How digital platforms streamline client onboarding for investment funds

September 3, 2024

The investor onboarding experience for investment funds can be a complex, time-consuming and fragmented process. Learn how digital platforms reduce inefficiencies and make the process smoother, faster and less frustrating for all parties.

The onboarding process creates a first impression with a fund’s investors that can set the tone for the life of the relationship. Onboarding requirements are often complex and obtuse, which can lead to multiple requests, back-and-forth delays and increasing irritation.

Fortunately, the industry tide is starting to shift from an unwieldy, manual approach toward more efficient, technology-driven onboarding solutions. Learn how service providers are implementing digital platforms to make the process smoother and more user-friendly for everyone involved.

The inefficiencies of a manual process

We live in a digital age, so it’s surprising how many administrators still rely on manual processes for onboarding tasks. Obviously, this can introduce potential errors, inefficiencies and complications.

“At U.S. Bank, we’re focused on digitizing the investor onboarding experience and making it more rules-driven and efficient,” says David Corrigan, senior product manager for U.S. Bank Investment Services & WCIB. “We want to empower the investor in the onboarding process by providing them with first-rate technology. Ultimately, this is about achieving regulatory compliance without sacrificing customer experience.”

For some providers though, client onboarding is still a hands-on, manual operation. The investor sends in a form to initiate the process. Then the service provider extracts the information, performs a risk assessment and determines what other documentation they need from the investor to comply with all applicable regulations.

Making a strong first impression

It’s the job of both the fund and the service provider to respect their investors’ time and to accommodate their needs.

“Investors are the lifeblood of the whole operation, and that’s why it’s so important to get onboarding exactly right,” says David Kubilus, chief commercial officer for U.S. Bank Global Fund Services – UK and Luxembourg. “It creates a first impression for the investor that can impact the tone of the whole relationship.”

The best administrators are the ones investing in automated, integrated onboarding platforms. Investment in technology indicates that client service is a real priority and not just a marketing talking point.

“At U.S. Bank, we’ve focused on putting all our policies into a technology solution with a digital experience similar to opening a bank account with a retail provider,” says Kubilus. “Obviously, it's going to be more complex than that. But as a large bank, we’ve been able to draw on the user experience from our retail banking environment to bring those benefits, like speed and efficiency, to our fund clients and their investors."

The impact of a digital solution

A digital platform enables an administrator to provide solutions uniquely customized to each client’s needs – fully aligned with their specific milestones and requirements.

In today’s environment, it’s difficult to grow without a digital onboarding platform, and it's almost impossible to scale without one. Certain types of funds invest in complex private markets, so they may want to court multiple investor types from traditional institutional and family offices to high-net-worth individuals through wealth management channels. Funds looking to serve those broad sections of the market need to be able to onboard investors quickly, efficiently and at scale – making digital onboarding almost a must.

“I think our offering at U.S. Bank sends a very strong message to our clients about our commitment to use specialized technology to drive growth and service standards,” says Corrigan. 

Whether you’re a large, established firm, or a specialized shop looking to take your business to the next level, we have a full spectrum of ETF servicing solutions to help accelerate your success. To learn more, contact us or visit usbank.com/globalfundservices.

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Disclosures

Investment products and services are:
Not a deposit • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • Not bank guaranteed • Not insured by any federal government agency

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, N. A. 

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) Limited is registered in Ireland, Company Number 413707. Registered Office at 24 - 26 City Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland. Directors: Eimear Cowhey, Ken Somerville, Hosni Shadid (USA), Barry O'Connor. U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited is licensed under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020, as amended, by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission to conduct controlled investment business in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l. is registered in Luxembourg with RCS number B238278 and Registered Office: Floor 3, K2 Ballade, 4, rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg. U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l. is authorised and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier.

U.S. Bank Europe DAC, trading as U.S. Bank Depositary Services, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is registered in Ireland with the Companies Registration Office Reg. No. 418442. The registered office is Block F1, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18, Ireland D18 W2X7.

U.S. Bank Europe DAC Luxembourg Branch (trading as U.S. Bank Depositary Services Luxembourg) is registered in Luxembourg with RCS number B244276 and Registered Office: Floor 3, K2 Ballade, 4, rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg, regulated and authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) as well as by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the CBI and the CSSF are available from us on request.

U.S. Bank does not guarantee products, services or performance of its affiliates and third-party providers.