Economy And Regulations Hinder Invesment Management Firms
Friday, August 19, 2011

The weak economic environment and new regulations are keeping investment management companies on a slow growth track, according to industry executives surveyed by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm.

KPMG's survey of 100 US investment management executives conducted in May - June 2011 revealed at that time that their biggest concern was around regulatory and legislative pressures. However, the firm reports that their views about an overall economic recovery were "equally dour".

“The executives told us that the combined impact of the uncertain regulatory and constricted economic environment is significantly inhibiting growth as they try to determine what moves they will need to make to maintain their competitive edge,” said Dave Seymour, head of KPMG’s Investment Management practice.

“The good news is that they are putting cash into play to improve their infrastructure and to prepare for future business needs,” he said.

According to the survey, 61% of the asset managers indicated the regulatory pressures pose the most significant barrier to their company’s growth. In addition, 70% of the executives said they are concerned with the overall regulatory climate in the US

Furthermore, investment management executives were not optimistic that the economy will experience a recovery anytime soon. While more than half of the executives said they expect a moderate improvement next year, in a separate question, 57% indicated they don’t expect a complete recovery until the end of 2013 or even later.

Dealing with regulatory and internal control needs is expected to represent the second largest increase in spending over the next year, according to the asset managers, coming in behind information technology.

Asked to identify what actions they would need to take to comply with regulatory changes, 68% identified improving existing internal policies and procedures, 63% pointed to strengthening information technology platforms and enabling applications, 59% said strengthening risk management processes, 46% identified developing a strong internal training program for staff, and 40% chose enhancing financial reporting procedures.

The survey found that 75% of the asset managers said their companies have “significant” cash on their balance sheets and 24% already are investing the cash, and an additional 27% expect to be investing by the first quarter of 2012. The top three high-priority investment areas they expect the cash will be applied to include: technology (25%), strategic acquisitions (21%) and expansion into new markets (18%).

When asked to choose areas in which they are looking to increase spending over the next year, 57% said information technology, 29% identified regulatory and control environment, and 26% said new products and services.

“Information technology is among the most important areas for these executives right now because system platform upgrades will be required for many firms to maintain their competitive advantages in addition to meeting new regulatory requirements, such as cost basis reporting, FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), and certain components of Dodd Frank,” said Seymour.

More than half (54%) of the executives surveyed believe that transparency has improved between investment managers and investors since the financial crisis, while 38% have seen no real change. Nine percent said it is too early to tell.

In addition, nearly half of those surveyed (49%) said they believe that relationships between investment managers and investors have improved, while 37% said they have seen no real change, and 15% said it is too early to tell.

“The current market turmoil reminds us again that rebuilding trust with investors is a critical step to seeing a full recovery in the industry,” said Seymour.

In other survey findings, executives believe that over the next 12 months, investors’ capital will continue being invested in traditional funds, with 46% choosing long only funds, 15% said real estate fund offerings, 14% said private equity and private equity fund of fund offerings, 14% said hedge fund and hedge fund of fund offerings, and 11% said venture capital.