JP Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) ranked as the top asset manager in Hong Kong, while BlackRock came first in Singapore, according to a survey of 350 fund selectors carried out by Broadridge.
“Every year, Broadridge Fund Buyer Focus Intelligence interviews fund selectors in seven markets across Asia Pacific to understand which asset managers rank highly for various aspects of service and product quality,” Evonne Gan, associate director of Apac insights at Broadridge told FSA.
“This data provides benchmarking and competitor analysis based on real world perceptions of fund managers operating in the region.”
In Hong Kong, BlackRock gained one place to finish second, followed by AllianzGI, which ranked third for the quarter ending June 30.
Fidelity, which dropped two places compared with the 2021 year-end survey, ranked fourth, followed by Schroders.
The rankings in Singapore have not changed during the six-month period, with BlackRock leading Fidelity, Schroders, JPMAM and Pimco.
The survey asked for fund selectors’ perceptions on several factors, including ‘marketing and communication’, ‘sales and account management’, ‘brand aspects’, ‘product perceptions’ and ‘expectations of the future’.
Under the marketing and communication section, selectors cited timely information provision as among the main reasons why they see a fund group as excelling at marketing.
A Chinese fund seller responded that it expects third-party vendors to provide research reports, a more accurate grasp of future trends and more detailed marketing materials.
Meanwhile, a Japanese fund seller said that asset managers should enhance their use of social media and artificial intelligence to collect more data for marketing.
On the other hand, selectors said that they were hoping for an improvement in their events.
“As for support from providers, we would like them to help with our marketing events and adopt an objective and fact-based stance rather than a promotional one,” said a Singaporean fund seller who responded to the survey.
A Hong Kong-based fund seller added that with more and more investors transferring their investments to offshore accounts, it is important to reassure investors about Hong Kong’s status as a hub by holding roadshows and zoom meetings.
“Providers could support us with additional information for our clients as well as product information to give investors confidence. We send monthly reports to our clients to stimulate their investment interest,” the fund seller added.
Apart from the fund perceptions survey, Broadridge also conducts surveys of fund selectors in Apac in its annual Broadridge Fund Brand 50 study.
