An "opportunity index" to help asset managers focus their distribution efforts is part of Cerulli Associates' new study, "Managed Accounts: Asset Manager Distribution Roadmap," the firm announced on Friday, August 13.
The rating tool evaluates specific sponsors according to characteristics that make them more or less attractive to managers looking for access or wanting to grow assets on their platforms. These characteristics include momentum, total asset growth and size, and growth of the advisor force.
"For the first time, asset managers are able to compare managed account sponsors for both advisor-directed and sponsor-discretionary assets," Jeff Strange, head of Cerulli's managed accounts practice, said in the statement.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney scored highest among sponsors across each best practices category, Cerulli said. Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, UBS and RBC Wealth Management followed. Strange said it was not surprising that the four wirehouses had the highest scores, given that "these firms have the most managed account assets, most rep-driven assets and the most accessible advisors."
