Anyone use "Allocated Link" for imported investment data?

[jkharvey]

I have a question for those who import investment account data using Allocated Link. We have a lot of clients who have investments at American Funds. Currently, however, American Funds is not one of the investment companies that is available on the Allocated Link function. Someone at Corbel suggested that we might be able to import the American Funds investment file using another investment company's format in the Allocated Link. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did you do it?

[pmacduff]

I too am curious about this. I know that you can download a *.csv file from American Funds, so I was thinking about putting that in Excel and then importing via a regluar DER. I had not heard that you might be able to use another format in the Investment Allocated Link...interesting. I supposed if another Co. used the *.csv format (like MFS, I think) it might just work. But it seems like everything would have to be in exactly the right position....sorry I wasn't any help, but I hope you get some response on this one so I wanted to subscribe!!

[R. Butler]

Interesting. I've never tried what you suggest for American Funds. We do use the link for another investment product. We handle our American Funds plans similar to how pmacduff suggests. Its not as quick as the link, but its better then doing it by hand.

If I get time when I do the quarterly reconciliations I will look at the link & see if I can manipulate the American Funds files easily. If I can I'll let you know, but it will be about 3 weeks before I get to it.

[jkharvey]

Currently we are doing what you guys are with the American Funds .csv files. It would just be much nicer if we could make a few minor manipulations and use allocated link. When I spoke w/ Corbel about it I was told that American Funds would have to request to have their files added to the allocated link and I think he said something about a fee involved. From my experience w/ American Funds I don't see that happening any time soon. Not my favorite Fund Family.

[Guest txtech]

I have the same interest in a link as you guys do. Maybe if we got enough TPA names on a list requesting such a link and sent it to American Funds, we might get results. A link would enhance this product tremendously. I have thought about writing a conversion utility in Excel that would convert the CSV file into a format easily imported into Relius. But, time is short for such things as you folks know!

[Guest susa]

I am also struggling with the American Funds csv file. I was told by Relius to try using the MFS allocated link, but it didn't work. If someone has tried that, please let me know how I need to manipulate the csv file to make it work. Thanks.

[pmacduff]

Ok Susa - you have my curiosity piqued!! Right now I am finishing up some December year-end work and then will be jumping into quarterlies, but at some point, I know I will have time to review this and see what I can come up with. I have a feeling it would be the MFS link as you mention because that also uses a *.csv file. I will keep everyone apprised of my progress.

JKHarvey - I was talking about the Financial Interface a couple years ago with one of my Manulife reps re: the cost factor. I don't remember him telling me that it costs the vendor anything. We TPAs are all paying for the Allocated Link software/maintenence through Corbel. Perhaps Corbel does charge the vendor something as well but I do know, like you, that for some reason American Funds has not been included.

[Guest gfowler]

Any updates on the ability to download American Funds data into Relius using the allocated link. I am working on this right now, but have run across a few problems. If anyone has been able to get this to work, please share!! Thanks.