Search Ocorian

Study reveals North American fund managers expect growth in all major European jurisdictions

Study reveals North American fund managers expect growth in all major European jurisdictions

16 October, 2024
Europe Funds Fund Administration AIFM
  • Ocorian study shows almost three in four (73%) North American fund managers predict an increase in the number of real asset funds serviced in both Luxembourg and Ireland over the next five years
  • Germany and France are predicted to see the highest levels of both deploying assets and acquiring assets by North American fund managers over the next two years

 

New research * from Ocorian, a global leader in fund administration, capital markets, corporate, trust, and regulatory and compliance services shows that North American fund managers are considering all European jurisdictions when it comes to fund administration, but it’s Luxembourg and Ireland which are currently most favoured and the most expected to achieve strong growth in the number of real asset funds serviced in the next five years.

The study with private equity, private debt, real estate, venture capital and infrastructure fund management executives in the US and Canada responsible for $1.591 trillion assets under management found the top three European jurisdictions currently being considered by North American fund managers are Luxembourg (53%), Ireland (45%) and Jersey (41%), followed by the UK (20%) and Guernsey (21%).

The top three reasons given by those selecting Ireland were its transparent tax regime (67%), cultural considerations and close ties to North America (53%) and the fact it was on a better time zone (53%). The top three reasons given by those selecting Luxembourg were because of its regulatory environment, which provides stability and investor protection (64%), the UCITs framework which allows funds to be marketed across Europe (55%) and its transparent tax regime (55%).

Ocorian’s study shows that growth is predicted across all of the major jurisdictions over the next five years, but again it’s Luxembourg and Ireland that are expected to have the highest increase in the number of real asset funds serviced over the next five years. Almost three out of four (73%) of those surveyed predict either strong growth or growth in these jurisdictions during this time period. This is followed by 68% predicting growth in Jersey, 56% predicting growth in Delaware and 49% predicting growth in Cayman Islands.

How North American fund managers see the number of real asset funds serviced in each jurisdiction changing over the next five years

Ocorian’s study reveals that it’s Germany (41%) followed by France (32%), Italy (26%) and the Netherlands (26%) which are the top European countries that North American fund managers will look to deploy assets in over the next two years. Similarly, Germany (45%) is the top European country that North American fund managers will look to acquire assets in over the next two years. This is followed by France (39%), Finland (24%) and Denmark (24%).

Thomas Fahl, Global Head of AIFM Services at Ocorian, said: “Our study shows that all major European jurisdictions are set to benefit from alternative fund managers in North America choosing to raise capital in Europe, but that it’s Luxembourg and Ireland which are currently the most favoured, with the opportunities provided by the European passport into the region. Long-standing cultural ties are also still important factors for North American fund managers choosing Ireland, while Luxembourg is set to reap the benefits of its stable regulatory environment and its extensive network of double taxation treaties.

“It’s clear that alternative fund managers in North America feel very positive about raising capital in Europe across all jurisdictions, and Ocorian is very well placed with the right skills, advice and support to help them navigate the administration and jurisdiction challenges to enable them to succeed in any country.”

About Ocorian Fund Services

Ocorian’s fund services team delivers operational excellence across fund administration, AIFM, depositary and accounting services to the world’s largest financial institutions along with dynamic start-up fund managers and boutique houses. Its team of over 300 funds specialists work across all major asset classes of alternative investment funds such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, debt and venture capital, whilst its specialist Islamic Finance team is a leading provider of Sharia-compliant investment structures.