-Online Sales Desk Named A Top 10 Web Site for Financial Intermediaries-

Parsippany, NJ, March 4, 2005 — MainStay Investments, a division of New York Life Investment Management LLC (NYLIM), today announced that its Online Sales Desk, mainstayfunds.com/pro, has been ranked among the top 10 web sites for financial intermediaries by kasina LLC, a New York-based consulting firm. 

This is the third consecutive year that the kasina study has recognized MainStay Investments’ Online Sales Desk for its wide range of advisor offerings.  It commended the site for its monthly audio commentaries and downloadable transcripts as well as its interactive charting feature, which allows advisors to respond to personal preferences and adjust for client-specific situations. 

kasina praised the site’s “What’s New” feature for its active approach to providing financial advisors with the latest information on changes to the fund family and its web site.  In addition, the “Opportunities Across Generations” section on MainStay Investments’ Online Sales Desk was cited for helping advisors identify investing styles, financial strategies, and sales opportunities for “GenXers” (ages 23-37), “Boomers” (ages 38-55), and “Matures” (ages 56-71).

“MainStay Investments is committed to providing financial advisors both on- and off-line tools to help them build their business,” said Beverly Moore, Managing Director, MainStay Investments.  “The Online Sales Desk is a superb resource for the financial community and we are pleased kasina continues to recognize its capabilities.”

Rankings were based on kasina’s review of 56 asset management firms’ web sites for intermediaries.  In its report, kasina evaluated intermediary sites based on five categories:  branding, content, online services, usability, and web technology. 

With more than $188 billion in assets under management as of January 31, 2005, New York Life Investment Management and its affiliates provide investment management and related services to a wide range of individual, corporate, public, and Taft-Hartley clients. New York Life Investment Management offers institutional asset management, retail investments, retirement plan services, guaranteed products, real estate investments, and alternative investments. For more information, visit the New York Life Investment Management site at www.nylim.com.

kasina is a management consulting firm that is focused on helping financial services companies create intelligent relationships with their investors and intermediaries.  By combining knowledge of distribution trends, technological innovations, and marketing strategies, kasina aids leading asset management firms with front-office efforts and publishes a regular schedule of cutting-edge industry research.  kasina’s client list includes 18 of the 20 largest asset managers in the United States and leading firms in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. An overview of services offered by kasina is available at www.kasina.com.

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