Fiserv, Inc., the provider of financial services technology applications, has announced the results of market research intended to reveal current hot-button trends and concerns in the managed accounts industry. The research conducted by Investment Services from Fiserv found that more than half of the respondents considered client retention as the largest challenge facing firms in 2009. About one in four respondents (28%) ranked maintaining revenues as the largest challenge while 13% cited managing overhead. The survey was conducted in the first quarter of 2009 and polled nearly 140 clients who attended a Fiserv market trends webinar.
In focusing on more specific industry trends, the research also found that nearly half of the companies (45%) polled were launching or planning to participate in a Models Only program. Some 48% had not yet decided whether they would participate in such a program, while just six percent answered they would not be involved in such an initiative. These results confirmed the growing interest in Models Only initiatives. Other notable findings included:
One in five respondents plan to expand their managed account offerings to include investments in foreign stocks, international mutual funds and index funds and/or international ETFs
45% of those surveyed believe the recession will last for at least another year
Fiserv has always been first and foremost committed to meeting the needs of our clients, especially during such a turbulent time. Market research gives us a better idea of what our clients want and need to excel, says Cheryl Nash, senior vice president of strategic marketing and business development for Investment Services from Fiserv. It is clear companies are looking at Models Only and ETFs and we are working to accommodate our clients interest in these particular areas among others in 2009.
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