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Background A Global Service provider began a multi-phase implementation for a Global Investment manager to convert them onto their modern outsourced platform. The initiative aimed to enhance operational efficiency while fully supporting their clients increasingly complex global investment strategies. The Challenge Despite a clear strategic objective, the project quickly fell behind. During the initial rollout
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Breaking Down Barriers: Building a Scalable OTC Derivatives Solution from the Ground Up
Background A service provider had long been known for its “white glove” premium service and seamless onboarding experience. But when a recent acquisition introduced new front-to-back capabilities, including modern OMS and IBOR, things began to unravel. The firm had promised clients advanced OTC derivatives functionality, but under the hood, their infrastructure told a different story.
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Transformation Tapes, Episode 3: Derivatives
Manual steps, errors, and costly trade failures often plague derivatives operations. AI can help firms transition from firefights to foresights by reducing downtime, accelerating reconciliations, and freeing teams to focus on meaningful work. David Raza discusses this topic in his recent article, From Friction to Flow: Rethinking Derivatives Operations with AI. Listen to the highlights
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Don’t Just Replace your Legacy Technology, Rethink Your Operations
Replacing legacy systems isn’t enough. To compete in today’s investment landscape, firms must rethink how people, platforms, and processes work together. In this Q&A, Meradia’s Chris Cassara and John Reilly of FundGuard share how they help asset managers and servicers modernize operations, accelerate implementation, and unlock long-term value. What they cover: Why tech upgrades alone
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From Friction to Flow: Rethinking Derivatives Operations with AI
In a world where front offices are adopting AI for portfolio construction and risk modeling, the middle office is quietly falling behind. Operational failures cost the industry Billions annually. According to DTCC, a global trade fail rate of just 2% leads to approximately $3 billion in costs each year, much of it stemming from outdated,
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ISITC Securities Operations Summit 2025 – Event Recap by Meradia: Shifting Cycles, Smarter Tech, and the Future of Ops
The 31st Annual ISITC Securities Operations Summit, held earlier this week, brought together professionals from across the financial services industry to engage with thought leaders shaping the future of operations. Centered around the theme Resilience Through Innovation: Preparing for the Next Decade in Financial Services, the event explored topics including accelerated settlement, AI, U.S. Treasury clearing,
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Trends Impacting Investment Operations, Meradia’s 2025 Viewpoint
SUMMARY A modern Target Operating Model in investment management is no longer a “nice to have” but a necessity in an increasingly competitive, data-driven, and highly regulated landscape. Firms cannot cut their way to success in the marketplace as technological innovation and operational efficiency is the source of future outperformance relative to peers. Firms who
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Reclaimable Withholding Taxes: Investment Performance Challenges
Reclaimable withholding taxes from foreign dividends and income present challenges for asset managers and asset owners. This paper examines operational challenges associated with investment performance calculations, specifically pertaining to a global portfolio with investments in multiple countries. Challenges discussed include jurisdictional nuances, uncertainty of collecting receivables, and delayed reclaims. Additionally, this paper addresses the advantages
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The Customization Conundrum: Navigating the Challenges of OTC Derivatives
In the ever-evolving world of finance, over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are the hidden gems within portfolios of savvy managers, offering both complexity and opportunity. Initially developed to meet specific hedging needs, OTC derivatives have grown significantly in both volume and importance, now playing a crucial role in global finance. These instruments offer the unique ability to
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Silos to Solutions: The Data-Driven Approach to Front-to-Back Transformation
For the past decade, the market seemed to be racing away from multi-vendor best-of-breed implementations towards everyone implementing some type of Front-to-Back solutioning. As discussed in more detail earlier in this series, the primary reason was to reduce costs by simplifying the entire end-to-end process. Their adoption hasn’t occurred at the pace everyone initially thought
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