NewRiver Inc. has introduced FundPoint Desktop for 529 Plans, a desktop software product designed to manage multi-layered 529 college-savings plan information.

The program offers a centralized approach to accessing 56 different data points for education plans. Financial advisors can perform plan-to-plan comparisons, conduct share class suitability analysis, communicate breakpoints to clients, provide disclosures, and calculate all tax advantages, fees and commissions.

Favorable tax legislation and rising college costs have spurred a revival of 529 college-savings plans largely because of their tax-free treatment, easy investing, lack of eligibility restrictions and total donor control. Consequently, competition has intensified as 529 plan providers scramble to add new product features, lower their fees, and upgrade investor benefits. The regulatory environment has also changed as the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board has adopted rules and regulations for 529 plans that are comparable to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority practices pertaining to sales of mutual funds.

For more information, visit www.newriver.com.