Insights
Why transfer agents play a pivotal role in cross-border fund distribution
Transfer agents remain at the center of the cross-border fund distribution ecosystem and, in an increasingly digital world, the nature of their role is evolving at pace.
November 2024
In an Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI) Global Assets Conference panel discussion hosted by State Street earlier this year, all panel participants agreed that transfer agents would remain crucial as new technologies, the distribution of new products and entry into new markets pose challenges.
“The transfer agent is pivotal in driving cross-border fund distribution,” said Deirdre Ryan, head of Business Origination for Luxembourg at State Street, who chaired the discussion. “But distribution strategy continues to evolve and is ever-moving.”
What does that mean in practice? Panelists discussed five key areas where the transfer agent’s role is crucial, and where change is underway or needed:
- Building trust through modernization and collaboration
- Supporting the investor experience
- Participating in new technology adoption: blockchain and AI
- Working with new products and services
- Expanding into new markets
