After administering soft dollar programs for many years, we have found that providing investment managers with access to leading domestic and international clearing and executing firms for the utmost in trading flexibility, combined with the most aggressive rates available, enables us to assist investment managers in maximizing their commission dollars and controlling their research costs in a more effective manner.

While reviewing soft dollar budgets, we recommend that our institutional clients take a look at their current trading relationships in order to gauge whether they are currently receiving trading flexibility and best execution necessary. We also encourage potential clients to evaluate their conversion ratios to determine if they are obtaining the most aggressive rates available.

Once an institution has completed the due diligence outlined above, the next step is to determine the approximate dollar amount of liabilities, i.e. invoices to be paid under Section 28(e), which will be directed to NWT Financial for payment. Next, a conversion ratio based on the dollar amount of the commitment, the average ticket size, and the average trading volume will be negotiated. Finally, trading contacts will be issued so that accounts may be set up with the clearing and executing firm(s) of your choice.

NWT Financial Group offers the flexibility to use the difference between your customary commission rates and NWT Financial Group's rate to apply to the soft dollar program.