| Do you know the person managing your money? If | | | | team-managed fund, it is actually immaterial, since |
| you don`t, you need to; knowing who is managing | | | | one manager is no longer in charge of the fund. |
| your fund is as important as knowing where your | | | | Funds management software has made it possible |
| money is. It`s absolutely essential, and you should not | | | | for a fund manager to simply follow the lead of |
| hesitate to ask as many questions as you wish so | | | | computer-generated information, thus making the |
| that you`re sure you`re comfortable with where your | | | | actual manager`s experience almost unnecessary. |
| money is being invested. This article will give you | | | | However, this is only the case when a computer is |
| some of the information you`ll need before you | | | | being used thusly: the fund manager is still essential in |
| make important decisions about your investment, and | | | | all other situations. |
| it should help you find your way through the | | | | Besides knowing who your fund manager is, it is also |
| sometimes confusing ins and outs of fund | | | | important to thoroughly investigate the fund |
| management. | | | | management company that the fund manager works |
| It is imperative that you know who the fund | | | | for. Much of the time, team management is used for |
| manager is and what his or her background and skill | | | | a fund, rather than a single manager. In this case, the |
| level is. You should keep in mind the following points. | | | | company is what`s important. These are some things |
| The fund manager should meet the following | | | | you should investigate to make sure it`s the right one |
| requirements or willingly disclose the following | | | | for you: |
| information so that you can make an informed | | | | - What are the company`s assets under management |
| decision(s) about the manager: | | | | in total? (If overly large, the company may not be |
| - Can communicate fluently with you in your native | | | | able to spend adequate time and effort managing |
| language (for clear, effective communication) | | | | your account) |
| - Has the requisite degrees and certifications (must | | | | - How long has the company has been in business? |
| be qualified to manage your money effectively) | | | | (Ensure they`ve been in business long enough to |
| - Be transparent about background and other | | | | have adequate experience in the field, for best |
| positions held (to help reassure you that he or she | | | | possible performance) |
| has the necessary experience) | | | | - What is the company`s history? (Past history should |
| - Be transparent about his or her degree of | | | | show solid and consistent performance) |
| management experience (to ensure that he or she | | | | - How big is the staff? (Should ensure consistent |
| can handle your investments responsibly) | | | | day-to-day management of your investments and |
| - Be willing to disclose the amount of money he or | | | | should ensure that you can contact someone easily |
| she held in previous management positions (must be | | | | who will have knowledge of your fund) |
| comfortable with the pressures of handling your | | | | - Does the staff speak your native language? (Should |
| money) | | | | ensure that you can easily communicate with them) |
| - Has spent adequate time in his or her current | | | | - The numbers of funds run by the company (how |
| position (so as to be thoroughly acquainted with the | | | | much similar experience does the company have?) |
| market(s) you wish to invest in or are interested in | | | | - The performance of their funds when viewed |
| learning more about) | | | | compared to similar funds run by the competition |
| - Willingly disclose any previous fund management | | | | (how do the company`s assets translate into |
| positions held that may have been similar to the | | | | concrete financial results?). |
| current one (so as to ensure his or her experience | | | | Your fund`s prospectus should have roughly 75% of |
| will enable him/her to make prudent decisions about | | | | this information in it. Although the information may |
| your money) | | | | not be vital to your decision to invest, most funds` |
| - Willingly disclose the returns his or her previously | | | | management companies will be happy to give it to |
| managed funds achieved while he or she was in | | | | you so as to make it inviting for you to invest with |
| control (so as to establish a track record and solid | | | | them. So don`t hesitate to ask questions until you`re |
| returns results). | | | | satisfied. You are absolutely entitled to know who`s |
| Even though this information is important to obtain | | | | managing your money. |
| on fund managers, it isn`t always easy to get. With a | | | | |