Recent Market Volatility Drives Investors to Broaden Investment Allocation

Bellevue, Wash. (August 8, 2007) – The recent volatility in the stock market has forced many investors to take a hard look at where their investments are allocated. Several online and national publications have been dedicating column inches to encouraging investors to remember the importance of allocating investments into a good mix of opportunities.

Diversifying one’s accounts does not necessarily mean simply spreading investments over several stocks and mutual funds, however. Investing outside the stock market into such things as real estate and tax liens can be rewarding and can provide an added sense of security, especially when it comes to building retirement assets.

“It is important to remember that investment options for retirement funds are not restricted to those available in the securities market,” says David Nilssen, president and CEO of Guidant Financial Group, the nation’s leading retirement account facilitator. “With the wild ride the market has been giving us these past few months, investors would do well to consider adding some non-traditional investments such as real estate in their portfolio along with stocks and mutual funds.”

According to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which created private pension plans and the IRA as we know it today, retirement funds may be invested into anything that does not benefit the investor personally before retirement. The only exceptions are life insurance and collectibles. The use of a “self-directed IRA” allows account holders to personally direct their retirement funds into a broad range of investment options.

“Holding some real estate or a loan note can definitely help soften the blow when the market does what it’s doing now,” adds Nilssen. “We have many clients who utilize our services just for the added security of knowing they are investing in something tangible and not as volatile as the stock market.”

Barbara Heath of Elkton, Ore., moved her retirement accounts to a self-directed IRA to tap into a wider selection of growth opportunities and to have more control over her investments. “My funds are readily available and I am able to make decisions immediately,” she says. “I am controlling my investments and my returns.”

Like Barbara, tens-of-thousands of investors are starting to realize the many benefits and control that come from a self-directed IRA. This segment of the market is projected to double in the next five years.


About Guidant Financial Group

Guidant Financial Group is the premier provider of self-directed IRAs and business-funding solutions through IRAs and 401(k)s. Guidant's services allow investors the freedom to make investments in real estate, franchises, businesses, tax liens and more by accessing their retirement accounts without penalty before retirement age. For more information on Self-directed IRAs or Business Financing, please visit www.guidantfinancial.com.