REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 10, 1998 —
— Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Money 99 Financial Suite, which extends Money’s leadership in providing integrated financial planning directly into personal financial software by working with American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA), the pioneer of long-term financial planning.
Microsoft sought out the financial planning expertise of AEFA more than a year ago, and the two companies have been working together closely throughout the development of Money 99 Financial Suite. With Microsoft technology and AEFA financial planning expertise, Money 99 Financial Suite provides complete and credible financial planning that can be tailored to consumers’ unique financial situations to help them plan and achieve their individual financial goals.
Microsoft and American Express Financial Advisors have addressed one of the most critical financial concerns consumers have today – long-term financial planning. About
70 percent of U.S. households are not fully confident that they will reach their financial goals, and 50 percent have either no financial strategy or an incomplete plan (source: 1996-1997 MacroMonitor from SRI Consulting*). Because Money 99 Financial Suite integrates financial planning right into the personal finance manager, the software automatically updates financial plans when new information is added, so consumers are able to see their entire financial picture in one place without having to update other sections of the program. Working with AEFA is just another example of Microsoft’s serious commitment to innovation and leadership in the personal finance category.
“Combining Microsoft’s software expertise with American Express’ financial planning insight brings unmatched planning guidance to Money 99 users,”
said Lewis Levin, vice president of the desktop finance division at Microsoft.
“Working with the American Express Financial Advisors allowed us to enhance Money 99’s financial planning tools with content from the largest financial planning firm in the country. We will continue to look for new and innovative ways to deliver the best financial content and services to our customers.”
In-Depth Financial Planning Now Available with Money 99 Financial Suite
“The work we’ve done with Microsoft is a direct result of more than 100 years of real-world financial planning experience,”
said Dave Hubers, president and CEO of American Express Financial Advisors.
“Through Money 99 Financial Suite, AEFA is able to assist a growing number of consumers in applying key financial planning principles to their personal situation. As Money 99 Financial Suite customers, they are far more familiar with the process and importance of planning, and therefore more prepared should they require more specialized financial guidance and individual advice from a professional financial advisor.”
Money 99 Financial Suite incorporates important financial planning principles based on the work with AEFA. For example, the Lifetime Planner uses a state-specific, effective tax rate and automatically calculates the tax rate every year until the plan ends, resulting in a far more accurate view than other financial planning software. Money 99 Financial Suite also allows users to link related events, such as selling their current house when buying a new one, which means less data entry and more accurate planning. Users also benefit from a recommended asset allocation strategy based on their desired rate of return and a personalized, 20-page financial plan
tailored to a user’s specific financial situation. This is an important tool for those customers who choose to complement their plan with personalized advice and counsel from a professional financial planner. A toll-free phone number is provided in the Help section for consumers who would like to locate the nearest office of the AEFA.
About American Express Financial Advisors
American Express Financial Advisors is one of the oldest and largest financial services companies in the United States, with more than $200 billion in assets owned or managed. Formerly known as IDS, the 104-year-old company, based in Minneapolis, offers a comprehensive range of financial services through more than 8,800 advisors nationwide. To find out more about AEFA services, call (800) 990-5279, or visit the Web site at http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
* Not fully confident means respondents are somewhat confident, not very confident, or not confident at all.
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