Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byJanis Wilkinson Modified over 9 years ago
1
Investment Management “Hot” Topics What would I expect to find in the way of Best Practices?
2
Best Practices for Investment Managers STEWARDS COMMITTEE MEMBERS TRUSTEES BOARDS MONITORING CHOOSING MANAGERS SELECTING BUYING SELLING MANAGING
3
EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PRUDENCE Harvard v. Amory (1830) Prudent Man Rule Common Law ERISA (1974) Prudent Expert Rule Federal Law Uniform Prudent Investor Act (1994) Private Trusts State Law Uniform Management of Institutional Funds Act (2002) Charitable Trusts State Law
4
Definition of Prudence The fundamental principle for professional money management, stated by Judge Samuel Putnum in 1830 "Those with responsibility to invest money for others should act with prudence, discretion, intelligence, and regard for the safety of capital as well as income."
5
INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE www.cfainstitute.org Trade Management Guidelines Soft Dollar Standards Research Objectivity Standards Global Investment Performance Standards Asset Manager Code of Conduct www.nccusl.org www.nccusl.org UPIA (1994) UMIFA (2002)
6
INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES www.sia.com www.sia.com Compensation Practices Firm Management Internal Firm Policies Relationships with Regulators Role of Compliance Professionals Investor Confirmations Registered Rep Supervision Investor Complaints Soft Dollars Sales Supervision
7
Best Practices for Investment Managers Key decision-makers demonstrate expertise in their field, and there is a clear succession plan in place. Qualitative Evaluation of Expertise Formal Succession Plan Compensation Practices Firm Management
8
Best Practices for Investment Managers There are clear lines of authority and accountability, and the mission, operations, and resources operate in a coherent manner. Strategic Plan Tactical Plan IT Plan Firm Management
9
Best Practices for Investment Managers There are effective and appropriate external management controls. Audits Examinations Compliance Program Board & Committee Oversight
10
Best Practices for Investment Managers Mutual Funds, Hedge Funds & Annuities associated with the organization have suitable board governance. Performance Suitability Expenses Standards for Selection & Retention Conflict & Self-Dealing Addressed
11
Best Practices for Investment Managers Remuneration of the Investment Manager/s and compensation of key decision-makers are aligned with client interests. Performance Based Long-term Focus Fully-disclosed Compensation Practices
12
Best Practices for Investment Managers The working atmosphere is conducive to attract, retain, and motivate key employees. Turnover Decision-making Process Creativity Opportunity Compensation Practices Formal Evaluation Process Internal Firm Policies
13
Best Practices for Investment Managers There is a formal structure which supports effective compliance. Corporate Culture/Attitude Compliance Program Compliance Officer Control Self-assessments Role of Compliance Professionals
14
Best Practices for Investment Managers The organization provides financial transparency that demonstrates there is capital and profitability to sustain operations and adequate disclosures are made. Financials Form ADV Fee Schedules Agreements Disclosure Documents Proxy Voting, Soft-dollar, Pricing & Best Execution
15
Best Practices for Investment Managers The organization is committed to firm- wide innovation and has established a competitive position of strength. Creativity Decision-making Best Practices Systems Personnel Development
16
Best Practices for Investment Managers There is an effective process for allocating and managing both internal and external resources and vendors. Soft-dollar Trade Allocations Research Objectivity
17
Best Practices for Investment Managers The organization has a diverse client base, and the capacity to service the same. Concentrations by: Fees Asset Class Security Client Product
18
Best Practices for Investment Managers The organization is properly managing the growth/decline of assets under management. Growth/Decline Rates: Fees Assets Accounts
19
Best Practices for Investment Managers The investment system is clearly defined and consistently adds value. Investment Story Process Policies, Procedures & Controls Exception Identification, Tracking & Resolution
20
Best Practices for Investment Managers The investment research process is defined, focused, and documented. Soft-dollar Budget Benefit Derived Off-list Securities Research Objectivity
21
Best Practices for Investment Managers The portfolio management process for each distinct strategy is clearly defined, focused, and documented. Benchmarks Asset Allocation Deviations from Policy Periodic Reviews Risk & Return Differentiation
22
Best Practices for Investment Managers The trade and execution process is defined, focused, and documented. Soft-dollars Best Execution Trade Allocation
23
Best Practices for Investment Managers The organization has responsible and ethical marketing and sales practices. AIMR/CFA Compliant (Best Practices) Performance Reporting (GIPS) oReturn oRisk oBenchmarks oTime-frame oClassification Trade Management Research Objectivity Proxy Voting
24
Best Practices for Investment Managers There is a defined process for the attribution and reporting of costs, performance, and risk. Performance Measurement Risk Return Benchmark Performance Attribution Classifications Cause & Effect Fees & Expenses Disclosed
25
Best Practices for Investment Managers The investment system and portfolio management processes are monitored and are consistent with assigned mandates. Performance Dispersion Off-list Securities Concentrations Exceptions to Min/Max Allocations
26
Best Practices for Investment Managers There is an effective risk-management process to evaluate both the organization’s business and investment risk. Control Self-assessments Risk Management Plan Role of Compliance Professionals
27
Best Practices for Investment Managers Control procedures are in place to periodically review policies for Best Execution, Soft Dollars, Pricing, and Proxy Voting.
