New: First Asset Global Financial Sector ETF Actively Managed by CI's Signature Global Asset Management

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TORONTO, April 25, 2016 /CNW/ - First Asset Investment Management Inc. ("First Asset") is pleased to announce that First Asset Global Financial Sector ETF (the "Fund") will commence trading today on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FSF.

Signature Global Asset Management, a division of CI Investments Inc., is the Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Signature Global Asset Management, led by its Chief Investment Officer, Eric Bushell, manages over $50 billion in core equity, balanced and income-oriented funds, and is CI Investments Inc.'s largest in-house portfolio management group. Signature's John Hadwen, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, is responsible for stock selection for the Fund.

The Fund's investment objective is to seek long‐term total returns consisting of long‐term capital appreciation and regular dividend income from an actively managed portfolio composed primarily of securities of issuers in the global financial services sector across developed and emerging markets.

"FSF represents an exciting opportunity to combine the strengths of the Signature Global Asset Management team and First Asset.  FSF is an actively managed ETF that delivers to investors the benefits of ETFs, including tax efficiency, liquidity, and low cost, while also offering them the expertise and  analytical strength provided by Signature's award winning asset management team¹."

 Barry Gordon, President & CEO,

First Asset Investment Management Inc.

"The global financial services sector is an attractive investment opportunity.  Regulatory requirements and impacts have hampered returns over the last number of years. However, with capital requirements seemingly addressed, we anticipate higher valuations and superior dividend growth in the banks compared to other global sectors. As well, consumer finance, brokerage and wealth management sectors are presenting appealing valuations, helping propel the sector forward."    

John Hadwen, Vice President, Portfolio Management and Portfolio Manager,

Signature Global Asset Management

Prior to today's conversion into an exchange-traded fund, the Fund was a closed-end fund called First Asset Hamilton Capital European Bank Fund. As previously announced by First Asset, the conversion was approved at a special meeting of unitholders held on March 15, 2016, as more particularly described in the management information circular dated February 16, 2016.

Signature Global Asset Management: Sector Specialists
John Hadwen, Vice President, Portfolio Management and Portfolio Manager with Signature Global Asset Management is managing the Fund's portfolio.  Mr. Hadwen specializes in the global financial services sector and is responsible for stock selection in the sector for Signature Funds, overseeing approximately $5 billion in assets under management. Mr. Hadwen holds an Honours BA and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

First Asset – Smart Solutions^TM
First Asset, a CI Financial Company, is a Canadian investment firm delivering a comprehensive suite of smart ETF solutions. Rooted in strong fundamentals, First Asset's smart solutions strive to deliver better risk-adjusted returns than the broad market, while helping investors achieve their personal financial goals.

1.

Eric Bushell was awarded Morningstar Fund Manager of the Decade, 2010, and Morningstar Equity Fund Manager of the Year, 2009.  CI Investments Inc. won Advisors' Choice Fund Company of the Year, 2005, and Analysts' Choice Fund Company of the Year, 2006, 2007, 2009.

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the Fund, including its business operations, strategy and performance. Although the Portfolio Manager believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among other things, general economic and market factors, including interest rates, business competition, changes in government regulations or in tax laws, and other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time.

Please read the prospectus before investing. Important information about the Fund is contained in its prospectus. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, prior to investing. Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs") are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in ETFs. The Fund is managed by First Asset Investment Management Inc., a subsidiary of First Asset Capital Corp. (FA Capital).  ^TMFirst Asset and its logo are trademarks of FA Capital., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CIX".  ®CI FINANCIAL is a registered trademark of CI Investments Inc., used under license.

SOURCE First Asset

please call Investor Relations, First Asset at 416-642-1289 or 1‐877‐642‐1289 or visit www.firstasset.com.