2003 Press Releases
FOLIOfn Awarded a Patent for its Unique Method of FOLIO Investing—Allowing Efficient Securities Portfolio Trading
09/12/2003
VIENNA, Virginia – FOLIOfn, Inc., an innovative online brokerage firm and financial services technology provider, announced that it has received patent #6,601,044 on its proprietary window trading functionality. This is the fifth patent that FOLIOfn has been granted since its inception in 1998.
The most recent patent grants a broad set of claims on the business method underlying FOLIOfn’s securities portfolio window trading functionality using odd lots and fractional shares. This methodology, known as “FOLIO Investing,” introduced a unique way for retail investors to create, easily and simply, a completely personalized basket of securities (a “Folio”) that can be bought, sold and modified at a low cost.
Building on our existing functionality and the FOLIO Investing concept, FOLIOfn also offers the most unique and efficient separately managed account (SMA) platform on the market—a platform that easily allows for mixing different security types in models managed by multiple managers within one account. Through FOLIO Advisor and FOLIO Manager, FOLIOfn provides superior portfolio management, model synchronization and trading front office technology, with integrated tax management tools, automated stock exclusions, online proxy voting, client level access, multiple client and firm level permissioning, and much more.
Steven M. H. Wallman, CEO and Founder of FOLIOfn, said, “We are pleased that this patent has been granted and expect that it will allow us to strengthen our position in the financial services marketplace as it is a rare occurrence that a patent is issued for a new way of investing. We feel that we are uniquely positioned as a robust brokerage solution that provides instant diversification on a cost-effective basis, permitting a smarter way to invest. We believe this patent will allow us to enhance our existing retail and advisor sales and partnership efforts as well as our technology licensing opportunities.”
Chris Broussard, Head of Retail Marketing for FOLIOfn, said, “Our proprietary portfolio window trading functionality is the backbone of the FOLIOfn system. Customers can purchase baskets of up to 50 securities in a single transaction by leveraging the fractional share and odd lot capabilities of FOLIOfn’s sophisticated brokerage platform. The smaller investor now can benefit from the advantages of a diversified portfolio that formerly only wealthy investors were able to access.”
Greg Vigrass, Vice President and Head of FOLIOfn Institutional Sales, added, “This patent makes our technology even more attractive in the marketplace and will assist us in furthering our institutional brokerage services to advisors, brokers, banks and sponsors as well as our technology licensing initiatives to large financial institutions. The range of potential users and licensees is great given that the FOLIOfn platform is uniquely able to accommodate and offer value-added services across a wide range of offerings, from low cost retail investing to ‘recommended’ accounts to advised accounts to multi-disciplinary accounts.”
About Folio Investing
Folio Investing, a division of FOLIOfn Investments, Inc., is an online brokerage that enables investors to manage stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds as integrated investment portfolios called “Folios” that deliver better control, greater transparency, and lower cost. Investors can create their own Folios, much like creating personalized ETFs or mutual funds, or invest in over 100 Ready-to-Go Folios representing market indices, sectors, geographical regions, target dates, and more. The Folio Unlimited Plan features unlimited commission-free trading in twice-daily windows for only $29 a month or $290 a year. Ready-to-Go Folios can be managed or unmanaged, are not registered investment companies, and are offered by FOLIOfn Investments, Inc., a registered broker-dealer. FOLIOfn Investments, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. FOLIOfn Investments, Inc., is a member of FINRA/SIPC.