The fund management industry manages and administers investment assets on behalf of their clients. In 2010 some US$62 trillion of assets were under management, generating fee revenues of over US$500bn illustrating how large and important this financial industry segment is.
In order to capture the revenue opportunity senior officers in fund management companies have to apply best practice and understand operational issues. This is not as easy as it sounds. They have numerous calls on their time and their core focus should always be investment performance. It was to address the resultant time optimisation dilemma that this guide was compiled.
This book gathers together accepted industry best practice, structure, operations and procedures. As a result, readers can spend less time rummaging through industry white papers and more time on the strategic direction of the firm.
The guide is up to date, which is something that immediately makes it more relevant than the multitude of papers and operational notes that senior management is confronted with. It aims to offer one stop shopping on how to run a firm.
ISBN | 9781906348182 |
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Navision code | MGFM |
Publication date | 6/8/10 |
Size | 155mm x 235mm |
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Dr. Daniel Broby
As a senior figure in the asset management industry,Daniel Brobyis a champion of capital markets. His focus on high level principals, integrity and best practice underlie his professional success.
Daniel built his career on the back of a strong grounding in finance theory. He has an MPhil in economics and an MSc in investment analysis. He was elected an individual member of the London Stock Exchange in 1990; is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment; a Fellow of CFA UK; and a Visiting Fellow at Durham University. He was presented with the CFA Institute’s Society Leader Award in 2006.
Daniel has had a number of C’ level positions at the largest asset managers in Scandinavia and Russia. These include chief executive officer, chief investment officer and chief portfolio manager. His career, however, has revolved around the London market. He was a board member of CFA UK, and it predecessor, for over 10 years.
Daniel’s focus has always been active asset management. His success in investment performance was recognised by Morningstar who rated the flagship fund he managed for eight years with five stars
Daniel has pioneered a number of investment solutions. He introduced the first regulated hedge fund and pioneered structured products in the Danish market. He has launched various investment funds, including a number focused on frontier markets such as Africa.
Daniel has written two highly recognised books on the profession and numerous articles for industry journals. He was commissioned by theFinancial Timesto writeThe Changing Face of European Fund Management.
Daniel has also contributed to the body of financial knowledge by writingA Guide to Equity Index Constructionfor Risk Books.Securities & Investment Reviewobserved that it “explores in intricate detail the various workings of modern portfolio theory, choosing a benchmark, measuring risk and sampling and selection procedures.“Professional Investormagazine opinioned that “rarely does a book genuinely represent a first in its field."
Preface
About the Author
Introduction
Definitions
1 The Business Model
Introduction
How the fund management industry evolved
The drivers of growth
The threats to growth
The profit dynamics
The cost dynamics
The productivity dynamics
Overcoming the downward pressure on fees
Taking advantage of the economies of scale
Delivering ?value added’ to clients
Implementing structured decision making
Developing strong distribution capabilities
Starting up a new fund management venture
Conclusion
2 The Industry
Introduction
Recent evolution
Growth markets
The Alpha industry
Active return
The Beta Industry
Systemic return
The Asset Class Spectrum
Examples of different house styles
Segregated funds
Comingled, Pooled or Collective funds
Industry codes and standards
Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct
Research Objectivity Standards
Trade Management Guidelines
3 The client spectrum
Introduction
Targeting the right segment
Overview of Institutional investors
Pension funds
Investment goals
Endowments and Foundations
Investment goals
Insurance companies
Investment goals
Private Investors
Investment goals
Safeguarding client assets
Conclusion
4 Legal and regulatory landscape
Introduction
Rules versus principles based compliance
Regulatory trade-offs
Self regulation versus government regulation
How to operate and maintain adequate compliance functions and procedures
Understanding the key regulatory concepts
Integrity
Skill, care and diligence
Fiduciary responsibility
Prudence
Market conduct
Money laundering
Chinese Walls
Fit and Proper
The geographic differences in regulation
US
UK
Europe
Far East
Offshore domiciles
Compliance, operations and procedure manuals
What should be included in an operations manual?
