SEI Enhances Side Pocket Processing Capabilities
By Sei, PRNEMonday, April 5, 2010
Automation Provides Fund Managers Greater Control and Risk Reduction
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2010 - SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) today announced that it has further expanded its
capabilities related to the processing and accounting of side pocket
investments for fund managers. SEI spearheaded the design and development of
expanded functionality intended to provide managers with greater processing
control, efficiencies, and risk reduction capabilities related to these pools
of separate illiquid assets.
Over the past several years, side pocket investments have become more
prevalent in hedge funds amid liquidity issues in the market, and as a
result, the processing of these assets has come under greater scrutiny. Side
pocket investment processing is typically performed manually because
methodologies are unique across managers and complex in nature. SEI, which
utilises SunGard's InvesTier, a global partnership and investor accounting
solution, reviewed the practices of SEI's client base that have side pocket
investments with SunGard to identify a set of standardised best practices
that could be automated across liquid and illiquid assets. Specific
capabilities that were automated include incentive fee calculations, capital
transfer activity, income and expense allocation methodologies, as well as an
expanded cost basis release methodology on redemptions.
"We are always looking for new ways to reduce risk and expand our
operational outsourcing capabilities to support our clients - side pockets is
an area where there was a clear opportunity to make an impact," said Phil
McCabe, Senior Vice President and Solution Head, SEI's Investment Manager
Services division. "By collaborating with SunGard on this project, SEI is the
first InvesTier client to license and implement the new side pocket
processing functionality enhancements on behalf of our clients. In the end,
it's about giving our clients more confidence in SEI's calculations and
eliminating the need for them to run parallel processing in-house."
Gayle Alexander, chief operating officer for SunGard's InvesTier business
unit, stated, "Our relationship with SEI's Investment Manager Services
division, coupled with some additional side pocket features and requirements
gathered by SEI, helped extend and enhance the development and implementation
of our Side Pocket Management modules within InvesTier."
About SunGard's InvesTier
SunGard InvesTier is an investor accounting and reporting solution for
the alternative investment industry that provides domestic and offshore hedge
funds, funds of funds and fund administrators with partnership accounting,
fee calculation, share series and equalisation accounting capabilities. For
more information, visit www.sungard.com/investier/learnmore.
About SunGard
SunGard is one of the world's leading software and technology services
companies. SunGard has more than 20,000 employees and serves 25,000 customers
in 70 countries. SunGard provides software and processing solutions for
financial services, higher education and the public sector. SunGard also
provides disaster recovery services, managed IT services, information
availability consulting services and business continuity management software.
With annual revenue exceeding US$5 billion, SunGard is ranked 435 on the
Fortune 500 and is the largest privately held business software and IT
services company. For more information, please visit SunGard at
www.sungard.com.
Trademark Information: SunGard, the SunGard logo and InvesTier are
trademarks or registered trademarks of SunGard Data Systems Inc. or its
subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other trade names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
About SEI's Investment Manager Services Division
SEI's Investment Manager Services division provides comprehensive
operational outsourcing solutions to global investment managers focused on
mutual funds, hedge and private equity funds, exchange traded funds,
collective trusts, and separately managed, as well as institutional and
private client, accounts. The division applies operating services,
technologies, and business and regulatory knowledge to each client's business
objectives. Its resources enable clients to meet the demands of the
marketplace and sharpen business strategies by focusing on their core
competencies. The division has been recognised by Buy-Side Technology as
"Best Fund Administrator" and by HFMWeek as "Best Funds of Hedge Funds
Administrator." For more information, visit www.seic.com/ims.
About SEI
SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) is a leading global provider of outsourced asset
management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The
company's innovative solutions help corporations, financial institutions,
financial advisors, and affluent families create and manage wealth. As of
December 31, 2009, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the
company has a significant interest, SEI administers US$392 billion in mutual
fund and pooled assets and manages US$158 billion in assets. SEI serves
clients, conducts or is registered to conduct business and/or operations,
from numerous offices worldwide. For more information, visit
www.seic.com/enUK.
Services provided by SEI Investments - Global Fund Services Limited (Reg.
in Dublin No. 424309), SEI Investments Trustee & Custodial Services (Ireland)
Limited (Reg. in Dublin No. 315393), and their affiliates, which are all
wholly owned subsidiaries of SEI Investments Company.
SEI Investments - Global Fund Services Limited and SEI Investments
Trustee & Custodial Services (Ireland) Limited (Styne House, Upper Hatch
Street, Dublin 2, Ireland) are authorised by the Financial Regulator under
the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995.
This material is not directed to any persons where (by reason of that
person's nationality, residence or otherwise) the publication or availability
of this material is prohibited. Persons in respect of whom such prohibitions
apply must not rely on this information in any respect whatsoever.
Company Contact: Dana Grosser, SEI, +1-610-676-2459, dgrosser at seic.com; or Adriana Senior of SunGard, +1-718-578-1130, adriana.senior at sungard.com; Media Contact: Rory King, roryk at penrose.co.uk or Katy Hall, katyh at penrose.co.uk both of Penrose Financial, +44-0207-786-4888
Tags: April 6, Dubai, Middle East, SEI, united arab emirates