Founded in 1996 by Adam Bold and headquartered in metropolitan Kansas City, The Mutual Fund Store® is a nationwide system of registered investment advisory firms which includes independently-owned and -operated franchise stores and company-owned stores. Through July 31, 2011, the system included more than 70 locations. Using proprietary asset allocation and mutual fund recommendations from The Mutual Fund Research Center®, The Mutual Fund Store investment advisors develop and implement personalized investment plans and provide ongoing account monitoring for investors with $50,000 of investment assets to $5 million or more. The Mutual Fund Store system collectively ranked No. 1 in total client relationships in 2008, 2009 and 2010 Wealth Manager surveys of financial advisers not registered as broker-dealers, banks or trusts. In a March 31, 2011 Investment News survey, The Mutual Fund Store system ranked No. 3 in discretionary client assets under management among fee-only U.S. registered investment advisers not doing business as a broker-dealer and not charging commissions