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bullet NewslettersFeb '10: The fiduciary airbagCustodian overlays, and additional considerations
 

Custodian overlays, and addional considerations

Counterparty exposures

  • The largest counterparty exposure of most funds is their custodian.
  • Custodians are material service providers and therefore by definition are a significant counterparty exposure.  Consequently, APRA has very clear expectations regarding contractual documentation and due diligence of custodians
  • The services provided by custodians increase the level of counterparty exposure for funds well beyond that of other material service providers e.g. member administrators.  Cash management, foreign exchange and securities lending may all involve engaging with the custodian as principal, resulting in material additional counterparty exposure
  • By engaging an overlay service from your custodian, you are further increasing your counterparty risk which may not be appropriate in the context of your overall risk profile

Mandate monitoring independence

  • Custodians are often engaged to provide independent monitoring of investment mandates and exposures
  • The custodian will no longer be independent in this function, at least in relation to overlay activities
  • Funds will need to establish independent monitoring processes relating to these activities

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Example projects include:
  • Working with board and investment committees on investment beliefs, investment governance, investment models, investment policies, service provider appointments, competitive positioning, delegations and peer risks
  • Working with CEOs, CIOs and COOs on strategy, successor fund transfers, operating models, organisational design, as well as staff mentoring and training
  • Working with teams on investment and operational due diligence (internal and external), service provider management, project implementations, conflict identification and management, and team development
  • Reviews and advice relating to investment consultants, implemented consultants and custodians, along with related due diligence both domestically and internationally
  • Negotiation of arrangements with outsourced service providers including fees, service standards and agreements
  • Specialist work assisting investors reduce foreign exchange costs working closely with FX Transparency
 
 
Investment consulting reviews
 
Investment manager capability reviews

 

Click here for a case study...

 

 
Investment managers
(Australian & international shares, bonds, property) 
  • Target market
  • Product design
  • Pitch material
  • Mock reviews
  • Operational due diligence
  • Investment consulting market
  • After tax returns
  • Fees, including performance fees
 
 
Negotiation strategy & implementation
(fees, service standards, commercial terms, litigation)
  • Retail platform
  • Commercial multi-manager
  • Industry funds
  • Public sector funds
  • Corporate funds
  • Retail fund
  • Covering:
    • Custodians
    • Investment managers
    • Administrators
    • Investment consultants
Strategy off-site facilitation
  • Strategic review of investment positioning
  • Alignment of investment strategy and business (fund) strategy
  • Alignment of internal resources and expertise with areas of greatest impact
  • Alignment of external resources with investment strategy
  • Internal capability self assessment
  • Peer risk sensitivity analysis
 
Investment administration (custody) reviews
Operational due diligence reviews
  • Multi-managers
  • In-house investment managers
  • External investment managers
Industry superannuation fund

Strategic and operational advice to guide the establishment of common infrastructure to support multiple funds, tax structures & investment options:

  • Current operation, competitive landscape and regulatory environment
  • Strategic positioning
  • Investment governance
  • Member entitlements
  • Operating models
  • Custodian review and selection process
  • Asset consultant selection process
  • Unit pricing and taxation
  • Operational transition
Multi-manager and private equity fund

Strategic and operational advice:

  • Business model
  • Target market
  • Product design
  • Investment administration providers
  • Investment systems and infrastructure
  • Operational due diligence framework
  • Investment manager due diligence
  • After tax returns
  • Transition manager panel
Investment platform provider

Implementation efficiency review for an investment platform provider

  • Business model and governance
  • Investment menu
  • Investment manager relationship management
  • Operational implementation models
  • Fee and service re-negotiation
  • Product changes
  • Operational changes
Industry superannuation fund

Project managed the asset transition for a $200 million defined benefit to defined contribution conversion

  • Strategy determination
  • Detailed implementation planning
  • Implementation
  • Post implementation review
Specialist debt investment manager

Strategic and operational advice:

  • Business concept
  • Business model
  • Financial modelling
  • Equity raising
  • Product design
  • Fund raising
  • Target market
Multi-manager

Project manage a $1.5 billion asset transition for a multi-manager and retail investment platform

  • Appointment and termination of over 50 investment managers
  • Trading across multiple markets and asset classes
  • Implementation of new investment strategies
  • Launch of new investment trusts
New market entrant

Strategic advice for an international company considering acquisitions

  • Australian superannuation industry
  • Member administration
  • Key issues and trends
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