The importance of adequate capital
Conclusion
5 Investment process and philosophy
Introduction
Stating the investment Philosophy
Defining an investment process
The Investment Policy Checklist
Understanding the mathematical relationship between risk and return (CAPM)
Alternatives to CAPM
Active or passive management?
Accommodating style tilts and factors
Implementation of the investment process
Incorporation of models into the investment process
How to Index an investment fund
Conclusion
6 Skills and Structure in the front office(Portfolio construction and support)
Introduction
Setting a vision
Team or star manager approach
Avoiding groupthink
Incorporating the process driven value proposition into daily activities
Top-down
Bottom-up
Quantitative analysis
Qualitative analysis
What systems are required by the front office?
Front office systems providers
What Skills does a portfolio manager require?
Training
Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
How the chain of command works in practice
Personality type
Competence
Composition and role of the trading team
Conclusion
7 Skills and structure in the middle office(Risk and oversight)
Introduction
Integrating the structure of the middle office with the rest of the firm
Risk oversight policy implementation
Middle office Risk and Performance systems
Monitoring style drift
Staff, Skills and Shared Values
Responsibility for operational risk
Responsibility for business continuity risk
Preparing a Business Continuity Plan
Counterparty risk
Portfolio Risk Control
Backtesting and stress-testing portfolios
Using factor models and optimization software
Undertaking competitor and peer group analysis
Monitoring fund leverage
Conclusion
8 Skill and structure in the back office (Operations and support)
Introduction
Having robust systems and database
Handling derivative instruments
Handing day to day fund accounting
Ensuring efficient pre and post trade processing
Trade processing vendors
Implementing Straight-Through Processing (STP)
Establishing a records retention policy
Integrating the accounts function
Outsourcing
Fund administrators
Prime brokerage
Adapting to accommodate short selling and securities lending
Back-office personnel issues
Conclusion
9 Job functions
Introduction
How to write internal and external job descriptions
Criteria for ’good’ and ’bad’ remuneration policies
How to decide on compensation
Performance-related compensation
The Chief Executive Officer
Transitioning to a New Chief Executive
The Chief Operating Officer
The Chief Financial Officer
The Chief Investment Officer
The Head of Trading
The Head of Technology
The Compliance Officer
The Risk manager
The Marketing manager
The relationship manager
Head of Performance
Establishing and employee review process
Maintaining an employee handbook
How to build a team spirit
Conclusion
10 Client acquisition
Introduction
Business development as a means to win new clients
Basic Foundations of client relationships
Communicating the right message
The role of Investment Consultants
Answering Request for Proposals
Writing Fact Sheets
Equity fact sheets
Debt fact sheets
Lead management and the importance of monitoring client contact
Marketing analytics
How to undertake systematic brand management
Building reputation
Addressing poor performance from a communications perspective
Having a public relations strategy
Employing third party marketeers
Drafting investment mandates
Adding constraints to an investment mandate
The internets role in client acquisition.
