Citigroup scores Prudential custody win
The bank receives a regional mandate to provide securities services, fund accounting and fund administration in nine markets.
Citigroup has inked a major deal with Prudential (UK), winning the right to offer securities services, fund accounting and related fund administration. The mandate, which Citigroup won over a handful of other custodian banks, will include providing these services for PrudentialÆs insurance funds and unit-linked funds across Asia.
This mandate will include securities services, fund administration and fund accounting in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Aside from providing both domestic and global custodian services in these markets, Citigroup will also provide investment accounting services for the assets and act as the securities lending agent in markets where it is permitted by local regulation.
According to the bank, the request for proposal (RFP) process began for five months ago, with four banks, including Citigroup, invited by Prudential to pitch for the business. The RFP process also entailed a region wide on-site due diligence of Citigroup facilities by Prudential reviewers and presentations to the company by various service providers.
According to Prudential, the decision to appoint a custodian bank came through a review of existing custody services used regionally. Following this process, the firm then decided to support the development of a leading edge finance function regionally, of which required the experience of an international custodian with an established regional footprint.
When selecting the bank, the core objectives for Prudential was primarily to optimize asset servicing under a safe and stable custodian network, implement system integration and automation, a securities finance function and enhance liquidity. The firm was also looking to improve client service, relationship management and move forward in other general efficiency improvements.
Prudential officials say that it choose Citigroup to provide these services for its ability to offer a comprehensive yet customized solution across nine countries with a flexible and competitive pricing structure. It also required that its custodian bank met its needs of differing local rules and regulations across the different countries, as well as customise its reporting and integration functions.
Prior to appointing Citigroup, Prudential appointed custodians on a local basis in each market.
Additionally, the mandate will not signal a significant headcount in PrudentialÆs back office in Asia. According to the firm, its fast level of expansion in the region will result in a redeployment of staff, rather than making them redundant.
This mandate will include securities services, fund administration and fund accounting in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Aside from providing both domestic and global custodian services in these markets, Citigroup will also provide investment accounting services for the assets and act as the securities lending agent in markets where it is permitted by local regulation.
According to the bank, the request for proposal (RFP) process began for five months ago, with four banks, including Citigroup, invited by Prudential to pitch for the business. The RFP process also entailed a region wide on-site due diligence of Citigroup facilities by Prudential reviewers and presentations to the company by various service providers.
According to Prudential, the decision to appoint a custodian bank came through a review of existing custody services used regionally. Following this process, the firm then decided to support the development of a leading edge finance function regionally, of which required the experience of an international custodian with an established regional footprint.
When selecting the bank, the core objectives for Prudential was primarily to optimize asset servicing under a safe and stable custodian network, implement system integration and automation, a securities finance function and enhance liquidity. The firm was also looking to improve client service, relationship management and move forward in other general efficiency improvements.
Prudential officials say that it choose Citigroup to provide these services for its ability to offer a comprehensive yet customized solution across nine countries with a flexible and competitive pricing structure. It also required that its custodian bank met its needs of differing local rules and regulations across the different countries, as well as customise its reporting and integration functions.
Prior to appointing Citigroup, Prudential appointed custodians on a local basis in each market.
Additionally, the mandate will not signal a significant headcount in PrudentialÆs back office in Asia. According to the firm, its fast level of expansion in the region will result in a redeployment of staff, rather than making them redundant.
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