Franklin Templeton Investments Hires Yaqub Ahmed to Head Defined Contribution and Variable Annuity Investment-Only Sales

San Mateo, CA, August 4, 2009 – Franklin Templeton Investments today announced that Yaqub Ahmed will join the firm as Investment-Only Division Head, responsible for defined contribution (DC) and variable annuity (VA) investment-only (IO) sales platforms.  Based inSt. Petersburg,Florida, Ahmed will report to Robert Geppner, senior vice president and national sales manager for U.S. Advisory Services.  He will lead a dedicated team of wholesalers focusing on the IO business.

“Franklin Templeton is committed to strengthening its presence in the DC and VA investment-only businesses,” said Geppner.  “Yaqub Ahmed brings a tremendous amount of experience to his new role and will leverage Franklin Templeton’s strength in these growing markets.”

Franklin Templeton manages approximately $45 billion in DC and VA assets, having built its presence in the business over two decades.

Ahmed has over 15 years of experience in financial services, with a focus on retirement sales.  He most recently served as managing director and national sales manager for Columbia Management’s investment-only division.  Prior to that, he was managing director and national sales manager for Trustar Retirement Services, Inc. and has held positions at MFS Retirement Services, Inc. and Pruco Securities, Inc. 

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN], is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments.  Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby and Bissett investment teams.  The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 60 years of investment experience and over $451 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2009.  For more information, please call (800) DIAL BEN^® or visit franklintempleton.com.