Investment Mangement Exams: Is the SEC on the right track?

"We have planned a number of significant sweeps of investment advisors. In the last few months--really in the last year or two--we have tried to orient our program, especially the investment management program, more toward cause- and risk-based exams."

This quote from New York SEC Regional Director George Canellos represents a strike towards more streamlined hedgefund regulation. To find out what will follow, including, see the story HERE.

New Year's Resolutions

When it comes to the economy and the New Year, individuals seem to be exhibiting 20-10sion.

It should come as no surprise that more individuals made New Year’s resolutions regarding finances than in the past. Two financial services firms conducted surveys to identify exactly what level of confidence existed entering this year.

Fidelity Investments, in collaboration with Opinion Research Corp, conducted a poll of adults throughout the country regarding their economic goals for the upcoming year. 43 percent (8 percent more than in past surveys) said they made resolutions concerning money. When asked about what they were specifically, these were the results:

• 51 percent said saving more money would be their primary focus.
• 30 percent said spending less.
• 14 percent who said they were going to try making or sticking to a budget.

These results are quite similar to a recent survey conducted by Edward Jones, which wielded these results:

• 33 percent chose increase savings as their top financial resolution.
• 30 percent chose paying down debt.
• 13 percent aimed to set aside more money for a child's or grandchild's education.
• 9 percent selected contributing more money to a 401(k) or IRA plan.
• 7 percent paying down a mortgage faster.
• 3 percent said they would begin working with a financial adviser.

It’s clear that public perception is that the economy is not recovering to the point where spending beyond necessity will start any time soon. Financial institutions should take this under consideration when messaging and creating materials aimed towards convincing the general public that the time to invest is now.

Going East: Doing Business in Asia

The recent Asia Task Force: Doing Business in Asia meetings have shed light on the global reach of what we do and how it translates across continents.

It also served to highlight truly emerging markets. According to UKTI:

*Southern China continues to be a key driver of China's rapid growth. 

*The region's largest economy, Guangdong province, is still first nationally for export/import volumes. Although hit hard and early by the global economic slowdown (600,000 job losses earlier in the year),

*Guangdong is likely to be among the first to recover as the provincial government presses ahead with transforming the province's industrial structure from low-cost, labor intensive production to hi-tech, value-added, innovative and service oriented industry. 

*Guangdong's GDP bounced back to 7.1% for the first half of 2009, and it continues to register growth in attracting FDI, against a drop nationally of 20%. 

Knowing where to go is only half the equation. Understanding cultural norms, how to translate (operationally) best practices and the timing and constraints around implementing projects are true keys to success.