Highland Capital [profile] has hired SEI to provide a variety of back- and middle-office services to its Highland/iBoxx Senior Loan ETF, including distribution.
SEI will reportedly provide complete outsourcing to Highland, delivering fund administration and accounting, investor servicing, portfolio accounting, daily reconciliation, as well as distribution services and order management.
"We are doing everything for this new ETF product from its back office and distribution services to their order processing," John Alshefski senior vice president of SEI’s Investment Manager Services division told MFWire.
He added that "we have seen a lot of activity in the '40 Act space with mutual funds and ETFs as well as with hedge funds and private equity."
Here is the press release:
Company Press Release
SEI SELECTED BY HIGHLAND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE
OPERATIONS OUTSOURCING FOR NEW EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
Strategic Partnership Helps Firm Market Bank Loan Expertise Through ETF Structure
OAKS, Pa., March 13, 2013 – SEI (NASDAQ:SEIC) today announced that it has been selected by Highland Capital Management Fund Advisors’ mutual fund division to provide a comprehensive, turnkey solution to support the firm’s open-end senior bank loan exchange traded fund (ETF). SEI’s integrated ETF solution, which includes a full-service suite of back- and middle-office services, is designed to help investment managers enter the growing ETF market quickly while also providing operational efficiency and supporting the industry’s demand for greater transparency. This ETF launch marks an ongoing trend in the ETF marketplace towards products that will generate alternative sources of income. This strategic partnership is an extension of SEI’s existing hedge fund outsourcing relationship with Highland Capital Management.
SEI will provide a complete outsourcing solution to Highland, delivering fund administration and accounting, investor servicing, portfolio accounting, daily reconciliation, as well as distribution services and order management. SEI’s track record of success with Highland, its strong bank debt solution, and the company’s deep experience with some of the industry’s largest ETF providers, were pointed to as key factors in the decision.
“We were looking for a partner who could help us bring our strategy to market quickly and effectively, and SEI stood out at every turn with its ETF expertise and best-in-class order-taking technology solution,” said Ethan Powell, Chief Product Strategist of Highland Capital Management Fund Advisors. “SEI has an established track record of success with some of the largest money managers both inside and outside the ETF space, has a proven Authorized Participant process, and an expertise in bank debt processing that gave us the utmost confidence.”
“The bank loan debt space is expanding rapidly as investors are seeking alternative sources of income through registered fund structures and we are very pleased to help Highland bring this strategy to the ETF marketplace,” said John Alshefski, Senior Vice President, SEI’s Investment Manager Services division. "Our full-service, integrated solution has allowed Highland to get its ETF launched and available to investors quickly and efficiently, while our breadth of experience in navigating the retail marketplace will be advantageous as Highland continues to expand and enhance its business.”
SEI introduced the industry’s first fully automated, web-based processing system for ETFs, and currently services over $525 billion in ETF assets, representing approximately 45 percent of the total market.
About SEI's Investment Manager Services Division
SEI's Investment Manager Services division provides comprehensive operational outsourcing solutions to support investment managers globally across a range of registered and unregistered fund structures, diverse investment strategies and jurisdictions. With expertise covering traditional and alternative investment vehicles, the division applies customized operating services, industry-leading technologies, and practical business and regulatory insights to each client’s business objectives. SEI's resources enable clients to meet the demands of the marketplace and sharpen business strategies by focusing on their core competencies. The division has been recently recognized by Buy-Side Technology as “Best Fund Administrator,” by Hedge Funds World Middle East as “Best Service Provider” and by HFMWeek as “Best Single Manager Hedge Fund Administrator (Over $30B AUA)” in the U.S. and “Best Administrator – Technology Provider” in Europe. For more information, visitwww.seic.com/ims.
About SEI
SEI (NASDAQ:SEIC) is a leading global provider of investment processing, fund processing, and investment management business outsourcing solutions that help corporations, financial institutions, financial advisors, and ultra-high-net-worth families create and manage wealth. As of December 31, 2012, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the company has a significant interest, SEI manages or administers $458 billion in mutual fund and pooled or separately managed assets, including $201 billion in assets under management and $257 billion in client assets under administration. For more information, visit www.seic.com.
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