1.   But ask them when fund shareholders should sell their funds, and you get a blank stare.

2.   Also, Scudder is known for selling its funds directly to individual investors, while Zurich Kemper markets its mutual funds in the U.S. through financial intermediaries.

3.   Also, the financial interests of planners and investors can be aligned, whereas brokers may have incentives to sell specific funds.

4.   Among fund companies that sell their funds directly to investors, without a sales charge, fund flows have been strong.

5.   Although these groups will continue to sell no-load funds, mutual fund consultant Geoff Bobroff wonders about the long-term implications.

6.   And many no-load funds are being sold by so-called fee-only financial planners, who impose their own charges.

7.   And that is after slightly higher fees, which are split between the subadviser and the company marketing and selling the fund, are factored in.

8.   And selling the funds can cause unwelcome tax liabilities.

9.   And the gains made by directly sold funds threaten the dominant position of all firms selling their funds through brokers, including Putnam.

10.   Apparently, that depends on where the broker works, as some brokerage firms have had far greater success than others in selling in-house funds.