Global hedge fund and investor survey 2012
Our sixth annual survey of the industry looked for common ground between hedge fund managers and investors, and found it in some surprising places.
Are you taking advantage of the AIFM Directive?
Many asset managers remain unaware that they can leverage the AIFM Directive to streamline management company arrangements. Learn more about this potential source of savings.
2012 EMEIA asset management risk survey
Our fourth annual survey gathers the perspectives of dozens of industry leaders and offers 12 specific actions to improve risk management processes.
How are asset managers preparing for Solvency II?
Our latest survey reveals that engagement with insurers is deemed one of the biggest challenges to asset managers’ Solvency II Programs.
Eurozone forecast: winter 2012
The Eurozone enters 2013 with a brighter outlook, but obstacles to recovery remain significant.
2012 US asset management risk survey
The influence of risk managers appears to be increasing, but they face tremendous challenges. See our survey findings for further insights.
Asset managers: prepare for FATCA regulations now
From the proposed regulations and the intergovernmental agreement, asset managers must take steps now to prepare for this implementation without business interruption.
Seven challenges for asset management in Asia
The region is not immune from issues common in other parts of the world, including regulatory uncertainty, investor skepticism and revenue pressures.
Outsourcing in the asset management industry
As service providers broaden their capabilities and services, there is increasing willingness by asset managers to consider switching providers.

Asset Management

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.

Related content:

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.

Related content:

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?

Related content:

Contact us

Contact one of our asset management professionals.

Connect with us

Stay connected with us through social media, email alerts or webcasts. Or download our EY Insights app for mobile devices.

Stay current

Subscribe to the asset management quarterly newsletter to stay up-to-date on our latest thought leadership.

Global Hedge Fund Symposiums

Held in financial centers around the world, this symposium series examines the multi-faceted issues and challenges facing the hedge fund industry.

Stock markets in rapid-growth markets

Our report examines the rise of stock markets in emerging nations, and finds that, although investors face volatility, they offer better long-term returns.

Get the facts on FACTA

We offer knowledge and resources to help navigate the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.