Money Market Fund Pioneer Bruce Bent to Discuss Entrepreneurship at C.W. Post

Bruce Bent lectures in the Hillwood Commons Cinema

Bruce Bent, chairman and founder of The Reserve, a New York City-based money market fund with over $50 billion in assets, will lecture on successful entrepreneurship on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville. His talk, which is being hosted by students in Dr. James Freeley’s M.B.A. course, “Entrepreneurship Seminar,” will focus on the challenges an entrepreneur can face and provide a blueprint for those who want to strike out on their own.

In 1970, Bent created the world’s first money market mutual fund which pioneered an industry that now exceeds $2 trillion. “Bruce Bent started from nothing but he persevered for several years,” said Dr. Freeley, an expert on entrepreneurship in the College of Management at C.W. Post. “His innovative idea allowed the middle class to earn higher interest rates on their savings that were only available to the rich.”

Investment pioneer Bruce Bent (left) and James Freeley, C.W. Post associate professor of management

Bent and The Reserve have introduced many innovations to the financial services industry, including a report card for investors on shareholder service and investment return, combined statements to brokerage clients, and most recently, the Reserve Yield Plus Fund, the world’s first enhanced cash mutual fund for both retail and institutional investors that seeks a stable $1.00 net asset value.

Bent is active in political and charitable endeavors. He co-founded Change New York and the Club for Growth, both of which support government reform initiatives. In 2001, Bent ran for County Executive in Nassau County on a similar platform. He serves as trustee emeritus for St. John’s University after 20 years of active service as a member of the board of trustees’ Executive and Investment Committees and chair of the Facilities Committee. Featured in virtually every major financial publication in the world, Bent was inducted into the Hall of Fame of both Money and Financial Planning magazines. He is also featured in the Museum of American Financial History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, for his creation of the money market fund. Following service in the Marine Corps, Bent received a degree in economics from St. John’s University and completed his M.B.A. course work in corporate finance at New York University.

Bruce Bent and students from Dr. Jim Freeley's entrepreneurship class.

The event will be held in the Hillwood Commons Cinema from 5 – 8 p.m. After an hour long networking session starting at 5 p.m. Bent’s talk will begin at 6 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.

“Mr. Bent’s ability to overcome numerous obstacles and succeed makes him an inspiration for anyone who is looking to start a business or who owns their own business,” Dr. Freeley said.  The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is located at 720 Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville. For more information, contact Dr. Freeley at (718) 263-4143.

Posted: March 13, 2007