AIFMD will reduce choice and increase costs for fund managers and investors, according to BNY Mellon survey

LONDON, July 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New research by BNY Mellon, the global leader in investment management and investment services, points to significant uncertainty about Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) requirements despite today's first deadline for authorisation. BNY Mellon surveyed 70 respondents from Europe, Asia, the US and Latin America from companies with an accumulated total of over USD$5 trillion assets under management.

Key findings from the survey include:

• Half the survey respondents believe that uncertainty remains within their organisation, while a third reveal a fear of not complying on time and of negative financial implications.

• 50 per cent believe that their organisation will be disadvantaged in some way by AIFMD over the medium term.  Only 18 per cent believe there to be a benefit.

• While 58 per cent have a project team in place to deal with the issue, 73 per cent do not expect to apply for authorisation before 2014.

• As the industry comes to terms with the implications of a heightened regulatory environment, respondents believe that initial AIFMD project/one-off costs will range from between US$300,000 to over US$1 million per institution.

• Regulatory reporting is seen to have the greatest time and cost implications, followed by risk and compliance reporting. Respondents remain uncertain about the cost of depository services, which are not included in the estimates above. Additionally, 88 per cent believe that the cost of funds (TER) will increase as a result of AIFMD.

• 67 per cent believe that AIFMD will result in the absolute number of alternative funds decreasing, while 39 per cent believe that their organisation will close some funds, move funds outside of the EU or merge funds together.

• Two thirds of survey respondents believe the cost and complexity of compliance will lead to reduced choice of opportunities for investors.

• While fund managers do not expect to be the winners in this regulatory change, those surveyed believe that the key benefits of AIFMD will be seen mostly by investors and in the industry's ability to distribute more widely, making funds more accessible to the end user. 54 per cent of respondents expect to see an increase in the amount of capital invested in alternative funds due to AIFMD.

• The findings indicate that over half of respondents do not expect the AIFMD requirements to be adopted by other jurisdictions. 62 per cent believe that investors will keep their money in European-domiciled funds rather than invest in jurisdictions with less onerous requirements.

"Despite today being the deadline to apply for authorisation under AIFMD, much work remains for the industry to achieve full compliance, with our research suggesting that the burden of regulation could even lead to a lower number of funds available to investors," observes Hani Kablawi, EMEA Head of Asset Servicing at BNY Mellon, in response to today's findings. "Despite attempts to improve investor access and information, the industry is challenged by the complexity of implementing AIFMD and the need to comply with it in the future. This is a demanding time for the industry as it grapples with the slew of further regulation under implementation or discussion across Europe."

Notes to editors:
BNY Mellon's Asset Servicing business supports institutional investors in today's fast-evolving markets, safeguarding assets and enhancing the management and administration of client investments through services that process, monitor and measure data from around the world. We leverage our global footprint and local expertise to deliver insight and solutions across every stage of the investment lifecycle.

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of June 30, 2013, BNY Mellon had $26.2 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.4 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com, or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.

This press release is issued by The Bank of New York Mellon to members of the financial press and media.
All information and figures source BNY Mellon unless otherwise stated as at June 30, 2013.
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SOURCE BNY Mellon