Much of the analysis driving this trend (to date) has focused on the investment decision process, and a strategic review of the potential benefits of the transition to increased internal management capabilities (i.e. anticipated higher net-of-fee returns).
The combination of the analysis listed above, and the gut reaction of non-investment professional decision makers ("We're paying the external manager what? Can't we just do it ourselves?"), often leads to the conclusion to develop or enhance internal asset management capabilities.
Many times the decision is a good one, but these asset owners/aspiring asset managers should not underestimate the scope and potential implications of this decision. They are not only taking on the investment decision process from the external manager, they also must now account for the numerous enabling functions that support the investment management process including trading, middle office, back office, and business control and oversight.
When the initial evaluation points toward increasing internal investment management capabilities, asset owners should take a deep breath, and also carefully consider the organizational, operational and technological impact of the transition to internally managing assets.
Numerous questions need to be considered, including:
Organization: What will our investment management organizational model look like? How will an asset management team fit within our broader organization?
Operations: Will we outsource, or develop our own investment data management, compliance, and middle office operations?
Technology: What will our investment application architecture look like? Will it fit within our existing IT infrastructure?
There are many potential benefits for asset owners to gain from increasing their in-house asset management capabilities but they must look before they leap, and fully understand the challenging journey of designing and implementing the operations and technology infrastructure required to deliver on the promise of these benefits.
Because if the Board of Directors is not happy with the results, they may look to terminate the asset manager!