Dalbar lauds service excellence

TORONTO (January 15, 2008) The financial services research firm Dalbar has named the best customer service providers for 2007, giving top marks to BMO Mutual Funds for mutual fund service for the second year in a row.

"The BMO team clearly demonstrates that service is a top priority for the firm, and it gives us great pleasure to once again recognize them with this distinction," said Michelle Slute, Dalbar's manager of client relations.

Franklin Templeton and AIC received the Key Honour Awards, with Dalbar recognizing the firms for "delivering excellent service to their English-speaking clients."

National Bank Securities Advisory Service and Franklin Templeton were both heralded for their French language service.

Dalbar bases the awards on evaluations made over the calendar year measuring a company's quality of performance in product knowledge, professionalism, and its ability to provide value-added service.

The 2007 awards mark the 14th year that Dalbar has tracked customer service excellence in the financial services sector.

RBC Direct Investing took home the 2007 Direct Brokerage Service Award.