Blog
The adoption of fintech by third-party administrators – creating service enhancements or cutting their costs?
Covering over 80% of the market (based on total assets under administration), our study of leading custodian banks explores where, how and why major global firms are developing and deploying fintech across their business and operating models.
SMCR – asset and wealth managers, your time starts now
SMCR is already BAU for banks. Now it's coming to FCA solo regulated firms from 9 December 2019. Are you ready?
In an era of polarised opinion, what role should corporates play?
Traditionally, companies stayed safely in the middle ground, keen not to alienate a certain demographic and potential revenue stream. Now it seems they cannot refrain from voicing an opinion.
Investor services – is custody still king?
The leading investor services banks (State Street, BNY Mellon, JP Morgan, Citibank and so on) seem to be bifurcating into two distinct types: the Trust Banks (BNY Mellon, Northern Trust and State Street) and the universal banks (JP Morgan, Citibank, HSBC, BNP Paribas). At the same time we are seeing several banks re-shape their offerings and/or exit from certain services. Why is this? It probably all boils down to two connected factors – profitability and capital requirements.
The social media challenge for wealth managers
Social media has now grown to be a fundamental part of the fabric of our lives: the way we communicate, consume, engage in politics, the environment and work are just a few of the ways we are impacted. Yet UK wealth managers in general are slow to engage in any meaningful way.
Commercial Property: Is there another way?
The question of fair value pricing and fund suspension was particularly topical in the aftermath of the EU Referendum in the context of commercial property funds. Many had Fair Value Pricing (FVP) in place and some big funds suspended trading. Suspension of course, is a general power open to the Operator of any mutual fund regardless of the asset class.