One tool to rule them all: the case for consolidating enterprise software systems
How many enterprise software tools does your asset management firm use? Whether it's two or ten, we're willing to bet that, if your setup involves multiple systems made by different vendors, it's probably causing more problems than it solves. Maintaining several different enterprise software tools is resource-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. More to the point, even with integrations in place that enable them to talk to each other, storing your data in a patchwork of tools creates an environment where many common issues can develop: fragmentation, duplication, inaccuracies, lack of visibility, and lack of accountability. In this post, we'll make the case for sticking to one specialised, end-to-end [...]
What’s new to the European ESG Template (EET) Version 1.1.1
The European ESG Template (EET) was first released in April 2022 to help financial market participants to comply with European sustainable finance legislation such as SFDR, IDD or MiFiD. Since its conception, two further versions have been released by FinDatEx in October 2022 and January 2023 to adapt to changes in regulation. Any notable changes in these versions 1.1 and 1.1.1 are detailed in the article below, along with a brief summary of the EET and its importance for financial market actors. Background The European ESG Template is a project developed by FinDatEx to comply with ESMA and FCA regulations, such as the SFDR, MiFiD and IDD, [...]
Running a successful POC
How can you be sure your chosen software will meet your asset management firm's needs? Unless you've tested it, the reality is that you can't. All too often, a solution's drawbacks and limitations only become apparent during the latter stages of a digital transformation project. So while, on paper, a vendor might tick all the right boxes, there's still a risk things might not turn out as you'd hoped. Needless to say, once you've invested a significant chunk of your resources into integrating new technology into your workflow, it's difficult — and, sometimes, impossible — to course-correct, even if you realise the software isn't actually a [...]
Release – January 2023
In 2022 Fundipedia onboarded more new clients than in any previous year. Our teams created a range of new features in response to new and existing customer feedback that ensures Fundipedia continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing data management demands across our wider industry. If you would like to see one or more of these features in action please get in touch for a demo. A wide range of powerful enhancements are planned for 2023, including new additions to Fundi Launch Workflow that our clients use to drive down product lifecycle times and increase data accuracy. One login for different [...]
Another year of work from anywhere
In April of last year, over 2 years since the Coronavirus pandemic began, Deloitte - one of the world's largest accountancy and consulting firms - decided to significantly reduce its office space in the capital. Abandoning two buildings in London totaling 250,000 sq ft, and leaving just two remaining sites with 485,000 sq ft, they appear to be leading the way in promoting a hybrid working environment. And they are not alone. As of September 2022, 37 percent of workers in Great Britain advised that they had worked from home at some point in the previous seven days. Sectors such as information and communication, scientific and [...]
ESG update – New FCA Greenwashing Rules
On 25th Oct 2022, the FCA published its "Sustainability Disclosure Requirements ("SDR") and investments labels" Consultation Paper (CP 22/20). The aim of the paper is to outline the FCA's stance on greenwashing as concerns grow that investment funds are making ESG-related claims that have been misleading and/or unsubstantiated, failing to stand up to scrutiny. In this article, we will discuss why the FCA have felt the need to consult on this further, what the new rules are and who they will affect. Why The FCA Is Consulting A year ago the FCA made it clear that tackling greenwashing was a core regulatory priority, publishing a [...]
How to ensure digital transformation succeeds with our proven DATA framework
While the success or failure of a digital transformation project typically becomes apparent only at adoption stage, the warning signs appear much earlier in the process. The question is, how do you pick up on them before it's too late to course-correct? At Fundipedia, we use the DATA framework to objectively assess a firm's current state, identify potential weaknesses, and nip them in the bud before they can derail the project. In this post, we'll walk you through each of the four principles underpinning this framework, and explain how they can help you make sure you meet the objectives you've set out to achieve. What's the [...]
Fundipedia and Kore announce partnership to create end-to-end product lifecycle and data management solution for asset managers
28th November 2022 – Fundipedia and Kore Labs (Kore) today announce that they have entered a strategic partnership to integrate Fundipedia’s enterprise fund data management solution with Kore’s product governance and end-to-end digital lifecycle management platform. Connecting the two platforms enables investment managers to manage product design, creation, reviews, and changes efficiently and effectively. The combination eliminates silos of tasks and data to create a seamless flow of information between the teams involved. Firms are having to work harder than ever to differentiate themselves from their competitors due to a range of regulatory pressures, including Consumer Duty and upcoming reporting obligations such as PRIIPs. Against this [...]
Ready for takeoff: How to take the effort out of launching new funds
When you're launching a new fund, timing is critical. But despite the meticulous planning that goes into validating the idea, developing the right investment strategy, and obtaining all the necessary approvals, the launch process often ends up being drawn out, fragmented, and expensive. So why does it take so long for new funds to go from idea to investor-ready product? And, more importantly, what can fund managers do to shorten the launch process and get to market sooner? The single biggest cause for launch delays (is not what you think) It's easy to blame mounting regulation and, more recently, growing divergence between the UK and [...]
How is alternative asset management supervision changing in the UK?
If you're a UK-regulated alternative asset management firm, change is afoot. In an August 2022 letter — mercifully, this is addressed Dear CEO, not Dear John — the FCA has set out the supervisory approach it plans to take moving forward. And while it's not exactly radical, the devil is in the details. Here's a look at the letter's key themes, and what they mean for the alternative asset management industry. Who's in scope? The FCA kicks off the letter by reaffirming the proportionality principle — the idea that the level of oversight should be appropriate to a firm's size and the risk it presents. [...]
Why smart asset managers are partnering with specialist fintechs
To expand data capabilities — and 95% of asset managers think this will be critical to their survival moving forward — working with one of the large, incumbent data firms might seem like the logical way to go. For close to 40 years, the likes of Morningstar, Bloomberg, and Refinitiv have been asset managers' go-to technology partners. They have the depth of expertise — plus unparalleled resources — that all but guarantee any business transformation project, no matter how complex, will be a resounding success. Right? Not necessarily. It sounds counter-intuitive, but while these data firms undoubtedly have compelling advantages, the way they're set up and [...]
The FCA Consumer Duty – Improving how firms serve their customers
Just over a month ago, the FCA published their final guidance on the upcoming rules that comprise their new Consumer Duty. These rules are being put in place to set higher and more precise standards of consumer protection across the financial services world, requiring firms to put their customers’ needs first. This is another step forward on the FCA's journey to becoming a more data-led, effective regulator. While the requirements and timeline for its implementation have not deviated substantially from their original rule proposals at the start of the year, we will take a look at some of the most pertinent information and dates all asset [...]
Why asset managers need a robust data management strategy in 2022
Is your asset management firm's data management strategy on solid ground? With efficient, effective, and, most importantly, digital-first data management processes, your firm can be more flexible, more responsive to change, and better-placed to seize new opportunities. Conversely, if your firm’s data is siloed and still largely reliant on time-consuming, mistake-prone, manual processes, you risk — as Accenture bluntly put it — setting your firm up for failure. So what does a robust, modern data management strategy look like? And how do you get started putting one in place? Striving for growth in a difficult environment Ross Tremblay, a senior manager in Accenture's asset management [...]