Financial Index Wealth Accountants, Centric Wealth, Crowe Horwath Australasia, MOVO, CIVIC Financial Planning and Prescott Securities," said Kieran Canavan, chief investment officer of the Findex Group.

"The key relationship that the Findex Group has developed with SSGA is designed to streamline our business structure and operating model, and follows a rigorous review of our research needs. This review of administration, investment and asset allocation research and consulting support was part of our overall investment and compliance framework and ties in with our recent acquisition of Crowe Horwath Australasia."

Canavan said SSGA would provide insight across a wide range of investment strategies and multiple asset classes.

"Its multi-faceted approach to researching investment opportunities ultimately makes our investment and compliance framework much stronger and will deliver better investment outcomes for our clients."

Peter Mitchell, managing director of business development for SSGA Australia, said SSGA is looking forward to working closely with the Findex Group through SSGA's Investment Solutions Group (ISG), which manages more than US$150 billion in asset allocation strategies globally.

"As one of the largest institutional asset managers in the world, we have significant global experience and resources in providing asset allocation solutions to a diverse client base, which we are excited to share with Kieran Canavan and his team," he said.

"This experience, together with our extensive tactical asset allocation skills, will help tailor solutions to meet the needs of, and add value to, Findex Group's clients."

Canavan said the Findex Group was constantly looking at ways to improve, including bringing certain services internally to the group such as managed discretionary account administration and research services.

"SSGA will help the Findex Group determine the best mix of assets and investment styles to ensure they are cost effective and deliver reliable, consistent performance," he added.About State Street Global Advisors

SSGA is a global leader in asset management. The firm is relied on by sophisticated investors worldwide for its disciplined investment process, powerful global investment platform and access to every major asset class, capitalization range and style.


About State Street Global Advisors

For nearly four decades, State Street Global Advisors has been committed to helping our clients, and those who rely on them achieve financial security. We partner with many of the world's largest, most sophisticated investors and financial intermediaries to help them reach their goals through a rigorous, research-driven investment process spanning both indexing and active disciplines. With trillions* in assets, our scale and global reach offer clients unrivaled access to markets, geographies and asset classes, and allow us to deliver thoughtful insights and innovative solutions.

State Street Global Advisors is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation.

*Assets under management were US$2.82 trillion as of December 31, 2014. This AUM total includes the assets of the SPDR Gold Trust (approx. $27.3 billion as of December 31, 2014), for which State Street Global Markets, LLC, an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors, serves as the marketing agent. Please note that AUM totals are unaudited.


About the Findex Group

The Findex Group is one of Australia's largest non-aligned and privately owned financial advisory and accounting groups. It has businesses across the spectrum of the financial advice and accounting industry including middle range, high net worth, public sector and online.

The Findex Group's portfolio of financial services brands and businesses includes Financial Index Wealth Accountants, Centric Wealth, Crowe Horwath Australasia, MOVO, CIVIC Financial Planning and Prescott Securities.

Findex Group businesses have more than $15 billion under management.

Findex has been awarded the IFA Excellence Awards for best dealer group 2014 and listed in the BRW 2014 Most Innovative Companies list.

More about the Findex Group: www.findexgroup.com.au

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