Hartford Investments Canada today launched a new fund designed to provide risk-averse investors with a balanced approach to global investing, under the leadership of world-class portfolio managers. The firm aso also announced the introduction of an automatic bump-up to the advisor trail commission upon expiry of its deferred sales charge schedule.

The new Hartford Global Balanced Fund is co-managed by Bill Kanko, president of Black Creek Investment Management Inc. and portfolio manager to Hartford Global Leaders Fund; Robert Crusha, vp of Hartford Investment Management and portfolio manager to Hartford Canadian Money Market Fund and Hartford Canadian Bond Fund; Raymond Uy, vp of Hartford Investment Management and co-manager of Hartford Canadian Bond Fund.

Kanko will manage the equity portion of Hartford Global Balanced Fund, while Crusha and Uy will share leadership responsibilities for the fund’s fixed income portion. Together, they will employ a collaborative approach to the fund’s asset allocation.

“A global balanced fund is an ideal portfolio solution for investors looking to diversify outside Canada: it emphasizes a stable and consistent investment approach through the combined leadership of seasoned money management,” said Laurie Davis, president, Hartford Canada. “Hartford Global Balanced Fund leverages Bill Kanko’s proven track record of success in global equity, and pairs it with fixed income experts Hartford Investment Management, with assets of more than US$300 billion and more than 100 investment professionals.”

Hartford Canada also announced an automatic trail increase upon expiry of its deferred sales charge schedule on Class B units. The maximum annual service fee rate will increase from the current 0.50% to 1.00%.