Cutter worked with project stakeholders to understand existing processes and pain points in their current operating environment. Cutter then worked with their custodian to understand their perspectives on the current state, discuss operational inefficiencies in current service usage and identify capabilities not currently being used.
The client was provided with preferred industry practices and governing principles related to outsourcing. With this as a backdrop, Cutter conducted a current state assessment of the different functions in scope, with specific emphasis on services within the scope of the custodian’s service capabilities.
Cutter then worked with client and custodian to develop specific recommendations for operating model improvements based on the current state assessment findings, and Cutter’s view of the best practice operating model. Cutter outlined functions/areas where custodian services are appropriate and in-line with leading Industry practices. For certain services, Cutter designed a high-level workflow and outlined data management and vendor oversight recommendations.
Lastly, Cutter provided a prioritized set of initiatives that each party would need to take to more effectively utilize the recommended services from the custodian. In addition, Cutter provided guiding principles on the usage of other vendor solutions that would be more consistent with the strategy of leveraging the custodian more.
Over the years, the Superfund had requested additional services that had generally been accommodated by the custodian, even though, at times, the services did not align within the normal scope of offerings. This had resulted in sub-optimal solutions and inefficiencies in some areas. As a result of the Cutter engagement, our client got a clear picture of what services were aligned with leading industry practices and were a natural fit for the custodian to undertake. Additionally, the custodian benefited from greater clarity on areas that they need to invest in to better service the Fund (and other clients with similar requirements).
Finally, the Fund also received specific recommendations in specific areas of investment processing for solutions which fell outside of the custodian’s scope.
