First Data Investor Services Group has signed a deal with ADP Investor Communications Services to jointly market a system to deliver mutual fund information to brokerage firms.
The system, dubbed Brokerconnect, has been in development for some time and is scheduled to roll out at Salomon Smith Barney this year, said Jack P. Kutner, president of First Data. Merrill Lynch & Co. has also been testing the system but has not committed itself to rolling it out companywide, Mr. Kutner said.
ADP will market the program and provide technical support on the brokerage side. First Data will offer the same support on the mutual fund side.
Westborough, Mass.-based First Data has signed up four fund companies: Lord Abbett, Pimco Advisors, GT Global, and American Funds Group.