ATLANTA -- Investment managers are using the RIMS (Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc.) Conference as a successful marketing tool.

Bermuda-based Invesco Global Asset Management (IGAM) general manager, E.T.

(Bob) Richards said, "The insurance industry represents clients for us. They had, at last count, $95 billion in assets and I suspect that might be an understatement. That represents a very large source of potential business for us. We are here to help make ourselves better known to this industry.

"Invesco has a booth here this year, although in the past I have attended the conference.'' Global funds manager, Invesco, with funds under management of $170 billion, has its world headquarters in Atlanta.

Mr. Richards said, "Even for the Bermuda executives, it is hard to get them in one place at one time out of their offices at home. Yet in just one hour here, I've been able to see and chat with a number of people who it might take me a week or so to meet in Hamilton.

"Invesco is the fifth largest independent investment management firm in the world. The Bermuda operations, IGAM, has funds under management that are fluctuating between $400 million and $500 million.'' Mr. Richards has also had an opportunity to network and discuss issues with Invesco executives in the Atlanta office.

The Bermuda Commercial Bank (BCB) booth at the RIMS exhibit hall is manned by a number of executives including Barbara Faiella of BCB-Merrill Lynch Asset Management.

Ms Faiella said, "We've had a number of enquiries. It's the second year at RIMS for BCB-MLAM. People recognise the Merrill Lynch logo and have stopped to discuss business with us.

"People seem very interested in money management offshore. It's been great being near the Bermuda booth, because people have left there and come around here to enquire about our services.

"We've dealt with a number of serious enquiries that could lead to business for Bermuda.

"We can't market here our offshore mutual funds that are available to non-US parties. They are Luxembourg and Cayman Island registered funds for which BCB-Merrill Lynch has just become the Bermuda distributor.

"They are available for investment by captives or other insurance companies in offshore domiciles. People who have found that separate account management has not provided the required critical mass, can use these funds.'' Bermuda International Business Association deputy president, Glenn Titterton has seen quite a bit of interest in Bermuda at RIMS.

As president of BF&M Ltd., he said the Bermuda insurer uses the conference to bring in clients for direct discussions.

But he said, "As far as RIMS is concerned, Bermuda's presence here is established and it works well. The presence of people like the Premier is quite sensational. You can hear other people at the conference talking about it.

"And the networking that goes on is quite beneficial.''