Upload
shane-brett
View
292
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
This whitepaper is co-authored by Shane Brett, Managing Director at Global Perspectives, an Asset Management and Hedge Fund consultancy and Alan Meaney, Director at Fund Recs, a specialist software provider to the Funds Industry. During the past six months Shane and Alan have held discussions with 30+ depositary firms around their plans for implementing AIFMD and how their framework for day to day activities might look. This document covers AIFMD from the perspective of a depositary and discusses some of the practicalities in setting up an operating model in order to comply with the directive on a day to day basis. What you'll learn •The difference between Full Depositary and Depositary 'Lite'. •Each of the Directives requirements that apply to depositaries. •The operational considerations a depositary must look at.
Citation preview
AIFMD Depositary:
Developing an
operating model
A white paper co-authored by Shane Brett of Global
Perspectives and Alan Meaney of Fund Recs
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
2
Table of contents
Introduction .............................................................................................. 3
Depositary Lite vs Full Depositary .............................................................. 4
Depositary Functions ................................................................................ 6
Safe Keeping of Assets .............................................................................. 7
Oversight of the Fund................................................................................ 9
Cash Flow Monitoring ............................................................................. 11
Conclusions ............................................................................................. 13
Meet the authors .................................................................................... 14
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
3
Introduction
This whitepaper is co-authored by Shane Brett, Managing Director at Global Perspectives, an
Asset Management and Hedge Fund consultancy and Alan Meaney, Director at Fund Recs, a
specialist software provider to the Funds Industry.
During the past six months Shane and Alan have held discussions with 30+ depositary firms
around their plans for implementing AIFMD and how their framework for day to day activities
might look.
This document covers AIFMD from the perspective of a depositary and discusses some of the
practicalities in setting up an operating model in order to comply with the directive on a day to
day basis.
The information contained in this whitepaper is general in nature and should not be taken as
specific guidance for setting up an operating model.
AIFMD requires the depositary to take on strict liability for loss of assets held in custody and
even if this responsibility is discharged there is still substantial risk to the depositary.
Therefore, it is imperative that any firm looking for guidance on this matter seeks advice from
their local legal counsel when finalising their model.
The aim of this document is to provide a useful starting point to generate some of the internal
debate and questions when transitioning from discussing the Directive to implementing
processes and procedures around its compliance.
This is intended to be a working document and we plan to update it as new information on
depositary operating models becomes available.
We hope you find this document useful and appreciate any feedback you might have.
Regards,
Alan and Shane
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
4
Depositary Lite vs Full Depositary
The role of the depositary breaks down into three areas defined under Article 21(7), (8), and (9)
of the Directive; the safekeeping of assets held in custody; monitoring of cash flows and an
oversight role.
Full Depositary
Only EU AIFM managing EU AIF’s are subject to the full depositary regime (Article 21), whereby
a single depositary is required to perform the three core depositary duties of safe keeping of
assets, cash flow monitoring and oversight.
Under this model, the depositary is required to take on strict liability for loss of financial
instruments.
However, a depositary may delegate the safekeeping of assets to sub-custodians, but may not
delegate the cash monitoring or oversight duties.
Depositary lite
“Depositary lite” is the term used to describe the obligations of a depositary appointed to a
non-EU AIF managed by an EU AIFM which markets in Europe under a private placement
regime under Article 36 of the Directive.
The obligations of a depositary lite are similar to those applied to a full depositary with a few
key differences.
The liability standard for the loss of the AIF’s assets in custody is negligence rather than the
strict liability standard.
It is possible for different entities to undertake the different depositary lite tasks; therefore, a
prime broker could be responsible for safekeeping (assuming it had segregated the depositary
function from the prime broker one), an administrator for cash monitoring and a supervising
entity for oversight.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
5
Strict liability
Under AIFMD the depositary remains liable for the loss of any of the AIF’s assets held in custody
unless it can prove that the loss has arisen as a result of an external event beyond its
reasonable control, the consequences of which would have been unavoidable despite all
reasonable efforts to the contrary.
This effectively makes the depositary strictly liable for the loss of assets in custody, which is a
significantly higher standard than the one depositary firms are used to.
The pre-AIFMD standard of liability contractually assumed by depositaries did not extend to
loss of assets by their agents or sub-custodians, except where they breached their legal
standard of care in the selection, appointment and monitoring of such agents or sub-
custodians.
This contrasts to the AIFMD position where, in the absence of force majeure events, a discharge
of liability, or a safe harbour for assets held through a central securities depositary, a depositary
is strictly liable for loss of assets in custody by any party beneath them in the chain of custody.
This includes all sub-custodial agents and prime brokers (and their own independent sub-
custody networks).
