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Opportunity knocks in private markets

Private markets are booming, with capital inflows and investor interest accelerating at breakneck speed. But that growth has exposed the complex web of systems and processes holding up the sector. For custodians and administrators, it represents both a challenge and an opportunity to redefine their role – untangling the web, automating infrastructures and driving the next stage of growth.

SEC’s share class relief ushers in new era for ETFs

Following the SEC's approval of Dimensional Fund Advisors’ ETF-as-a-share class structure, asset managers are racing to adopt the model that has been tipped to reshape the global investment landscape.

Managing expectations: A prime example

Providers of prime brokerage services appear relatively upbeat at the moment. Is their optimism justified? Richard Schwartz reports. 

The Great Consolidation

The fund administration space continues to be a key breeding ground for M&A activity – driven by the need for scale, tech investment and global reach. As providers race to keep pace with increasingly complex demands and requirements, consolidation has become a strategic necessity.

Why the Middle East is an untapped oasis for custodians

The Middle East is no longer just a rising market – it's a melting pot of opportunity for custodians, with sovereign wealth funds managing trillions, capital markets booming and economic diversification in motion. From record-breaking IPOs to a surge in alternative investments, Sophia Thomson examines how the custody industry is evolving in the region – and why success depends on tailor-made solutions and lasting relationships built on trust.

The future of custody

Digitalisation, shorter settlement cycles, a renewed focus on geopolitical risks and the emergence of new asset classes will be among some of the biggest changes shaping global custody over the next decade.

Can the Capital Markets Union save Europe from mediocrity?

A disparate and fragmented European Union is thwarting the continent’s ability to compete effectively with the largest markets in the world. But a new political impetus has reinvigorated the consolidation agenda, with a view to challenging national frameworks and bringing growth back to the region.

The prime brokerage pie is growing, which means bigger slices for everyone

Prime brokerage is a business driven by growth in its client base, and in 2024, players of all shapes and sizes are reaping the rewards of navigating an eventful few years to post record numbers off the back of positive trends in the hedge fund space, writes Jonathan Watkins.

Navigating the new Form PF requirements

The private funds industry is now just six months away from the implementation of sweeping Form PF amendments – described as the ‘most material change to alternative investment reporting in the US in more than a decade’.

The AI shift: Reshaping fund administration and unlocking new market potential   

AI promises to enhance efficiency and accuracy in routine processes, while also providing deeper insights through advanced analytics. This technology could elevate the operational standards of fund administrators to new heights. However, like any major technological shift, integrating AI into fund administration comes with its own set of challenges and risks.