SEC Announces $55 Million Fair Fund Distribution to Investors Injured in Banc One Investment Advisors Market Timing Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2007-165

Washington, D.C., August 13, 2007 - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the distribution of approximately $55.6 million in Fair Funds to more than 200,000 investors who were harmed by fraudulent market timing in certain Banc One mutual funds (One Group Funds). The Fair Fund resulted from a settled enforcement action in which Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation (BOIA) agreed to pay $10 million in disgorgement and $40 million in civil penalties to settle charges of unlawful market timing. The entire Fair Fund, plus accumulated interest, has been distributed to investors.

"Returning money to investors injured by the unlawful market timing in this and other matters marks the continuation of the SEC's efforts to remedy the harm suffered by investors," said Linda Chatman Thomsen, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 gave the SEC authority to increase the amount of money returned to harmed investors by allowing civil penalties to be included in Fair Fund distributions. Prior to SOX, only disgorgement could be returned to investors. To date, the SEC has distributed more than $2.5 billion in Fair Funds to injured investors.

On June 29, 2004, the SEC brought settled administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings against BOIA and Mark A. Beeson, former President and CEO of One Group Funds. Both consented to the settled order without admitting or denying the SEC's findings. The SEC found that BOIA improperly allowed market timing in One Group Funds between June 1999 and May 2003, failed to charge required redemption fees in One Group Funds' international funds, and improperly released confidential portfolio holdings. In addition to disgorgement and civil penalties, BOIA also consented to a cease-and-desist order and a censure, and agreed to undertake certain compliance and mutual fund governance reforms.

The Fair Fund Administrator responsible for distribution is Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS). Investor questions regarding the distribution may be directed to BFDS at (800) 261-0282. Information regarding the distribution can also be obtained at the BOIA Web site: http://www.settlementbanconeia.com.

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For further information, contact:

Robert J. Burson
Senior Associate Regional Director
SEC Chicago Regional Office
(312) 353-7428

Additional materials:

  Distribution Plan
  Order Approving the Distribution Plan and Appointing an Administrator
  June 29, 2004 Order Instituting Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2007/2007-165.htm