For Immediate Release

August 26, 2004

Contact:                      Susan Miller 
                                    317-816-9760 
                                    smiller@hickmanassocates.com

Networks Financial Institute Names Scott Hawkins Senior Research Fellow

Networks Financial Institute (NFI) has named Scott Hawkins as a research fellow.    Hawkins will apply his broad, international background in strategic consulting and research to NFI’s research initiatives in education, regulatory reform and other critical issues facing the financial services industry.  NFI’s research focuses on bridging the knowledge gap that has deepened in recent years due to sweeping changes in the financial services industry.  The organization conducts objective, applied research focused on regulatory reform, financial literacy and leadership.

Prior to joining NFI, Hawkins served as senior research fellow for a research team reporting to Swedish-based Skandia Insurance.  Hawkins researched long-term issues impacting Skandia’s sustainability and future growth opportunities.  He also directed applied research projects combining academic and business partnerships funded by the European Commission.  Hawkins has spoken and written extensively about the issues of intellectual capital, stakeholder management and developing trends affecting intangible asset management and reporting.

“Scott’s research leadership in the financial services industry provides us with a wealth of knowledge and insight into the complex national and international financial services environment.  His work will lay critical foundation to the evolution of NFI’s research mission,” said Liz Georgakopoulos, NFI’s executive director.  
Hawkins says that NFI’s “triple mission” of focusing on education, outreach and research attracted him to the organization.  “While there are many university-based centers as well as government and industry groups related to specific areas of financial research, it’s particularly exciting and encouraging to see NFI’s focus on embracing the entire mission,” he said. 

Networks Financial Institute was founded in 2003 with a grant from the Lilly Endowment.  The non-profit organization serves as an outreach program of Indiana State University and focuses efforts on improving financial literacy, advancing important financial issues impacting Indiana and funding research.  Networks Financial Institute is headquartered in Indianapolis with bureaus on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind., Washington, D.C., and a yet-to-be-determined international location in one of Europe’s financial markets.  For more information about Networks Financial Institute, visit www.networksfinancialinstitute.org