FocusShares LLC Information

FocusShares was founded in 2007 by industry veteran Erik Liik to provide new and unique ETFs to the rapidly growing ETF marketplace. Liik planned to leverage his experience at the American Stock Exchange, where the first ETFs were traded, and his experience launching the first cross- listing of U.S.-registered ETFs in Amsterdam and Singapore. FocusShares launched its first ETF products at the end of 2007 â€" a homebuilders fund; a Wal-Mart suppliers' fund; and an alcohol, tobacco and gaming fund known as the Sindex. Just as the funds' assets grew, the market downturn in late 2008 led to FocusShares closing the ETFs in October 2008. Liik and his team, Chief Operating Officer David Weissman, and Business Development Manager Michael Liik, began work on establishing a strategic partnership that would support the issuance of a broader suite of ETFs. FocusShares was acquired in 2010 by Scottrade Financial Services, Inc. This new partnership between Scottrade and FocusShares created an opportunity for Liik to bring new ETFs to the marketplace with the backing of the 30-year-old leading brokerage firm known for providing investors and advisors with the value and support they need to make better investing decisions.