Mercer Investment Consulting has launched a new web-based Global Custody Database to support its custody and asset administration consulting services to pension plans and foundations, and investment managers around the world.
Mercer’s Global Custody Database is designed to allow efficient, in-depth research and analysis across geographical boundaries and market segments; facilitate quick and easy custody searches; and assist clients in benchmarking current or prospective custodians’ capabilities and fees against industry standards and best practices. Custodians also can update their data on-line as necessary.
Mercer’s Global Custody & Asset Administration Group – which advises pension plans, foundations and investment management firms on issues related to custody operations and asset administration issues – relies on the database information as a foundation for evaluating custodians’ services and risk profiles. The database is also used to supply relevant information about custodians as requested by clients.
“Mercer’s database is a powerful tool because it enables us to deliver a more efficient service to clients, and allows our consultants to develop an in-depth understanding of each custodian’s service offering and internal control environment,” says Stacy Scapino, who heads Mercer’s Global Custody & Asset Administration Group.
“Our philosophy and methodology are global. We conduct on-site reviews where a custodian has processing and client service centres, regardless of geography,” Ms. Scapino adds. “Since core custody operations do not change frequently, our database allows us to analyse the status quo, track changes, document on-site due diligence observations and share information on a global basis.”