How to ensure efficient ?Client on-boarding’
Conclusion
11 Client retention
Introduction
Communicating with clients
Communicating with Consultants
Using open architecture as a distribution channel
Understanding core-satellite asset allocation and its implications for client retention
The ?Know your client’ requirement
Handling tracking error and investment constraints
Understand and surpassing expectations
Obtaining feedback from existing clients
Fostering good press and media relations
Goals and Objectives when dealing with the media
Crisis management when things go wrong
Managing client functions
Preparing performance reviews and client visits
How to treat the competition
Buying a fund management company7
Due diligence: Organization and Good Standing
Due diligence: Financial Information
Due diligence: Physical Assets
Due diligence: Employees and Employee Benefits
Due diligence: Mandates and funds
Due diligence: Taxes
Due diligence: Material Contracts
Due diligence: Open Ended Funds and Closed Ended Funds
Due diligence: Customer Information
Due diligence: Litigation
Due diligence: Incidentals
Conclusion
12 Performance reporting and valuation
Introduction
Choosing appropriate benchmarks
Understanding attribution analysis
The Brinson Hood Beebower Model
Building a Reporting interface
Fair reporting
Accurate reporting
Timely reporting
Utilising factor models in reporting
Value at Risk as a tool to understand risk
The performance report format
The asset allocation report format
The transaction report format
Pricing and valuation
Global Investment Performance Standards
Soft Dollar Standards
Conclusion
13 Product design
Introduction
Building the Product
Composition and structure of the product team
Establishing a timeline for product intorduction
Determining fee levels for new products
When to use performance fees.
Choosing the legal structure for new products
Open ended
Closed ended
Master feeder funds
Multi-Class Funds
Taking taxation into consideration
Design considerations
When to incorporate leverage
Handling the liquidity of the underlying instruments
Taking capacity into account
Clearly stating fees
What to put in the ?Prospectus’
Recent product innovations
How to structure solutions for clients
Wrap funds
Offshore products
How to design Index Funds
How to address investment fund board independence
Conclusion
14 Alternatives
Introduction
Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)
Shari’ah Compliant Investment
The use of leverage
The use of derivatives
Structured products
Hedge funds
Counterparty credit risk exposure
Trading practices of hedge funds
Hedge fund fees
Commitment Period (lock-ups)
The use of side letters
Selecting a Maximum Fund Size
Imposing redemption terms (gates)
Types of hedge fund
Convertible Arbitrage funds
Distressed Securities funds
Fixed Income Arbitrage funds
Long/Short funds
Macro funds
Risk/Merger Arbitrage funds
Private Equity
The role of Limited Partnerships
Property
Closed-ended funds
Open-ended funds
Investment trusts
Conclusion
References
FAQs
When referring to the 5 10/40 rule in risk exposure for UCITS funds what does the 10 represent? ›
No single asset can represent more than 10% of the fund's assets; holdings of more than 5% cannot in aggregate exceed 40% of the fund's assets. This is known as the "5/10/40" rule. There are certain exceptions for government issued securities and for index tracking funds.
What is the meaning of fund management? ›What Is Funds Management? Funds management is the overseeing and handling of a financial institution's cash flow. The fund manager ensures that the maturity schedules of the deposits coincide with the demand for loans.
What qualifications do you need for asset management? ›There are no strict educational qualification requirements for asset managers. A graduate degree is necessary, but the specialisation would depend upon the type of assets that the manager is expected to handle.
What factors influence your decision of where to put your money? ›Aspects like family history, personal profile, financial obligations, and others also tend to affect your investment choices. These aforementioned factors do tend to influence the choices, but it's still in the hands of the investor to build a solid investment portfolio based on the need and profile of the investor.
What is the difference between a mutual fund and a UCITS fund? ›Structurally, UCITS are built like mutual funds, with many of the same features, regulatory requirements, and marketing models. Individual and institutional investors, who form a collective group of unit holders, put their money into a UCIT, which, in turn, owns investment securities (mostly stocks and bonds) and cash.
What is the difference between UCITS and Sicav? ›UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) are just one type of fund in Luxembourg. They are usually targeted at retail investors and most commonly take the form of a SICAV (Société d'Investissement à Capital Variable), i.e. an investment company with variable capital.
Why is fund management important? ›Fund management makes sure that the fund performance is being tracked which ensures that the investment strategies are adjusted to achieve the goals of investors and the fund as a whole. They use various techniques and metrics to carefully analyze fund performance.
What is the role of fund management? ›A fund manager is responsible for implementing a fund's investment strategy and managing its trading activities. They oversee mutual funds or pensions, manage analysts, conduct research, and make important investment decisions.
