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MINNEAPOLIS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The CFA Society of Minnesota announced today that it had launched its third annual Research Challenge for students from colleges and universities across the Upper Midwest. This educational initiative, which is in conjunction with the worldwide Research Challenge sponsored by the CFA Institute, promotes best practices in equity research for the next generation of analysts through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills. Students learned at a Thursday kick-off event hosted at Disciplined Growth Investors in Minneapolis that this yearas subject company is Polaris Industries, Inc. (NYSE: PII).

"We look forward to engaging the student teams in a lively discussion about our Companyas history and future goals and objectives."

Based in Medina, MN, Polaris designs, manufactures, and markets off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and the Polaris Ranger side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. The company markets its products, related replacement parts, garments, and accessories through dealers and distributors in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

aCFA Minnesotaas local research challenge has grown steadily since it was first launched by our society,a said Mark E. Peiler, CFA of BNC National Bank and co-chair of the Education Committee of the CFA Society of Minnesota. aNine student teams from institutions throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin will be competing in this yearas challenge. Each team is paired with a CFA charterholder who serves as an industry mentor to guide them through the research process. The Society greatly appreciates the generous time and support Polaris Industries and the many industry mentors, graders, and judges are providing to make this challenge a success for the student participants.a

Represented in this yearas challenge are Bethel University, Minnesota State University a" Moorhead, North Dakota State University, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota a" Duluth, University of North Dakota, Saint Cloud State University, University of Saint Thomas, and University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Designated mentors include experienced CFA Charterholders from Bell State Bank and Trust, Disciplined Growth Investors, J.P. Morgan, Jeffrey Slocum & Associates, Inc., MRF Consulting, LLC, Palisade Asset Management, Private Banking & Investment Group at Merrill Lynch, Thoreson Steffes, and Windsor Financial Group, LLC.

"Polaris is pleased to be a part of the CFA Society of Minnesotaas third annual research challenge,a said Richard Edwards, Director of Investor Relations at Polaris Industries Inc. aWe look forward to engaging the student teams in a lively discussion about our Companyas history and future goals and objectives.a

The student teams will soon attend a Subject Company Presentation meeting at Polaris, where they will hear presentations and meet with senior management as part of the research process. Each team will prepare and submit a written research report that will be graded by a team of local investment professionals, with the top-performing teams presenting to a panel of judges in February. This Challenge Day event will be hosted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The winning team will be determined by the highest aggregate score of the written report and oral presentation, and will advance to the regional competition and, if successful on the regional level, to the global finale in London, England the week of April 13, 2013.

About CFA Society of Minnesota
Founded in 1952, the CFA Society of Minnesota ([ www.cfamn.org ]) is the premier professional organization for Investment Professionals in the Twin Cities area and throughoutthe Midwest region. A member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Minnesota is the 18^th largest society of analysts among the 137 member societies and affiliates worldwide. With members in five states and a wide variety of industries,the society strives to serve its broad membership through relevant educational programming, membership support services, and opportunities for advancement such as networking events and discounts on educational materials.