Author: Laurie Hesketh

Meradia’s 2024 Industry Outlook

As we conclude the first quarter of 2024, the financial services industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, driven by transformative technologies with potential to reshape investment operations. At Meradia, we anticipate a dynamic year will continue to unfold, characterized by innovation, regulatory shifts, and strategic opportunities. Reflecting on discussions with my team and clients, it became apparent that several key topics were consistently top of mind. Here is a summary of the trends driving change across the investment management industry today.

by Laurie Hesketh, CIPM, PMP
Richard Mailhos

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Natural Allies: Investment Performance and the Data Office

This paper proposes that Investment Performance was (and in many cases, is) the original Data Office where governance issues come to a head. If this logic is true, starting a Data Governance effort with Investment Performance takes advantage of a natural ally already positioned to solve those very problems. This natural alliance may be the most efficient mechanism to understand the strengths and weaknesses of an enterprise’s existing data strategy and potentially advance efforts to resolve them rapidly. Starting with that premise, this paper looks at how a new or revamped data governance program would benefit from either starting at the end of the investment value chain – Investment Performance – or by aligning the Data Office and Investment Performance under the Chief Data Officer (CDO). As many Meradia projects intersect Data and Investment Performance, this paper highlights the synergies and overlap between these functions.

by Laurie Hesketh, CIPM, PMP
Andrew Jacob, CFA

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Investment Performance Is a Data Management Challenge

Investment Performance transformation projects are notoriously difficult. Why? Investment Performance is, at its core, an enterprise data function in disguise. Its role in enterprise data management is so prevalent that the maturity with which a firm’s Investment Performance function manages this data functions is typically a bellwether for the operational efficiency of the firm generally. Performance and analytics, done well, consume an astounding array of internal, external sources and often a combination of the two. In addition, you’ll be hard pressed to find any department in the firm that doesn’t want to consume its outputs and scrutinize its conclusions. Investment Performance transformations are difficult because they necessarily require evolution for the firm’s enterprise data assets and can impact nearly every department.

by Laurie Hesketh, CIPM, PMP

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2022 Industry Outlook: Investment Performance

Investment performance teams are under pressure to adapt to economic and market volatility amid rapid industry consolidation, operational outsourcing and technological disruption. When working with institutional asset managers, asset owners, wealth managers, insurers, and asset servicing vendors, Meradia has observed the impact of these trends firsthand. Here, we examine the forces at play and how the industry may evolve in 2022 and beyond.

by the Meradia Investment Performance Practice

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The Investment Performance Technology Landscape, 2020

What are the key differences between investment performance measurement systems in the market? How are these tools evolving to better meet industry needs? These are important questions for firms considering significant investment in a new or upgraded toolset. Meradia has first-hand knowledge of many of the top systems in the market accrued from direct implementation efforts and have combined this knowledge with product strategy to provide insights on where the industry is progressing and to highlight disrupting themes. This is useful for investment performance professionals as a precursor to an RFP and/or an aid to firms considering a system change.

by Laurie J. Hesketh, CIPM, PMP, Managing Director

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Hedge Fund and Private Equity: Investment Performance Challenges

Alternative Investments create opportunities for investors, and they present unique operational challenges for investment managers. This paper discusses operational challenges associated with investment performance calculations, specifically as they pertain to hedge funds and private equity included in a multi-asset portfolio. Challenges discussed include late pricing, layered fees, exposure reporting, preliminary and final pricing as well as negative valuations. The pros and costs of several valuation methods are also addressed.

by Laurie J. Hesketh, CIPM, PMP, Managing Director

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Performance Reporting Considerations: Environmental, Social and Governance Investment Strategies

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment strategies and other portfolio management strategies that accentuate societal impact into the investment management process are burgeoning in popularity. Changing attitudes and demographics suggest that clients are increasingly interested in using their investment dollars to make positive impacts.

These new impact strategies challenge traditional investment performance reporting. This article examines the core characteristics of impact investing, barriers to improved performance reporting and tools to navigate this changing landscape.

by Laurie J. Hesketh, CIPM, PMP, Managing Director

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Self-Service Client Reporting: Challenges and Considerations

The risks and challenges presented here within are a sample of factors to consider when evaluating self-service reporting functionality. At the outset, providing electronic access to data seems simple. Layering increased data scrutiny by end-users with regulatory expectations that mimic those included on printed, scripted and static reports is complex. Identifying your firm’s specific challenges and charting a course to overcome them is a worthwhile, rewarding endeavor that will improve relationships with your clients. Meradia has a long history of helping clients with reporting challenges – including self-service reporting.

by Laurie J. Hesketh, CIPM, PMP, Managing Director

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Transformation Challenges Facing Insurance Investment Operations

The operations arms of Insurance Investment Managers are experiencing increased activity. With challenges mounting from increased customer expectations, a challenging regulatory environment, and a divergence in the quality and quantity of data between front and back offices; Insurance Investment Managers are looking for new solutions. The software landscape is quickly evolving as the impetus for change has reached critical mass.

During the past two decades, we’ve observed many investment managers, including insurance companies, painfully and expensively deploy human capital rather than address technology gaps to solve their operational challenges. Failure to keep applications and related infrastructure current drives up costs. As firms seek change, experienced resources can dramatically improve outcomes.

by Laurie J. Hesketh, CIPM, PMP, Managing Director

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