What is the benefit of fund management? ›investment portfolio: Fund managers help diversify your investments, aiming to reduce volatility of returns. This is achieved by pooling your investment with other investors in a managed fund. This allows the fund manager to invest in a wider range of securities than if you invested directly.
How do I prepare for an asset management interview? ›- Where do you see the market heading?
- Which investors do you admire?
- What do you think of the latest economic data?
- What is your experience in investing?
- How do you value a company?
How do you break into fund management? ›
- Step 1: Earn a Finance Degree. ...
- Step 2: Get Your Feet Wet at an Asset Management Firm. ...
- Step 3: Set Yourself Apart. ...
- Step 4: Pay Your Dues. ...
- Step 5: Demonstrate Your Skills.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Highly skilled in math and finance.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong time-management skills.
- Detail oriented and highly organized.
- Skilled in negotiation and project management.
- Excellent critical thinking skills.
- DEVELOP A PLAN. ...
- Achieving Flexibility: ...
- Liquidity: ...
- Tax Minimization: ...
- The first step.
- Things to consider.
- HDFC Small Cap Fund. ...
- Axis Midcap Fund. Consistency. ...
- UTI Mid Cap Fund. Consistency. ...
- Invesco India Mid Cap Fund. Consistency. ...
- Tata Midcap Growth Fund. Consistency. ...
- DSP Midcap Fund. Consistency. ...
- L&T Midcap Fund. Consistency. ...
- Mirae Asset Midcap Fund. Consistency.
A mutual fund is a pool of money managed by a professional Fund Manager. It is a trust that collects money from a number of investors who share a common investment objective and invests the same in equities, bonds, money market instruments and/or other securities.
What are the three basic structures of mutual funds? ›There are three primary structures of mutual funds: open-end funds, unit investment trusts, and closed-end funds.
Why are UCITS so popular? ›History of UCITS. Because they are seen as very safe and well-regulated, UCITS funds are very popular investments. According to the European Commission, they account for around 75% of all collective investments by small investors in Europe.
How many UCITS funds are there? ›UCITS are a very successful product: there are more than 29,000 UCITS funds in the EU which represent over €8 trillion of assets under management.
Who can invest in a SICAV? ›- An Institutional Investor.
- A Professional Investor.
- Any other investor who has confirmed in writing that they adhere to the status of a "well informed" investor and who: Either invests a minimum of EURO 125,000 in the specialised investment fund;
This class includes portfolio and fund management activities on a fee or contract basis, for individuals, businesses and others, such as:- management of mutual funds- management of other investment funds- management of pension funds.
What is the objective of funding? ›
The objective of the Funding Strategy is to enhance the availability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of financial resources to implement activities under the Treaty.
How do fund managers make money? ›They earn a management fee, for managing the investments in the hedge fund portfolio. And they earn a performance fee, which is a percentage of the profit the hedge fund earns. The better the fund performs, the more money the manager makes.
How many types of fund management are there? ›On the basis of investment types, fund management can be divided into the following 4 types: Mutual Fund: It is a type of open-ended fund that pools investments from multiple investors to purchase securities. Pension Fund: This type of fund is built to generate income for the investors after their retirement.
Who is the best fund manager? ›Fund Manager Names | Fund Name | AUM |
---|---|---|
R. Srinivasan | SBI Mutual Fund | ₹1,14,343 Cr |
Sankaran Naren | ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund | ₹1,23,053 Cr |
Jinesh Gopani | Equities - Axis Mutual Fund | ₹54,466 Cr |
Sohini Andani | SBI Mutual Fund | ₹36,724 Cr |
A portfolio manager will choose the assets to be included in the fund based on its stated investment strategy or mandate. Therefore, an index fund manager will try to replicate a benchmark index, while a value fund manager will try to identify under-valued stocks that have high price-to-book ratios and dividend yields.
