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Increased M&A Activity
Mergers and acquisitions activity is reshaping the financial services landscape, globally. Asset managers, wealth platforms, and alternative strategy providers are pursuing acquisitions to expand capabilities, diversify offerings, and achieve scale. These transactions, however, introduce integration, oversight, and regulatory complexities that demand expert guidance.
Key Market Drivers
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by several key trends:
- Strategic consolidation for growth: 73% of asset managers are considering acquisitions to access new segments, build market share, and mitigate risk.
- Expansion into alternatives: Increased acquisition of alternative and private fund strategy managers—including private credit—reflects demand for differentiated investment opportunities.
- Diversification of strategies: Pairing diverse strategies with mutual fund distribution models significantly increases operational complexity and risk.
- Innovation in liquidity: Launching “liquid alt” products under the ’40 Act framework signals a push to make alternative investments more accessible.
- Heightened risk environment: Greater complexity amplifies oversight needs across compliance, cybersecurity, ESG, and vendor management.
- Active oversight by regulatory bodies globally: Various regulatory agencies have been contacting industry participants via frequent information requests.
Signals to Watch
- Surge in alternative strategies and private credit acquisitions
- Growth in liquid alternative products
- Operational, timing, and resourcing strain on parent entities post-close
- Increased risk oversight requirements for operational resilience, cyber, ESG, and vendor management
Our Solutions
ACA delivers end-to-end support across the M&A lifecycle, combining deep expertise with scalable solutions to address the most pressing challenges:
Pre- and Post-Close Diligence
Comprehensive assessments leveraging ACA’s expertise in:
- Compliance: Ensuring regulatory alignment across pre- and post-transaction diligence, with jurisdictional support covering the U.S., UK and UAE
- Investment erformance: Portability assessments and Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®) compliance
- Cybersecurity and rivacy: Mitigating data and operational risks
- ESG oversight: Integrating sustainability standards into due diligence
Investment Performance Portability
ACA helps firms maintain performance integrity when transitioning portfolios or merging reporting systems through investment performance services, including GIPS compliance, and performance reviews.
Liquidity and Product Innovation
Support for launching liquid alternative ’40 Act products, and navigating cross-border fund registration and marketing requirements across the U.S., UK, EU and UAE.
Scalable Outsourcing and Staff Augmentation
Fill critical gaps during integration or manage resource strain with short- or long-term staff augmentation, and centralize functions for performance reporting, compliance, and vendor management to reduce duplication and cost.
Risk Management and Vendor Consolidation
We offer ongoing risk oversight providing continuous monitoring of compliance, operational resilience, cyber, and ESG risks across affiliates while streamlining vendor relationships to improve efficiency and reduce operational complexity.
Tailored Expertise
Our customized solutions for each unique asset class and client profile, ensuring strategies remain informed, compliant, and scalable.
What You’ll Gain with ACA
ACA helps firms:
- Mitigate risk imposed on existing teams by newly acquired businesses
- Manage resource strain through outsourcing and shared services
- Cost and risk management via vendor consolidation
- Access unique expertise from a single trusted partner
- Enable efficient, compliant go-to-market strategies for new products and acquisitions
Learn how ACA supports firms through every stage of M&A.