Full Depositary (EEA AIF)
Cash flow monitoring
Asset safekeeping
Oversight
Single Entity
Strict Liability
Not AIFM
Not Prime Broker
Delegation Restrictions
Location Requirements
Depositary ‘Lite’ (non EEA AIF)
Cash flow monitoring
Asset safekeeping
Oversight
× Single Entity
× Strict Liability
× Not AIFM
× Not Prime Broker
× Delegation Restrictions
× Location Requirements
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
6
Depositary Functions
Under AIFMD the depositary has three key functions which must be executed. These are the:-
Safekeeping of Assets
Oversight of the Fund
Cash Flow Monitoring
We will look at each of these requirements in turn, as well as identifying some of the key
considerations for depositaries in developing their operational model.
AIFM
Cash Flow Monitoring
Article 21 (7)
Safekeeping of Assets
Article 21 (8)
In Custody Assets
Article 21 (8)(a)
Other Assets
Article 21 (8)(b)
Oversight
Article 21 (9)
Depositary
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
7
Safekeeping of Assets
Requirements under AIFMD:-
Under the AIFMD the depositary must maintain either custody or recordkeeping for all
the assets on the fund.
The funds’ assets must be properly segregated on the depositary’s books or on the
books of its delegates (e.g. sub custodians)
The depositary is required to monitor the custody risk throughout the chain of custody
on an on-going basis.
All assets of the fund which cannot be held in custody by virtue of their nature (e.g.
investments in other Collective Investment Schemes) must be recorded and monitored
by the depositary.
The assets of the fund must be separated from the assets of the depositary in such a
way that they can be clearly identified as belonging to the fund at all times.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
8
Operational Considerations
There is still some debate regarding the level of segregation required under AIFMD.
Many depositaries feel it is extremely difficult to implement the segregation
requirements of AIFMD in practice. We would recommend a “best efforts” basis be put
in place for all funds and their assets.
Implementing this separation of assets is likely to increase the cost of the depositaries
operational model, as they put in place the required financial, operational and
technological enhancements required to comply with the segregation rules.
It is still unclear how many national regulators view managing conflicts of interest -
where the same large organisation could be providing depositary, custody and
administration services (“One-Stop Shop” model) to an AIFM. Depositaries would be
advised to ensure their depositary model is developed as a clearly separate function
with its own processes, controls and reconciliation functions.
Depositaries need to consider how they will best mitigate risk in their operating model if
one of their prime brokers proves unable to perform the custody function on behalf of
the fund (for example in the return of the funds’ assets). Enhanced and on-going prime
broker monitoring and due diligence will be required.
In completing their prime broker due diligence depositaries need to ensure they are
comfortable with the operational model and controls the prime broker has in place.
Where these models do not match the depositaries risk profile, the depositary may not
wish to have the prime broker appointed. This could lead to a conflict with the fund
manager and their investment strategy.
Operationally depositaries need to consider carefully how prime brokers and sub-
custody delegates outside the EU will be managed. Local laws (for example in the US)
could be different (or even conflict) with the requirements of European regulation.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
9
Oversight of the Fund
Requirements under AIFMD
Under the AIFMD the depositary must maintain oversight of the Fund.
This includes:-
o Ensuring that the NAV is calculated in accordance with the rules of the fund and
the valuation principles within the AIFMD.
o Ensuring that the sale, issue, repurchase, redemption and cancellation of units or
shares of the AIF are carried out, and that the AIF’s income is applied, in
accordance with the relevant national law and the rules of the AIF;
o Ensuring that all transactions involving the AIF’s assets, any consideration is
remitted to the AIF within the usual time limits.
The depositary must also monitor the investments of the fund to ensure they are in
accordance with its stated investment restrictions.
The depositary must maintain accurate records in relation to all its oversight
responsibilities.
The depositary cannot delegate any of these oversight responsibilities to a third party.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
10
Operational Considerations
The depositary should be aiming to “plug-in” to the existing service providers on the
fund.
However depositaries will be heavily dependent on reports and data feeds from the
fund accounting, valuation and transfer agency departments of the fund’s
administrator. These linkages will need to be carefully controlled and fully tested.
In cases where the administration of the fund is done by a third party, additional
resources will be required to build and test the protocols and controls put in place to
ensure the depositary can access the fund data it needs to execute its oversight
requirements on a timely basis.
Under the depositary-lite model it is likely to be Prime Brokers who will typically
perform the safe keeping of the funds’ assets. This means depositaries have to move to
establish data and reporting linkages between these third party firms and the
depositaries own systems.
Substantial operational training will be required at most depositaries, as well as the
introduction of new controls and systems, as depositaries seek to interpret the practical
implementation of the AIFMD rules.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
11
Cash Flow Monitoring
Requirements under AIFMD
AIFMD requires that the depositary monitor the AIF’s cash accounts and completes a
reconciliation of the AIF’s cash flows.