How will funding changes help your business? ›Having enough funding allows your company to grab any opportunities that come your way, such as investing in new products and services that can help your business grow. Working capital can serve as a safety net when your business needs extra money.
What questions do they ask during interview? ›- Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief? ...
- How did you hear about this position? ...
- What type of work environment do you prefer? ...
- How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? ...
- Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
- What are some of the challenges currently faced by the asset management industry? ...
- Can you describe an experience when you had to negotiate favorable terms for a client? ...
- Please describe your financial background. ...
- What method do you use to eliminate errors in your work?
The skills you'll need to be a portfolio manager
Working as a portfolio manager at an asset management firm is a specialist role, but you can get into the industry with a generalist degree. Graduates don't necessarily need a degree in mathematics, economics or computer science to get a job as an asset manager.
Being a portfolio manager can be a challenging job. The hours are long, and handling investments for businesses or individuals is demanding. It's also hard work staying on top of the news and market fluctuations. To do this job well, you must have a lot of drive and desire to succeed.
What license does a fund manager need? ›
The only universal license requirement for a hedge fund manager is an ordinary business license. Because hedge fund managers are not regulated as brokers, they do not usually need the Series 7 license unless they engage in trading on behalf of customers.
What makes a great asset manager? ›To succeed in asset management, you need to be confident in your abilities. Evaluate the options, make a decision, take action - it's no good second-guessing yourself. You also need to project a confident persona so colleagues and clients trust what you have to say.
What are the five activities of an investment manager? ›An investment manager may handle all activities associated with the management of client portfolios, from day-to-day buying and selling of securities to portfolio monitoring, transaction settlement, performance measurement, and regulatory and client reporting.
Is asset management hard? ›Although it can be challenging, it is very possible and highly desirable for your organization to succeed at asset management. This article is organized into the following sections: Types of Assets.
What are the principles of investment? ›- Establish a financial plan Current Section,
- Start saving and investing today.
- Build a diversified portfolio.
- Minimize fees and taxes.
- Protect against significant losses.
- Rebalance your portfolio regularly.
- Ignore the noise.
- Emphasize dividend stocks. Dividend stocks are the obvious first place to start looking. ...
- Cut investment expenses. By default cutting investment expenses is a way of increasing your income. ...
- Minimize trading transactions. ...
- Consider non-traditional investments.
- Draw a personal financial roadmap. ...
- Evaluate your comfort zone in taking on risk. ...
- Consider an appropriate mix of investments. ...
- Be careful if investing heavily in shares of employer's stock or any individual stock. ...
- Create and maintain an emergency fund.
Three things all successful financial plans should have
The way I see it, there are three things that every successful financial plan possesses: measurable written goals, a distribution plan, and a wealth transfer blueprint.
- Financial goals. ...
- Net worth statement. ...
- Budget and cash flow planning. ...
- Debt management plan. ...
- Retirement plan. ...
- Emergency funds. ...
- Insurance coverage. ...
- Estate plan.
We're discussing the five categories that attribute to personal finance, which are income, spending, savings, investing, and protection. These are critical to shaping your personal financial planning. Income is money received, especially on a regular basis, for work or through investments.
What is the most important component of financial success? ›
Balance is key. Of course, many other factors will come into play in your financial plan (like return on investments or where you will live in retirement). However, these are the easiest ones to control and have the most impact. Figuring out the right balance is difficult.
What are the goals of financial management? ›- Maximize current value. The financial manager or managerial team works to maintain the highest value possible for the company's assets. ...
- Maintain growth. ...
- Maximize profit. ...
- Minimize cost. ...
- Avoid bankruptcy. ...
- Controlling. ...
- Reporting. ...
- Planning.
- Family Structure. Marital status and dependents, such as children, parents, or siblings, determine whether you are planning only for yourself or for others as well. ...
- Health. ...
- Career Choice.
The term asset management is often used to refer to the management of investment funds, while the more generic term fund management may refer to all forms of institutional investment, as well as investment management for private investors.
