MINNEAPOLIS - (Jan. 9, 2006) - MINNEAPOLIS-based wealth management advisor Marquette Asset Management celebrated reaching $500 MILLION in assets under administration with a new trust affiliation with Meridian Bank, N.A., an investment in a state-of-the-art system designed to support growth, and a continued commitment to the Marquette legacy of service.

Under the new trust services agreement, Marquette Asset Management, through Marquette Trust, offers personal trust and other fiduciary services as a trust office of Phoenix-based Meridian Bank. The trust operation, together with Marquette Asset Management's investment management and client services, is headquartered in MINNEAPOLIS. Both companies are part of Marquette Financial Companies, a MINNEAPOLIS-based private financial services company owned by the Carl Pohlad family.

"The affiliation with Meridian Bank gives us a strong financial partner and enables Marquette Asset Management to pursue a new marketplace in the Southwest," said John Pohlad, managing director and chief executive officer. "We expect to have many cross referrals between the two organizations, which makes sense not only because we're part of the same organization, but because many of our clients reside in both places. We look forward to offering our services to Meridian clients, as well."

Marquette Asset Management's recent investment with SEI Private Trust Company, an industry-leading provider of investment processing operations, provides the firm with a state of the art systems platform that can support future growth.

"We're making the necessary investments to support current and planned growth without sacrificing the high level of personal service that we believe sets us apart," said Pohlad, part of a five-person team of managing directors who have overseen the growth of Marquette Asset Management since the firm was founded in February 2005.

In addition to Pohlad, John Beuerlein serves as chief investment officer, Kevin Brown as chief operating officer, John Fabie as head of client relationship management, and Bob Rubenstein as chief fiduciary officer and president of Marquette Trust operations.

Pohlad noted that the firm is currently seeking to add senior marketing and client relationship professionals to its staff as it eyes new opportunities, both locally and through its expansion to the Southwest.

A 50-year legacy of service

As part of Marquette Financial Companies, Marquette Asset Management continues the firm's 50-year legacy of expertise in helping clients create and sustain wealth. The organization's roots date back to the time when a young banker, Carl Pohlad, began financing businesses and working with clients through Marquette Bank.

Today, Marquette Asset Management provides customized investment management, wealth management and trust services to individuals, families and institutions with a focus of accounts greater than $2 MILLION.

And, while Marquette Asset Management is not a bank, it is an organization dedicated to the same level of customer service that Carl Pohlad has instilled in all of his operating companies.

"Many of our clients have banked with Carl Pohlad over the years, and many of our baby-boomer clients remember opening their first savings accounts in grade school with his F&M School Banking program," Rubenstein recalls. "We are proud of that continuity of service."

The Marquette Asset Management formula includes offering cutting-edge technology, combined with high touch, old-fashioned service. "This works well for us – and for our clients, who appreciate the attentive customer service we can provide," Rubenstein noted. "When you have several MILLION dollars of assets, and a busy life as well, you get tired of having to call an 800-number for service. By design, we are available for our clients."

Leading-edge investment research

The firm's investment management is headed by John Beuerlein, who also serves as chief economist for Marquette Financial Companies. Beuerlein favors a unique, but effective approach: he follows the Federal Reserve. He pays close attention to the monetary policies and the intent of the Federal Reserve Board.

Beuerlein has developed a proprietary liquidity algorithm he uses to evaluate economic cycles. "Our research shows that specific industries, taken as a group, experience strong relative performance and outperform the broad market during times of liquidity expansion," Beuerlein says. And, when conditions are not conducive for growth, Beuerlein reduces the exposure to these industries in the portfolio and takes a more defensive stance.

An opinion leader within the Marquette and Pohlad organizations, Beuerlein has recently begun attracting a broader following for his economic expertise. His periodic presentations attract a growing crowd comprised of Marquette Asset Management clients, local money managers and others involved with estate planning.

Looking ahead, the managing directors of Marquette Asset Management are bullish on their continued prospects, given the growth of assets under administration, the relationship with Meridian Bank and the new technology investments.

"We are part of an organization that's integrally connected to the life of the Twin Cities," Pohlad notes. "We are all about serving our clients exceptionally well, because in the end, our success is based on their success."

About Marquette Financial Companies
Marquette Asset Management www.marquetteam.com is part of Marquette Financial Companies, a privately held financial services company with a portfolio of operating companies focused on providing financial services to businesses and their owners. With assets totaling $2.6 billion and equity capital in excess of $400 MILLION, the organization has nearly 1,000 employees in 22 states. Marquette Financial Companies is part of the Pohlad family holdings, which also include significant interests in the beverage, technology, entertainment and real estate industries, as well as the ownership of the Minnesota Twins major league baseball team. For more information, visit www.marquette.com.

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