The depositary has a responsibility to put in place effective procedures to reconcile all
the movements of cash on the fund on a daily basis (or as so often as they occur in a
more illiquid fund).
This includes implementing and completing a full reconciliation and overview of the
funds cash positions and cash movements, including subscription, redemptions, income
etc.
The depositary must be able to identify any unusual or unexplained cash flows at the
close of each day.
Where discrepancies are identified and are not resolved without undue delay, the
depositary must immediately move to notify the AIFM.
The depositary must be able to reconcile its own records with that of the AIFM.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
12
Operational considerations
In order to insure a full overview of transactions the depositary must have access to all
of the cash accounts of the AIF and receive statements in a timely manner for accounts
it cannot access reports for directly (i.e. T+1)
It is important to note that unreconciled fund accounting cash transaction reports will
not provide sufficient comfort as to a true reflection of the actual underlying cash
transactions on the fund. Using data from the broker/custodian side for cash flow
monitoring is a prudent approach.
For different AIF’s the definition of ‘unusual or unexplained cash flows’ will vary.
Therefore it is difficult to establish a single set of rules for cash flow monitoring that can
be applied to all funds. One approach is to agree applicable rules in advance on a fund
by fund basis with each AIFM. Although this adds additional complexity there seems to
be no alternative.
Procedures for dealing with cash exceptions must be established and signed off with
each AIFM. The time to document these is now and not when a breach occurs.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
13
Conclusions
As can be seen from this white paper the development and implementation of a
comprehensive depositary model involves many important operational considerations.
The end of the transition period for AIFMD implementation increases the urgency for which
these issues must be analysed and addressed.
Depositaries would be well advised to seek expert independent guidance regarding the rollout
and implementation of their depositary models, as depositaries adopt these new functions and
the industry moves to a new standard.
In implementing their new operational model depositaries will require a comprehensive suite of
software to enable them to properly execute their safekeeping, oversight and cash-flow
monitoring obligations.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
14
Meet the authors
Shane Brett, Managing Director - Global Perspectives
Shane Brett is a consultant, author and thought-leader specialising in
hedge funds, asset management and the wider global economy.
He has worked in the Alternative Investment and Financial Services
industry for 18 years and has managed large operational teams for hedge
funds and their administrators including UBS & BNP Paribas, product
development for Northern Trust and HSBC, as well as Global Operational
Due Diligence Programs for RBS Asset Management (now Aberdeen AM).
In 2011 he founded "Global Perspectives" - the hedge fund and asset management advisory and
research consultancy.
Shane is the author of two books - “The Future of Hedge Funds” (2012) & “The AIFMD Cheat
Sheet” (2013).
Shane is a member of the Editorial Board of “All About Alpha”, a Contributor Writer for Seeking
Alpha, as well as publishing extensively in the Investment industry (e.g. HFM Week, All About
Alpha, Hedge Fund Insight and Hedge Fund Journal).
Shane holds an MBA in Management Consulting from the University of Wales and project
management qualifications in PRINCE2 and Six Sigma.
Contact: [email protected]
Phone: +353 (0) 87 115 2173
About Global Perspectives
Global Perspectives provide bespoke economic, asset
management and hedge fund research, consulting and advisory
services to the fund managers and administrators worldwide.
Our monthly White Papers on all aspects of the asset
management industry and the wider global economy are
following closely and widely cited in the asset management and hedge fund community.
www.fundrecs.com | AIFMD Depositary: Developing an operating model | www.globalperspectives.co.uk
15
Alan Meaney, Director – Fund Recs
Alan brings over 9 years’ experience in the Fund Administration Industry
and studied Business Information Studies at Dublin Institute of
Technology.
Alan started his Funds Industry career at HSBC and more recently worked
in Fund Accounting at SEI Investments.
Alan founded Fund Recs in 2013 with Padraig O’Scanaill. Alan has written several industry
related articles including ‘Working with CSV files’ and ‘Six Steps to Automating Your
Reconciliation Workflow’.
In early 2014 Alan graduated from the Enterprise Ireland Hothouse New Frontiers entrepreneur
development programme.
Alan has taken the insights and pain of doing manual reconciliation's over the years and used
his technical knowledge to produce the Fund Recs solution.
Contact: [email protected]
Phone: +353 (0) 87 767 8844
About Fund Recs
FundRecs.com provides cloud based reconciliation
software for the Funds Industry.
Recently it launched its Depositary Rec product which
helps depositaries scale their services.
It includes modules for cash flow monitoring, custody record keeping and cash reconciliation.
Based in Dublin, FundRecs.com was established in 2013 and is supported by Enterprise Ireland.