Managed programs are playing a greater role in Canadians’ overall investment portfolios, as indicated by the rapid growth of such products as Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.’s Quotential Program.

Franklin Templeton says Quotential has attracted $5 billion in assets under management in just three years and seven months.

“Our high net worth specialists developed this program in response to our clients’ demands for a simple way to bundle together a portfolio of funds that could meet their varying investment goals and risk tolerances,” says Don Reed, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton. “And we’re still listening to our clients, expanding the program from four to seven portfolios as their investment needs have evolved.”

Quotential is managed by Franklin Templeton Investments Private Client Group, which brings more than 20 years’ experience providing portfolio management and advisory services to affluent Canadian investors.

The program provides an all-in-one solution for investors who are looking for diversification by investment style, asset class, market cap and geographical region. Reed believes that it’s this diversification that is the driver behind the success of Quotential.

“In my years of working with investment legend Sir John Templeton, one concept he always emphasized to me was the importance of diversification,” says Reed.

The numbers are showing that investors have been heeding this advice. According to Investor Economics, managed programs grew in assets by 24% while stand-alone funds only grew in assets by 13%, in 2005.