Global Distribution Conference

How to enhance and facilitate fund distribution in addressing the challenges of the industry seeing a constant cost increase for years?

Four stakeholders of the fund distribution eco-system will share their plan to add value to their clients in asset gathering and retention: are digitalisation and blockchain the answers to reduce and limit costs? What are the solutions to allow an immediate and direct access to a global fund universe for investors?

Where do you go to reach first-time investors? During the pandemic, online trading apps like Trade Republic reported rapid growth in first-time users flocking to the platforms to grow their wealth.
A new generation of investors don’t look to banks or advisers to tell them what to invest in: they have the confidence to choose themselves. Is it time to say goodbye to the traditional distribution model? Could the asset management industry piggy-back on this trend?
These and other questions will be explored by two founders leading organisations seeking to reimagine financial services for tomorrow’s investor.

This panel will cover the latest regulatory developments triggered by the EU Cross-Border Directive 2019/1160 that entered into force on 2 August 2021. The objective of the Directive is to facilitate the cross-border distribution of UCITS and AIFs across EU Member States by (i) removing local gold-plating requirements, (ii) harmonizing UCITS and AIFs notification procedure, (iii) reducing costs and (iv) enhancing investors’ protection. This panel will take stock of the situation two months after the implementation in debating the following hot topics:

• Did the fund distribution landscape experience a “big bang” as of 2 August 2021?
• Is the fund industry in the process of reshaping its set-up in target distribution markets?
• Will there be a point in time when the local facilities available to investors will be equal?
• What are the main improvements of the concept of pre-marketing?
• How far will de-notification of marketing prevent future transactions?
• What are the operational challenges accompanying the latest regulatory developments?

The importance of governance in efficient data management

We all want to know where our data are being stored and used. Without data being effectively managed, companies lose out on their competitive edge and expose themselves to tremendous risks. For data to truly support business initiatives, they need to be qualified, available, up-to-date as well as relevant.

Regulatory disclosure and information dissemination of dynamic, static data and documents are not only time-sensitive but require security and accuracy to respect compliancy and regulations within the fund industry. An aggregated view of the fund life cycle and its data within this industry calls for effective corporate governance to reduce the opacity of operations and allow for the mitigation of risk. A breach in data management has implications that go beyond simple business processes but can have serious legal consequences.

How to achieve this governance in efficient data management is a question that Fundsquare will approach in our Masterclass at the ALFI Global Distribution Conference. Four different industry actors will engage in a thoughtful conversation around this very important subject moderated by Vincent Lagrange, Senior Business & Relationship Development Manager at Fundsquare.

From the recent tech crackdown through to trade wars and currency fluctuations, we will open with a macroeconomic overview of the Chinese market.

We will then look at how the direct route into China has evolved (QFII/RQFI, CIBM and the growth of investment eligibility including derivatives, Star market), and at the continued success of the Connect schemes. To conclude, we will discuss how UCITS can best use the various access routes.

Q&A

Recent economic growth and wealth creation in Asia has been nothing short of extraordinary at almost every level of the financial system, including the retail, mass affluent, high net worth and institutional sectors. The region still holds significant potential for asset managers—both traditional and alternative managers—and many firms are looking to participate in this exciting market. While the opportunities are plentiful, Asia also poses a number of challenges for managers. The region includes a variety of distinctive cultures, languages and markets that are in various stages of evolution. It is tempting for managers to view Asia as one big growth story, but such an approach is unlikely to be a winning strategy. At the ALFI Global Distribution Conference, we’ll be exploring what success in the Asian markets looks like, talking with practitioners and experts about China, the alternative investment landscape and the distribution of traditional funds in this exciting region.

LatAm is home to 652 million people (67% being economically active) and, combined, its economies would be the 3rd largest “country” in the world with a GDP of $4.8 trillion (2020) and more recently Latin America has gained pace of venture activity. Investors rang up a record number of 488 deals in 2020 while pouring more than $4 billion into start-ups for a second-consecutive year.
On the investor front, LatAm private and institutional investors hold as of today ~ $3 trillion in Assets. By 2025 it is estimated that its clients’ investments will soar up to $5 trillion. An entire new generation of millions of eager digital (native) investors combined to the upsurge of gross national income and the seamless investment experience offered by LatAm based Asset Managers are some of the factors forging the new Asset Management scene in Latin America.
Is a $4.8 trillion economy with $3 trillion of AuM part of your plans?
Join us to listen to what key successful market practitioners covering Latin America have to say.

One would think that most players in the asset management industry are active in Europe’s largest fund domicile already. However, every year, we see asset managers from around the world launching their first fund in Luxembourg. And also new service providers keep entering this dynamic market still. Why have they chosen Luxembourg over other jurisdictions? Are they outsourcing to the Luxembourg eco-system or do they set up their own office? How easy or difficult is it to find staff? And what is their experience dealing with the Luxembourg regulator? These and other questions will be discussed with newcomers to Luxembourg.