Is RDR the fund industry's Big Bang?

RDR

Simon Ellis, principal of Strategies in Asset Management, analyses the impact of tumbling fund charges and the unanticipated shocks RDR has had on the fund management industry over the past year.

Following Bonfire Night last week, it seems strangely appropriate to reflect on the impact of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) on the retail funds industry. The question to ask is, is RDR the fund industry’s version of the Big Bang? For starters, it is clear power in the value chain has now shifted irrevocably from providers, to distributors and advisor firms. In addition, the battle line for margins within the value chain have now been drawn up. The short-term situation is noisy and confused. But the forces in play now, will cause greater long-term change than many have anticipated....