Who is the best fund manager? ›Fund Manager Names | Fund Name | AUM |
---|---|---|
R. Srinivasan | SBI Mutual Fund | ₹1,14,343 Cr |
Sankaran Naren | ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund | ₹1,23,053 Cr |
Jinesh Gopani | Equities - Axis Mutual Fund | ₹54,466 Cr |
Sohini Andani | SBI Mutual Fund | ₹36,724 Cr |
Financial Management also developed as corporate finance, business finance, financial economics, financial mathematics and financial engineering.
How can I become fund manager? ›In India, to become a Fund Manager: You must have an undergraduate degree such as B.Com, BBA, BBM or an equivalent degree in finances and investment. Courses such as B.Com in Financial Management, B.Com in Investment Management, etc would provide the necessary academic boost to jump-start a career in the field.
What are fund management activities? ›This class includes portfolio and fund management activities on a fee or contract basis, for individuals, businesses and others, such as:- management of mutual funds- management of other investment funds- management of pension funds.
How do fund managers make money? ›They earn a management fee, for managing the investments in the hedge fund portfolio. And they earn a performance fee, which is a percentage of the profit the hedge fund earns. The better the fund performs, the more money the manager makes.
What does a fund manager earn? ›A survey conducted by Russell Reynolds Associates revealed that fund managers at banks make an average of $140,000, while mutual fund managers at insurance companies make $175,000. Fund managers at brokerage firms make $222,000, and mutual fund companies' mutual fund managers make an average of $436,500.
Which fund is performing best? ›
...
Fund House. Fund Category. Fund Rank and Ratios. Fund Parameters. Investment Parameters. Filter.
Scheme Name | PGIM India ELSS Tax Saver Fund - Direct Plan - Growth |
---|---|
Plan | Direct Plan |
Category Name | ELSS |
Crisil Rank | 5 |
AuM (Cr) | 415.69 |
Fund Name | 3-year Return (%)* | 5-year Return (%)* |
---|---|---|
ICICI Prudential Credit Risk Fund Direct Plan-Growth | 8.11% | 8.02% |
Edelweiss Government Securities Fund Direct-Growth | 6.89% | 7.95% |
Edelweiss Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct-Growth | 7.21% | 7.86% |
SBI Magnum Medium Duration Fund Direct -Growth | 7.29% | 7.70% |
On average, roughly 35% of managers have outpaced the S&P 500 in any calendar year, based on annual results back to 2007.
What are the 4 basic areas of finance? ›There are four main areas of finance: banks, institutions, public accounting, and corporate. Courses within the finance major provide a solid background in many subjects including: Financial markets and intermediaries.
What are the 3 activities of financial management? ›- Financial Planning and Forecasting. As a part of financial management function, financial managers have to do financial planning. ...
- Cash Management. ...
- Estimating Capital Expenses. ...
- Determining Capital Structure. ...
- Procurement of Funds. ...
- Investment of Funds. ...
- Surplus Disposal.
What is money? Money is a commodity accepted by general consent as a medium of economic exchange. It is the medium in which prices and values are expressed. It circulates from person to person and country to country, facilitating trade, and it is the principal measure of wealth.
Is fund manager a good job? ›Becoming a hedge fund manager can be very lucrative but comes with long hours of top-notch critical thinking and good decision skills. A bachelor's degree is necessary for a candidate to become a hedge fund manager. Since these jobs are so competitive, additional certifications and experience may be necessary.
Why do you want to be a fund manager? ›"I enjoy the responsibility that comes with managing others' wealth. The opportunity to earn the trust of my clients and choose the best investment decisions for them based on their unique financial situation is one of my favorite aspects of the position.
How long does it take to become a fund manager? ›It usually takes 8-10 years of experience to become an investment fund manager. Investment fund managers with a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 16% and produce 104,700 job opportunities across the U.S.