Franklin Templeton Investments Appoints Robert Richardson as North America Spokesperson Focused on Financial Advisor Practice Management and Business Development

SAN MATEO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/26/13 -- Franklin Templeton Investments today announced the appointment of Robert Richardson, CIMA®, a 30-year industry veteran, as senior vice president and North America spokesperson for the company's North America Advisory Services business including the U.S. and Canada. Richardson's focus is on proactive outreach to the financial advisor community on timely matters regarding investment strategies, practice management and services Franklin Templeton can deliver to support them.

"We are excited to have someone with Rob's dedication, experience and expertise to serve in this important role supporting financial advisors," said Dan O'Lear, head of Retail Distribution-North America, to whom Richardson will report in his new role. "Through speaking engagements, seminars and multi-media forums, Rob will play a major role in working with advisors by sharing insights and tools that they can employ in helping their clients stay focused on their long-term goals and the financial plans they've created."

Richardson's initial efforts will include advocating Franklin Templeton's Time to Take Stock™ initiative, which examines the human behaviors that impact investment decisions and provides straightforward strategies to help investors reposition their portfolios with an appropriate allocation to equities and fixed income.

Richardson began his career in the financial services industry in 1982 and joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 1995, most recently serving as a senior advisor consultant covering the greater Houston area. Reflecting his outstanding service to clients, Richardson is a six-time recipient of the annual Richard C. Stoker Award, which honors Franklin Templeton's top-performing senior advisor consultants.

"With his 30 years of financial services industry knowledge, Rob is an excellent resource to partner with financial advisors on a wide range of topics," said Bob Geppner, head of National Sales-U.S. "Having served as senior advisor consultant for many years, Rob brings a first-hand understanding of the resources and insight that will be most valuable to advisors."

Richardson is a FINRA-licensed registered representative, holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation, and is a Certified Fund Specialist. He received a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Florida.

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., is the principal underwriter of Franklin Templeton's U.S.-registered funds. Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN), is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Bissett, Fiduciary Trust, Darby, Balanced Equity Management and K2 investment teams. The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 65 years of investment experience and over $813 billion in assets under management as of February 28, 2013. For more information, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN® or visit franklintempleton.com.

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