Senior Lead Engineer

Guardian announces strategic partnership with Avantos. Next-generation technology will help Guardian advisors deepen client relationships and support clients' financial well-being. NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America(R)(Guardian) has announced a strategic partnership with Avantos, an AI-native operating system built to modernize how financial institutions onboard and service clients. With Avantos' platform, Guardian's financial advisors will soon be able to leverage next-generation technology to deepen client relationships and better support their holistic financial well-being. As part of the first phase of the partnership, advisors will be able to: * Connect data, teams, and workflows in a single intelligent system, ensuring streamlined, compliant, and consistent onboarding experiences. * Reduce friction in management of clients, improving advisor productivity. * Deliver agility and scalability that help advisors service clients more effectively. Over time, Guardian's financial advisors will have access to additional Avantos-powered capabilities, with AI tools designed to help advisors support all facets of clients' investment and protection needs. In addition to using the platform for its advisors, Guardian is also a strategic insurance partner for Avantos and has made an investment in the company. Guardian's early-stage investment in Avantos underscores its confidence in the transformative potential of AI and its commitment to leveraging the technology to modernize its platforms and further enhance its wealth management capabilities. "Guardian's partnership with Avantos builds on our broader innovation portfolio to empower our advisors to serve as trusted partners in clients' financial lives," said Mike Perry, Head of Client Solutions and Wealth Management at Guardian. "Especially as clients look to navigate the impact and complexity of today's uncertain market, we're making sure our advisors have the tools they need to improve productivity so they can focus on helping clients realize their financial plans and goals." "Avantos was built as an AI-native operating system to modernize how institutions onboard and service clients. We're excited to partner with Guardian to help ensure their advisors can spend more time with clients - and less time in systems," said Rabih Ramadi, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Avantos. The partnership with Avantos builds on other recent enhancements to Guardian's wealth management capabilities, including the addition of Mike Perry to Guardian's leadership team as Head of Client Solutions and Wealth Management. In January 2026, Guardian also introduced the Guardian Wealth Advanced Markets team, whose members include attorneys, CPAs, CLUs, ChFCs, and tax professionals who have over 255 cumulative years of experience in advanced planning for individuals, businesses, and wealth transfer. With the launch of their inaugural The Year Ahead report, the Guardian Wealth Advanced Markets team provides real-time insights, counsel, commentary, and resources to financial advisors to help support every angle of clients' financial lives. About Guardian. Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need them most. With 165 years of stability and fiscal integrity, they are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, they stand behind millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. They help business owners care for their employees. And they help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, they believe in driving value beyond dividends. They invest in their colleagues, are building an inclusive and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is based in new york city, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received accolades for its culture and service. Their colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and experience, and their commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which included a 2026 dividend allocation of $1.7 billion - the largest in the company's history. For more information, visit guardianlife.com or follow them on facebook, linkedin, and youtube. About Avantos.

Guardian Life Insurance Company has announced a strategic partnership with Avantos, an AI-native operating system for financial services, and made an investment in the company. The partnership values Avantos at $1.45 billion, though specific investment terms were not disclosed. The collaboration will provide Guardian's financial advisors with AI-powered tools to streamline client onboarding, reduce administrative friction and improve productivity. Initially, advisors will access capabilities for connecting data and workflows in a single system. Additional AI tools supporting investment and protection needs will roll out over time. Guardian will also serve as a strategic insurance partner for Avantos. The deal follows recent enhancements to Guardian's wealth management operations, including appointing Mike Perry as Head of Client Solutions and Wealth Management and launching the Guardian Wealth Advanced Markets team in January 2026.