Northern Trust launches new distribution product for asset managers

Datum One Series Trust follows the custodian’s Advisers Investment Trust, launched in 2011, has grown to approximately $18 billion.

By Jonathan Watkins

Northern Trust will give advisers and investment managers an expanded mechanism to amplify product distribution and deliver investment strategies via ’40 Act mutual funds.

The launch of Datum One Series Trust is the second trust organised as part of Northern Trust’s offering. 

Advisers Investment Trust, launched in 2011, has grown to approximately $18 billion in assets as of May 2020, the custodian said.

The trust allows managers to focus on distributing their funds under their own brand name and marketing strategy while leveraging Northern Trust’s industry-leading infrastructure and back-office services. 

A series trust, commonly known in the US as an umbrella trust, is a registered investment company (RIC) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The structure enables multiple unaffiliated registered investment advisers to manage separate portfolios or series within the same trust.

Northern Trust said the Datum One Series Trust supplies an experienced team of fund governance experts and fund officers to deliver best-practice regulatory support and operational infrastructure, freeing up the adviser to focus on money management, distribution and overall sales success.

“Our clients value our superior client service and flexibility as their products expand and new distribution channels are explored,” said Ryan Burns, head of global fund services in North America for Northern Trust. “Creating a second series trust solution increases our capacity to help clients get to market faster in support of their business goals.”

Northern Trust said the Datum One Series Trust supports any asset class managed in a ‘40 Act fund and is available to SEC-registered investment managers based anywhere in the world looking to access the US mutual fund market.

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