Epoch Announces Strategic Relationship with New York Life Investments

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Epoch Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: EPHC) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. ("Epoch" or the "Company"), a leading investment manager and investment adviser, has entered into a strategic relationship with New York Life Investments*, whereby the MainStay Group of Funds will adopt Epoch’s current family of mutual funds (“the Epoch Funds”), subject to the Epoch Funds’ shareholder approval.

The proposed transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Epoch Funds. Epoch will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the funds through a sub-advisory relationship, while MainStay Investments (“MainStay”), the retail distribution arm of New York Life Investments, will be responsible for the distribution and administration of the funds. Upon approval by the shareholders of each of the Epoch Funds, each fund will be co-branded as a “MainStay Epoch” fund. The four existing Epoch Funds currently have approximately $750 million in assets under management. In addition, MainStay will become the primary distributor for Epoch’s separately managed account (SMA) business. “We are delighted with this partnership and excited about the opportunities it presents,” said William W. Priest, Chief Executive Officer of Epoch. “New York Life Investments is a well-respected firm that will further extend the distribution of our investment capabilities to a broader investment audience, specifically the retail and retirement markets. The scale that New York Life Investments provides will help ensure that our fund shareholders will continue to be well served.” Upon adoption, the Epoch Funds, which are currently available on many mutual fund platforms, will be available through these same platforms under the new brand.