Ascensus

Experienced Sales Leader Will Expand Sale Partnerships with Financial Institutions

Ascensus—whose technology and expertise help millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare—announced the appointment of Brian Giles as Director of Sales of the firm’s Retirement Products & Solutions Group (RPS) effective March 14, 2022. Giles will succeed Maureen Revak, who will retire in summer of 2022.

Giles will work with banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms to deliver leading solutions in support of IRA and health savings account enrollment and reporting. In addition, Giles will focus on enhancing RPS’ document services, compliance, and consulting capabilities in support of qualified retirement plans for partners and plan sponsors. He will report directly to Steve Christenson, executive vice president of RPS at Ascensus.

Giles brings nearly 30 years of financial services experience in sales and business development that have established him as a go-to resource for bank, credit unions, brokerage companies, and trust services. Prior to joining Ascensus, he served as Head of Business Management and Sales Administration at HSBC, Marketing Director at J.P. Morgan Chase, and Regional Manager and District Manager at Washington Mutual Bank. Giles earned his Master of Science degree in Political Science at California State University.

Giles will succeed Maureen Revak, who will retire from this role in summer of 2022. She will continue with Ascensus in a consultative role.

“Maureen has set a high bar for achieving team and client success,” said Christenson. “After 3 decades of providing quality client support and mentorship to the sales team, she has positioned us well for continued success. We are grateful for her service, and as she enters this exciting new phase of life, we’re pleased we will be able to continue to draw upon her expertise in a consultative capacity.”

“We are excited to welcome Brian to our sales team and are confident that he will help strengthen our financial organization relationships across the country and that his deep experience will make the team even more effective,” Christenson said.

About Ascensus

Ascensus helps millions of people save for what matters—retirement, education, and healthcare. Through co-branded, private-labeled, and other governmental partnerships, our technology, market insights, and business knowledge enhance the growth and success of our partners, their clients, and savers. Ascensus is the largest independent recordkeeping services provider, third-party administrator, and government savings facilitator in the United States. For more information, visit ascensus.com.

Ascensus, whose technology and expertise help millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which Newport Group (Newport), the Walnut Creek, California-based retirement services provider, will merge with Ascensus. The newly combined organization will offer a broader set of capabilities and products to benefit institutional partners, clients, advisors, and savers.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Ascensus today announced the launch of Goldman Sachs Workplace Retirement Solution, which provides an integrated 401(k) or ERISA 403(b) retirement program aiming to support the needs of small and mid-sized businesses.

Hiring Initiative Supports Recent and Anticipated Growth

Ascensus—whose technology and expertise help millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare—expects to add nearly 400 new associates by the end of 2022, adding scale and expertise in support of expanding client, partner, and advisor business.

Plan Sponsors and Participants Benefit from Continued Investments in Technology and Digital Initiatives Designed to Save Time and Improve Outcomes

Barb Yearout, president of Chard Snyder, an Ascensus company, contributed content about how individuals can make the most of their HSA accounts for investment ​purposes​ to the Cincinnati Business Courier.​​

In a recent PLANSPONSO​R article, Rick Irace, chief operating officer (COO) for Ascensus' Retirement line of business, talked about the importance of clean participant data when it comes to maintaining a healthy retirement plan. He notes that educating participants about why it’s important to keep their own data u​​​​​p to date is crucial to keeping data clean. He also discusses systems that Ascensus​​​​ has in place to ​​ensure that data is submitted accurately and points out that having clean data also reduces the risk of cybersecurity threats.​

Small-Market Retirement Plan Offering Includes Institutional-Quality Employee Services Such as Financial Wellness and Managed Accounts

OneDigital and Ascensus recently announced the availability of a co-created small market solution for retirement plans that brings institutional-quality employee services to plan participants.

In a recent Wealth Mana​gement​ article, Anna Johnson, RPS director of operations, talks about the importance of timing for employers who need to start the Cycle 3 restatement for 401(k) plans process.

Fortifies Expertise in ACA Compliance, COBRA Administration, and Eligibility Verification Services Within Health & Benefits Line of Business

Ascensus—whose technology and expertise help millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare—has entered into an agreement to acquire UnifyHR, a third-party administrator that provides employee benefits administration and compliance solutions including Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) administration, and eligibility verification services. It will immediately become part of Ascensus' Health & Benefits line of business.