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SMAs, or separately managed accounts, were previously referred to as wrap accounts. As defined by the Dictionary of Investment and Financial Terms, these investment accounts represent investment consulting relationships. A client's funds are placed with one or more money managers, and all administrative and management fees, along with commissions, are bundled into one comprehensive fee, which is generally paid quarterly. This fee may vary, but is often 1% - 3% of the assets. An average minimum investment typically has been $100,000, but recently this amount has dropped to $50,000 and in some cases even $25,000. The advantage of SMAs to high-net-worth clients is that they have access to top money managers who were previously inaccessible because of high account minimums, often $1 million. Clients with over $1 million investable assets are now considered to be ultra-high-net-worth clients. A broker overseeing a SMA is paid an ongoing fee to provide investment advice and services to their clients, as well as monitor performance of the money managers in their program.
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There are many benefits to a SMA. First and foremost, an investor receives a tailored approach to reach their specific investment goals. Separately managed account investments can be managed for tax-efficiency, as well as provide the investor the opportunity to make specific portfolio requests (trading, investment restrictions etc.). Fee structures are asset-based, not commission-based, which offer a significant value to the individual investor.
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In a study conducted by CheckFree Investment Services in February 2001, it was found that success is dependent on three primary factors: performance, sales/marketing, and operational efficiencies. In the coming weeks, a best practices Q&A will become a regular feature of www.SMAForum.com. In the Q&A, separately managed account industry participants will discuss a variety of keys to being successful in the industry.
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The www.SMAForum.com initiative was borne out of the need to share best practices, educate and expand the dialogue with the money management industry and the brokerage industry. CheckFree Investment Services launched the www.SMAForum.com website to create a unique point to aggregate information on the separately managed account industry and to become a resource to industry participants and newcomers. The target audience for www.SMAForum.com is any investment professional who is interested in learning about the industry from the perspective of the front, middle and back office. As the first firm to develop a Separately Managed Account System, CIS services and partners with virtually every firm that participates in the industry. As a result of providing technology and operations oriented solutions, CIS is looking to rapidly and effectively disseminate information to the industry to stimulate growth and assist firms in their decision-making processes.
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Separately managed account programs can be sponsored by wirehouses, regional brokerage firms, banks, independent broker/dealers, insurance companies, accounting firms and web-based firms.
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Institutional money managers, mutual fund companies, insurance companies, broker dealers are all involved as money managers in SMA programs.
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For a start-up separately managed account manager, staffing is required in the following areas: marketing/sales, new account opening, portfolio management, trade modeling, trading, reconciliation, and report production. Often, one person is able to handle the new account openings, trading, reconciliation and report production. As the amount of separately managed account assets and accounts increase, staff is usually added to these areas to accommodate the growth.
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CheckFree Investment Services launched www.SMAForum.com as a communications and educational initiative that will serve as a centralized resource to highlight best practices, technology trends and key issues for the fee-based separate account industry. Formerly known as www.KingsofWrap.com, www.SMAForum.com was re-launched to more accurately reflect the emerging nomenclature of the industry disseminate and is designed to serve as a best practices resource and forum for information contributed by industry leaders.
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