ABA to Endorse Security First Group for Investment Sales Programs

members use Security First Group when setting up investment sales programs. The ABA's seal of approval is potentially worth millions of dollars in mutual fund commissions for the Los Angeles marketing company. The deal, which is expected to close by yearend, is contingent upon Security First Group providing a bit more information about its operations, said John C. Wolff, managing director of the ABA unit that makes such endorsements. The ABA began looking for a new investment products marketer last summer, when the company that carried its endorsement - Wall Street Investor Services - sold its bank investment sales unit to Liberty Financial Cos. "All parties knew the endorsement wasn't transferable," Mr. Wolff said. The ABA likes the idea of using Security First Group because the company - formerly known as Holden Group - already carries the trade group's endorsement for annuity sales. Security First Group would work with CoreLink Resources, a brokerage owned by Bisys Group, to deliver the mutual fund products and services. The two companies recently announced that they have formed a strategic alliance to sell investments through community banks.