Aegon software helps track suitability of investments.

An Iowa-based investment products marketing company is distributing a computer program to help its clients comply with growing regulatory requirements.

Aegon USA said the software will enable its clients - 160 banks, thrifts, and credit unions - to develop detailed financial profiles of their customers.

That could help these institutions demonstrate that they have matched their customers with investments that suit their financial goals, said Thomas K. Walsh, sales support manager at the Cedar Rapids-based company.

Ensuring the suitability of investments is a cornerstone of the brokerage industry's rules of fair practice, which are administered by the National Association of Securities Dealers.

Guidelines modeled on the NASD rules apply to banks that sell securities. Mr. Walsh said some bank examiners are asking banks to update customer profiles annually to make sure investment objectives haven't changed.

The program, which is being provided free to some Aegon clients and at a cost of $169 to others, gauges customers' current and future investment needs and generates investment recommendations.

Aegon's sales representatives are asking customers to sign a printout of the results, which are then kept on file.

Several other investment products marketing companies offer similar programs. Among them: Invest Financial Corp., Tampa, Fla.

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