Navigating Consolidation and Technological Integration in Financial Services

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial services, the industry is increasingly adopting the approach of acquisitions and advanced technological integration. These trends, driven by a multitude of factors, have profound implications for the industry by altering the strategies and resources required for success in the market. Factors to Consider During Consolidation in Financial Services MARKET […]

Enhancing Efficiency in Corporate Actions for OTC Derivatives

INTRODUCTION Every time a portfolio manager says, “What do you mean I can’t do that?” a new derivative type is born. I’m half kidding, there are undoubtedly robust regulations to attempt to limit irresponsible decisions from having an outsized impact on the market, but when red tape or cost gets in the way of something […]

Data Architecture Evolution: Imperative…or Extinction?

As regulatory pressures continue to increase, customer expectations evolve, and competition intensifies, financial institutions are under increasing pressure to innovate and transform their operations. At the heart of this transformation is data architecture – the foundation upon which financial institutions build their businesses. Industry Challenges and Opportunities Traditional financial data architectures, built around on-premises data […]

Mastering the Ripple Effect: Key Strategies to Navigate Financial Transformation Challenges

In the financial industry, the sales process can evoke excitement, apprehension, and optimism, often fueled by the promise of change and new innovative solutions. However, the path to lasting success is fraught with potential challenges that, if not addressed early, can create a significant ripple effect. It’s never too late to tackle these transformational challenges, but the earlier you address them, the smaller you can make your ripple. By focusing on three pivotal stages—the sales process, implementation, and post-go-live, you can mitigate risks, reduce the size of your ripple, and ensure a smooth transition into everyday business operations.

Unlocking GIPS® Compliance Benefits for Asset Owners

Introduction For asset owners, the investment performance function effectively serves the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Risk, both of whom have a vested interest in overseeing and optimizing the fund’s total performance and maintaining a cross-asset class view. The lack of access to complete and reliable data from asset class silos can hinder cross-firm evaluations […]

Balancing Art and Science: Returns & Benchmarking Processing for Asset Owners

In the first paper of our asset owner series, we explored the unique business drivers, valuation methodologies, and considerations for private market and external manager processing. Now, in our second installment, we shift our focus to returns and benchmarks.
Asset owners often invest across a diverse mix of private and public market asset classes. But should the same return methodology be applied to both the asset class and the total fund level? Are there acceptable deviations?
Sophisticated benchmarking capabilities are essential for accurately consolidating returns at the total fund level. The complexities of substitution and benchmark specific overrides present challenges driven by various underlying factors. What are these factors, and how can best practices help overcome these challenges? Read on to discover our perspectives and practical solutions

Unlocking Potential: The Secret Weapon of Single Relationship Managers

This paper, authored by Byron Derti, a senior analyst at Meradia, underscores the pivotal role of a single relationship manager in modern investment operations. Byron’s background in data analysis and project management equips him with knowledge in performance analytics and data-driven insights, which are crucial for driving client success. Highlighting a manager who adeptly navigates multiple workstreams, ensures seamless communication, and adapts to market changes, this analogy likens them to a conductor orchestrating a symphony of collaboration, ultimately enhancing client service and operational efficiency. Embracing this model with the right support can propel your firm to new heights of success.

Vendor Spotlight: FundGuard

A frequently asked question Meradia encounters is our opinion on various vendors. To assist our audience, we have launched a Vendor Spotlight Series, engaging in open dialogues with vendors to discuss industry trends, product positioning, and their collaborations with clients and partners.

In this first installment, Jeremy Welch, Manager for Meradia’s Trading and Investment Operations practice, interviews Diane McLoughlin, Program Management Director at FundGuard. With 35 years of experience, Diane has led onboarding teams for over 150 clients and has previously held leadership roles at Clearwater Analytics and Eagle Investment Systems, a BNY company. Jeremy and Diane discuss how FundGuard’s AI-driven investment accounting platform alongside Meradia’s expertise in investment operations and technology consulting. We cover the adoption of modern technology and data management, emphasizing the integration and implementation process, and highlighting how both companies are enhancing scalability, reducing costs, and improving customer experiences in the investment industry.

Building a Resilient Data Strategy: Learning from UniSuper’s Google Cloud Incident

DATA STRATEGY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER, BUT MANY OVERLOOK THE “LESS SEXY” COMPONENTS Across Fortune 1000 companies, nearly 88% identified investments in data and analytics as a top organizational priority in 2023, with over 82% of organizations saying they are increasing that investment (Statista, 2024). The message is simple. Enterprise data strategies are critical […]

Migrating from Internal Data Stores to Cloud-Based Data Vaults: An Exploration

Organizations are increasingly migrating from traditional, internal data storage systems to more dynamic, cloud-based data vaults. This transition is crucial for businesses looking to leverage the vast potential of big data in a modern, data-driven environment. With platforms like BNY Mellon’s Data Vault, State Street Alpha Data Platform, JP Morgan Fusion, and several others, enterprises […]

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