aiCIO Survey: Institutional Investors Call for Increased Regulation of Transition Managers

NEW YORK, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey in the latest issue of aiCIO finds that institutional investors exhibit a "robust willingness" to increase industry regulation of transition managers, the asset transfer specialists that help pension plans, endowments and other large asset owners restructure portfolios.

According to Kip McDaniel, aiCIO editor-in-chief, "This is an unexpected result, despite scandals earlier this year involving several prominent transition managers. Major investors are rarely advocates for more regulation, as they philosophically tend to perceive less regulatory oversight as a virtue."

He continued: "The public may view transition management as an esoteric business, but irregular transition practices can negatively impact everyday people whose wellbeing depends on our nation's pension plans, charities and hospitals."

More than 80% of North American institutional investors surveyed recently by aiCIO indicated that asset transfers via transition managers do not necessarily produce better outcomes than transfers that don't use these managers. "This also was unexpected and bears watching, as it may signal the beginning of a secular move away from transition managers in the US," said McDaniel.

About aiCIO
An online and print provider of news, information and proprietary survey data, aiCIO focuses on the 5,000 largest pools of capital in the world, across pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, insurance funds and other leading institutional investors. aiCIO is edited by Kip McDaniel. Please visit www.ai-cio.com/

About Asset International
Asset International is a privately-held provider of information and technology to global pension funds, asset managers, financial advisers, banking service providers, and other financial institutions in the private and public sector. Its industry-leading brands include Strategic Insight, SIMFUND, Plan For Life, PLANSPONSOR, PLANADVISER, aiCIO, Global Custodian, Philanthropy Management and The Trade. The company has offices in New York, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Boston and Stamford, CT.

SOURCE Asset International