GERMANY - Dexia Asset Management has opened an office in Germany, describing it as "one of the most attractive markets in Europe".

AON CONSULTING has launched a financial risk consulting service for UK pension funds.

Citigroup backs Paternoster funds; BA says benefits reduction is key to tackling pension deficit; Purnell backs low NPSS charge; BGI share option scheme slammed

NETHERLANDS - PME has gone from worst performer among the Dutch pension fund giants in Q2 to beating both PGGM and ABP to top spot in the third quarter.

ASHMORE Group has been valued at £1.2bn ahead of its official listing on the London Stock Exchange on October 17.

CHINA - The RMB 211.79bn (US$26.7bn) National Council for Social Security Fund (NCSSF) has selected Citigroup and Northern Trust to provide custody services for its overseas investments.

A LOOPHOLE in A-Day regulations enables scheme members to claim their 25pc tax-free cash lump sum twice under the same pension, Aegon Scottish Equitable says.

Here it is - a full list of the winners of the Pension Scheme of the Year Awards 2006.

SMALL caps no longer represent the "smoke stack" end of economy but offer schemes the opportunity to invest in tomorrow's biggest firms, Standard Life Investments says.

Smaller self-invested personal pension providers will be swallowed up by market leaders when the sector is regulated, Hargreaves Lansdown claims.