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Front-to-back office solutions are on the rise. Are they right for your firm?
by John Leavy, Senior Manager
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How Fund Operators Can Leverage “Dirty” Data To Enhance Business Intelligence
Dirty data – it sounds bad – something your mother warned you about: “you better not come home with that dirty data all over you!” What is this thing we call dirty data – and just because it is “dirty”, does it not hold value? Let’s explore how the desire for perfect data is the enemy of efficient business models.
by Tim Jager, Senior Manager
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Why It Pays To Analyze Data on Day One of a Business Transformation
When conducting a system-wide transformation, there are certain details that tend to be neglected. While some missing pieces can be less harmful than others, there is one that can derail your plans completely: Data.
Elizabeth M. Colebrooke, Senior Manager…
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Blinded by Pageantry: the Perils of Neglecting Performance Data Readiness
Once the decision to replace an investment performance system has been made, most firms kick off the effort by mobilizing a formidable complement of resources, all charged with a single objective: selecting the vendor(s) who will make it so. Sponsors, steering committees, stakeholders, managers, experts and analysts are convened. RFPs listing thousands of criteria, elaborate scoring schemes, long lists and short lists are constructed. Initial and targeted demos, proof-of-concept, final selection, management approvals and contract negotiations are conducted. Boxes are ticked. This elaborate pageant commands vast amounts of both internal resources and calendar time — once the winner has finally been announced, a festive celebration is held, and backs are patted all around.
by Mark R. David, CFA…
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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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Top Benefits of Hiring a Consultant To Manage Your Front-Office Transformation
The front office of an investment management firm is rarely, if ever, managed by a consultant. Key functions such as Head of Portfolio Management and Head of Trading are roles best suited for internal personnel. However, there are certain scenarios when it’s more effective to leave the work to an external resource. Here, we explain how front-office consultants can help your firm through a business transformation in ways internal resources can’t.
by Elizabeth M. Colebrooke, Principal…
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Purchasing a New Trading Platform? Don’t Overlook These Key Requirements
Portfolio management and trading platforms are some of the most critical decision-making, analysis, asset management and workflow tools within your organization. When it comes time for a system overhaul, small missteps can have costly and negative impacts. Let’s uncover the key requirements your firm can’t afford to miss in a system analysis.
by Elizabeth M. Colebrooke, Principal…
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5 Client Experience Trends – And Why Your Firm Should Be Paying Attention
As financial firms seek to expand distribution, enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve performance, they must also focus on the client experience. From the initial point of contact to ongoing client servicing and reporting, all interactions matter – and your clients are taking note. Negative experiences could lead to lost revenue, but positive experiences could be the key to unlocking future revenue. To ensure your business is staying competitive, consider these five trends shaping the client experience today.
by Timothy W. Jager, Principal…
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Agile and Waterfall: How To Marry the Two Approaches To Project Management
The two main approaches to project management, Waterfall and Agile, are often viewed as mutually exclusive. Though it’s true they may have little reusable overlap, each is helpful in setting expectations and tracking iterative development and nuanced progress updates. But what happens when you are managing an Agile team and the executive committee wants Waterfall-style reporting? Let’s explore how to unite the teams that work and view progress differently.
by Elizabeth M. Colebrooke, Principal…
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Control Your Data: Don’t Let Your Data Control You
Financial services organizations have complex and rapidly-evolving data requirements. Whether it’s navigating compliance with ESG standards or diversifying investment products into complex derivatives instruments and alternative investments, the challenges feel never-ending or even flat-out impossible to solve. This begs the question: Are you controlling your data or is your data controlling you?
by John E. Leavy,…
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