Among other issues, plaintiffs claimed this lack of prudence and monitoring
resulted in the stable value fund purchasing excessive wrap insurance that unnecessarily dampened return prospects and resulted in conflicts of interest.
Faced with a substantial decline
in the MIP's market
value, and with
resulting pressure from the wrap providers — which were exposed to liability
in the event of significant MIP
fund withdrawals — Fidelity responded by adopting an unduly conservative investment strategy that was contrary to the purposes of
stable value fund investing, agreeing to allow the wrap providers to charge excessive fees, and charging excessive fees for its own account.