CSRC consultation papers
The CSRC has publicized a series of consultation papers or circulations related to securities companies, mutual funds, private equities and annuities. Learn more.
Evolving challenges in PE fund valuation
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Evolving private equity operations for growth
The improving economy offers new growth opportunities for the PE industry, marking fundamental shifts in firms’ operating models. Learn how PE operations are adapting.
EU financial transaction tax
The European Commission has presented its draft Directive for Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) What is the impact of FTT on financial institutions in Asia-Pacific?
Are you maximizing returns from your European equities?
Recent Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) cases open up the opportunity for Asian funds to reclaim withholding tax suffered on portfolio investments in European stocks.
Financial Services Briefing - Issue 1, 2013
We highlight insights from our Asset Management, Banking & Capital Markets and Insurance network on the key themes of the market - operational effectiveness, growth, capital, risk and regulation.
China’s securities market under the QFII Scheme
With major changes made to the QFII regulations, learn how they affect the China’s securities market and how foreign investors can get prepared.
FATCA alert: impact on asset management
With final FATCA regulations now released, learn how they affect the industry and what firms need to focus on for the remainder of 2013.
Mutual fund management business engagement
The China Securities Regulatory Commission proposed to authorize institutions other than fund management companies to engage in mutual fund business. Learn more.

Financial Services

Asset management: achieving a competitive advantage

Today’s asset management industry is marked by increased competition, heightened regulatory scrutiny and growing customer demands for more information and greater transparency – all set against the backdrop of a volatile market.

As firms grapple with business issues such as product innovation, evolving fee structures and industry consolidation, they also find themselves needing to devote more time than ever to managing regulatory demands.

Through our Global Asset Management Center, we can help you navigate these challenges by bringing together ideas from 35,000 financial services professionals around the world. The result is seamless, high-quality service, wherever you’re located.

Key issues in today's asset management environment include:

Consolidation, yet polarization

Resulting pricing pressures and the need for investment suggest that the largest asset management firms will continue to enjoy scale advantage. Add the growing cost of regulatory compliance and the impact of further banking divestments, and consolidation is expected to continue, if not accelerate.

Some managers are diversifying by developing new products or extending product ranges, while others are offering existing products to new customers or seeking to enter new geographic markets, such as emerging-country economies. Others are evaluating long-term viability to determine whether to be acquirers, enter into joint ventures or possibly prepare to sell their firms.

Whether asset management firms decide to acquire new firms, consolidate product lines or launch new products in 2012 will depend on what happens to valuations, regulatory and tax uncertainties, as well as on how financial markets perform.

Our approach — grounded in industry-specific experience and committed to delivering measurable, sustainable results — can help you adapt and succeed.

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Investor transparency and communication

Post credit crisis, transparency has become the buzzword, namely in the alternative investment management industry. Additionally, investors are more focused on risk than ever before.

Asset management firms must respond to the increased transparency requirements of institutional investors, especially with information and proactive reporting around the mitigation of both investment and operational risks.

Requests for third-party reports have gained significant momentum in the industry as they have become an effective and efficient tool to communicate about a firm’s internal control structure and in turn address increased investor demands.

We can help you prepare accordingly.

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Governance and regulatory changes

Significant regulatory changes impacting the asset management industry are occurring, including FATCA, AIFMD and expanded registration for investment advisers with the SEC. Changes may include increased capital requirements, leverage limits, remuneration caps and/or new disclosures and reporting.

Structural changes to the global banking system, Solvency II and the regulation of derivatives may also have profound and unpredictable effects on the asset management industry.

In addition, Europe is increasingly focused on shadow banking activities and how best to regulate, while the SEC in the US has discussed further reforms to the money market fund industry in light of the financial crisis.

In response, asset management firms are evaluating current compliance functions, resources (both people and technology) and establishing formal compliance policies and procedures. Further, business models are evolving as there is more interest by alternative managers in regulated products (e.g., UCITS, mutual funds) and conversely, more interest by regulated managers in absolute return strategies.

We can help you prepare:

Expanding beyond domestic borders

International expansion has emerged as a major focus in the asset management industry with asset managers from all regions looking to increase their presence beyond domestic borders. The “East to West and West to East” phenomenon is expected to gain further momentum in 2012.

Many managers are cautious about the rapid shift of capital into emerging markets, and have concerns about the prospect of asset bubbles in these markets.

Rather than returning to business as usual after the global financial crisis, new patterns of international investment are emerging. Asset management firms will need to adjust their strategies to reflect the changing patterns of investment that are developing and position themselves competitively.

Are you prepared?

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Consultancy of the Year 2012
Asia Risk named Ernst & Young as Consultancy of the Year 2012 in recognition of our excellence in financial services advisory across Asia-Pacific.

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