Knowledge First Financial Successfully Transitions to Northern Trust for Asset Servicing

Business Wire

Building the Foundation for a Successful Long-term Relationship

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Knowledge First Financial, Canada’s largest RESP company with more than 500,000 customers and assets under management of more than $6 billion, has successfully completed its transition to Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) for asset servicing.

Northern Trust provides Knowledge First Financial with global custody, performance, risk and analytics and compliance monitoring services.

“We selected Northern Trust for its commitment to client service as well as technology innovation, and the transition led by Northern Trust exceeded the high expectations established at the outset,” said Steve Rotz, Chief Financial Officer of Knowledge First Financial. “Significant prior experience and clearly articulated responsibilities allowed Northern Trust and Knowledge First Financial to ensure engagement across both organizations to work closely as partners throughout the transition. It was worth the effort.”

A robust project plan using Northern Trust’s Onboarding Dashboard, accompanied by open dialogue and regular status updates, helped to ensure a smooth and timely transition that was attentive to Knowledge First Financial’s requirements. Northern Trust continues to work closely with Knowledge First Financial’s internal and external auditors as part of Knowledge First Financial’s year-end audit.

“Northern Trust is excited to have brought Knowledge First Financial on as a new client,” said Arti Sharma, CEO & President Northern Trust Canada. “The completion of the onboarding process is just the first phase of what we hope to be a very long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

About Knowledge First Financial

For more than 50 years, Knowledge First Foundation has helped Canadians fund the cost of attending post-secondary education. Knowledge First Financial is a wholly owned subsidiary of Knowledge First Foundation and is the administrator, distributor and Investment Fund Manager of education savings plans sponsored by both Knowledge First Foundation and Heritage Educational Foundation. The foundations sponsor and promote the Family Group Education Savings Plan, the Family Single Student Education Savings Plan, the Flex First Plan and Heritage Plans. Knowledge First Financial is a registered name of Knowledge First Financial Inc.

The Foundation’s independent Board of Directors - comprising individuals who have distinguished themselves in business, law and many other fields - meets regularly to oversee the administration of the plans. Knowledge First is based in Mississauga Ontario and more information can be found at https://knowledgefirstfinancial.ca.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has a global presence with offices in 20 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and across 23 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2018, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$10.1 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.1 trillion. For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Visit northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at http://www.northerntrust.com/disclosures.

Northern Trust Canada Office: 145 King Street West, Suite 1910, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J8.