28
Best Practices for Investment Managers There is an effective process for identifying, managing, and disclosing conflicts of interest. Broker/Dealer Investment Managers Mutual Funds Insider Trading Front-running Pricing Asset Manager Code of Conduct
29
Best Practices for Investment Managers There is a process to periodically review the organization’s effectiveness in meeting its fiduciary responsibilities. Annual Reviews Investment Policy Statements Investment Objectives Risk & Return Levels Vendor Selection & Usage
30
BEST PRACTICES FOR INVESTMENT MANAGERS 27 Practices
31
ANALYZE Practice No. 1.1 Investments are managed in accordance with applicable laws, trust documents, and written investment policy statements Practice No. 1.2 Fiduciaries are aware of their duties and responsibilities Practice No. 1.3 Fiduciaries and parties in interest are not involved in self-dealing Practice No. 1.4 Service agreements and contracts are in writing, and do not contain provisions that conflict with fiduciary standards of care Practice No. 1.5 There is documentation to show timing and distribution of cash flows, and the payment of liabilities Practice No. 1.6 Assets are within the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, and are protected from theft and embezzlement
32
DIVERSIFY Practice No. 2.1 A risk level has been identified Practice No. 2.2 An expected, modeled return to meet investment objectives has been identified Practice No. 2.3 An investment time horizon has been identified Practice No. 2.4 Selected asset classes are consistent with the identified risk, return, and time horizon Practice No. 2.5 The number of asset classes is consistent with portfolio size
33
FORMALIZE Practice No. 3.1 There is detail to implement a specific investment strategy Practice No. 3.2 The investment policy statement defines the duties and responsibilities of all parties involved Practice No. 3.3 The investment policy statement defines diversification and rebalancing guidelines Practice No. 3.4 The investment policy statement defines due diligence criteria for selecting investment options
34
FORMALIZE (continued) Practice No. 3.5 The investment policy statement defines monitoring criteria for investment options and service vendors Practice No. 3.6 Investment policy statement defines procedures for controlling and accounting for investment expenses Practice No. 3.7 Investment policy statement defines appropriately structured, socially responsible investment strategies
35
IMPLEMENT Practice No. 4.1 The investment strategy is implemented in compliance with the required level of prudence Practice No. 4.2 Fiduciary is following applicable “Safe Harbor” provisions (when elected) Practice No. 4.3 Investment vehicles are appropriate for the portfolio size Practice No. 4.4 A due diligence process is followed in selecting service providers, including the custodian
36
MONITOR Practice No. 5.1 Periodic performance reports compare the performance of money managers against appropriate index, peer group, and IPS objectives Practice No. 5.2 Periodic reviews are made of qualitative and/or organizational changes to money managers Practice No. 5.3 Control procedures are in place to periodically review a money manager’s policies for best execution, soft dollars, and proxy voting Practice No. 5.4 Fees for investment management are consistent with agreements and with the law Practice No. 5.5 “Finders fees,” 12b-1 fees, or other forms of compensation that have been paid for asset placement are appropriately applied, utilized, and documented
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.