Fidelity Investments Expands In-Vehicle Investment Service Availability Through OnStar
BOSTON--May 17, 2001--Fidelity customers can now access account information and make transactions in a safer manner via OnStar's Virtual Advisor
Fidelity Investments(R) and OnStar announced that beginning today, Fidelity customers will be able to access their personal account balances and holdings, and trade from their vehicles in a safer, hands-free manner via OnStar Virtual Advisor.
This is the second phase of Fidelity's investing service through OnStar Virtual Advisor, a new service that OnStar is rolling out across the country, which allows customers to hear personalized Web-based information with no distracting screens or displays. In February, Fidelity began providing quotes, watch lists and market information to OnStar Virtual Advisor subscribers.
"We are pleased to expand our wireless services to provide mobile investors with unprecedented access to their financial portfolios," said Joseph G. Ferra, chief wireless officer, Fidelity eBusiness. "Now our customers can manage, monitor and trade their investments safely and securely through this hands-free, voice-activated service, whether they're on the road to a meeting or delayed in traffic."
Through OnStar Virtual Advisor, Fidelity customers can trade stocks, mutual funds and options for as little as $14.95(1), transfer funds, review orders, obtain their personal investment account balances and holdings, and review account history by connecting to Fidelity's speech recognition system. Fidelity also plans to enhance the service to allow many of its nearly 10 million defined contribution customers to request their retirement account balances and positions from their cars.
"Our research shows that almost half of our current subscribers want in-vehicle, voice-activated access to Web-based information," OnStar President Chet Huber said. "Through Virtual Advisor, we're able to provide that information in a safer manner, allowing customers to keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and an ear on the market."
By adding increased functionality to its in-vehicle financial services, Fidelity continues to expand its industry-leading portfolio of Fidelity Anywhere(SM) wireless solutions for individual and institutional retirement investors, which includes handheld computers, one-and two-way pagers, Web phones and e-mail.(2)
About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services with custodied assets of $1.5 trillion, including managed assets of $907.2 billion. Fidelity offers investment management, retirement, brokerage and shareholder services to 16 million individuals and institutions as well as through 5,500 financial intermediaries. The firm is the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the No. 1 provider of workplace retirement savings plans, one of the largest mutual fund supermarkets and a leading online brokerage firm. Fidelity Investments' Web site is at www.fidelity.com.
About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp., is the nation's leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and wireless technology. OnStar services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency services, roadside assistance with location, remote door unlock, remote diagnostics, route support, OnStar Concierge and convenience services. OnStar Personal Calling, being rolled out nationally, allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls through a nationwide network in cooperation with Verizon Wireless. Virtual Advisor, developed in conjunction with General Magic Inc., allows subscribers to access personalized Web-based information, in a hands-free voice-activated manner - there are no screens or displays. Additional information is available on the Web at www.onstar.com
System availability and response time may be subject to market conditions. OnStar is an independent company and is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments. Existing OnStar service contract required. Additional usage charges apply for Personal Calling. Available in select markets.
Fidelity Brokerage Services, Member NYSE/SIPC 100 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110
(1) 14.95 for online stock trades up to 1000 shares placed via the web or OnStar Virtual Advisor in qualifying accounts (minimum 12 trades per year or $100,000 in certain mutual fund assets across accounts). Additional fees may apply to limit and stop orders. See a commission schedule for complete details.
(2) Wireless coverage varies by service provider and geographic location.