Consumer Module of DSG Trust Distribution Report Complete

February 7, 2003, Wayne, PA — The Diversified Services Group (DSG) publicly announced the completion of the Consumer Module of its ninth report in its ongoing research series, RM2 Reports™ today. The study, Trust Distribution 2002, is composed of four modules covering; a comprehensive market mapping, senior executive interviews, financial advisor interviews and consumer survey results. It provides an in-depth expansion on prior work done by DSG in the Trust Services area as a part of its ongoing research and consulting activities in support of clients who are addressing the Retirement Management Market.

The Consumer module of this study was based on interviews of consumers age 50 or over who have established a trust. The survey captures Trusts that are both funded and not yet funded, and indicates far greater usage of Trust Services than can be accounted for using bank regulatory or IRS data.

• Among the 50+ population, about 12% of consumers have established a trust.
• Over 25% of all respondents first learned about their trust provider from a friend or relative.
• 2.4% of the 50+ trust universe have a trust with assets in excess of $1.0 million.
• More than half of trust users would consider switching to a different trust provider

According to Jim Sholder, a DSG Principal and lead consultant on this module, "This is a statistically projectable sample. In conjunction with the market mapping module, it indicates that a substantial segment of this market is served outside the traditional bank trust channel. Our 1998 and this recent study focus on the strategies and tactics these non-traditional providers are using to gain market share. In the past four years the line between the traditional and the non-traditional providers has become far more permeable with players from all sectors adopting practices for other sectors."

The RM2 Reports™ are a series of syndicated research projects undertaken on behalf of clients and focused on issues that clients face as they develop services, products and marketing initiatives to reach individuals and compete at and after the Retirement Inflexion Point™.

DSG provides consulting, research and information services to the financial services industry. DSG’s mission is to help clients achieve their full potential by defining their appropriate position on the financial services industry map, and then developing and implementing optimal strategies to achieve that position. Combining a financial services focus, senior executive experience, and a distinctive industry perspective enhanced by ongoing research, publishing and consulting; DSG represents a unique resource to our clients.

For further information, contact:

James Sholder, Principal

Ph: 610-889-1792
Fax: 610-989-1730

The Diversified Services Group, Inc.
303 West Lancaster Avenue
Suite 1A
Wayne, PA 19087-3938

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