SWITZERLAND - The asset management division of Julius Baer saw its total assets under management (AuM) increase 22% over 2006, rising to CHF223bn (€137bn).

US - The Department of Labor (DoL) has sued X-Ray Equipment and its owner Colen Carter over the alleged misuse of over $1.5m in retirement plan assets.

UK - Credit Suisse has appointed bfinance's Terry O'Malley as its director and head of UK institutional distribution for asset management.

First round voting for the Pensions Personality of the Year closes today - and the response has already been overwhelming.

A pension scheme has bought its struggling sponsor in a bid to safeguard the future of the fund.

SWEDEN - The second AP fund achieved an impressive 13% (€2.7bn) return in 2006, but still fell far short of its 18.7% return the year before.

NETHERLANDS - ABN AMRO posted a 9.7% increase in assets under management to €193bn in 2006.

LOTHIAN Pension Fund pensions administration manager Clare Scott has been appointed as the fund's new investment officer.

ITALY - The underdeveloped pension fund industry in Italy is impeding growth of the financial system and preventing the restructure of a productive economy, said Bank of Italy governor Mario Draghi.

CREDIT Suisse Asset Management's diversified growth fund has attracted £100m of pension fund money during its first six months.