Brandes Announces New Equity Portfolios in Architect!

TORONTO, Oct 7 /CNW/ - Brandes Investment Partners & Co. (Brandes), is pleased to announce that the Brandes Global Equity portfolio, Brandes International Equity portfolio and the Brandes U.S. Equity portfolio are available as separately managed accounts on the BMO Nesbitt Burns Architect Platform.  The Architect Platform was the first unified management account (UMA) offered in Canada.  Architect has been a pioneer in providing high net worth Canadian investors with the flexibility and convenience to hold many types of investments in a single account.

"We are thrilled to have these Brandes separately managed portfolios added to the Architect Platform," says Oliver Murray, President and CEO of Brandes. "Architect allows for the creation of truly customized client portfolios.  Nesbitt advisors will find that Brandes' fundamental approach to investing is a great compliment to other investments and will help clients get their desired diversification."

"Canadian investors have demonstrated a home country bias," says Sarah Widmeyer, SVP & Managing Director, BMO Nesbitt Burns. "We have taken the proactive step of adding these portfolios to the Architect Platform.  At BMO Nesbitt Burns we believe that diversification across asset class, investment style and geographic region is important at all times. With the addition of the three Brandes portfolios, our clients will have more quality choices for including non-Canadian assets in their portfolios. These portfolios will help investors round out their overall asset mix ensuring they meet those diversification needs."

About Brandes Investment Partners & Co.
Brandes Investment Partners & Co. (BIPCo) is the manager of the prospectus qualified mutual funds referred to above as the Brandes Funds.  BIPCo is an affiliate of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. of San Diego, CA. Brandes is a leading global investment advisory firm, managing more than Cdn. $52 billion of assets for institutional and private clients worldwide. Brandes applies the approach to securities selection pioneered by Benjamin Graham, identifying investment opportunities within a long-term context and following a time-tested value discipline in all market conditions. The company's web site is: www.brandesinvestments.ca.

For further information:

Mrs. Leah Brock, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Brandes Investment Partners & Co., [phone]