BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services, has been appointed by PGGM Vermogensbeheer B.V., the investment management arm of Dutch pension fund administrator PGGM, to provide depositary services under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) for assets valued at EUR14 billion.
In addition to safekeeping the funds’ assets, which are held within five fixed income investment funds, BNY Mellon will provide oversight functions and perform cash monitoring as required by AIFMD.
Based in Zeist in the Netherlands, PGGM provides pension management, integrated asset management, management support and policy advice for pension funds. PGGM manages about EUR160 billion assets (as at March 2014) on behalf of more than 2.5 million Dutch participants.
Leonique van Houwelingen, Country Executive for the Netherlands at BNY Mellon, said: “BNY Mellon’s local presence and expertise in the Netherlands, our proven depositary and trust capabilities in Europe, and the flexibility we can offer were all key factors in PGGM’s decision to appoint us as their AIFMD depositary.
“We are well-placed to provide comprehensive support for our clients as they prepare for the far-reaching changes that AIFMD will bring. In addition to new requirements around reporting, operational, technology and control infrastructures, the Directive mandates the segregation of risk management and valuation functions from portfolio management. Through our fully licensed Amsterdam branch, we are able to provide comprehensive depositary bank services in The Netherlands to ensure compliance before the final deadlines of each respective regulation.”
Van Houwelingen added: “BNY Mellon has maintained a substantial operational presence in the Netherlands over the years. We are committed to leading the way when it comes to supporting Dutch fund managers impacted by AIFMD. The depository bank function is already a key element of our regional offering, and we have a well-established and robust track record in this space in Belgium, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg.”
The new mandate extends BNY Mellon’s long-standing custodian relationship with PGGM. BNY Mellon currently services fund assets valued at EUR1 trillion and over 1,600 funds across the region.
Article 21 of AIFMD requires that an AIFM must ensure a single depositary is appointed for each alternative investment fund it manages. The depositary will handle the safekeeping of financial instruments and other assets; ensure proper and effective monitoring of the fund’s cash flows; carry out various monitoring and oversight tasks; and implement client reporting and escalation procedures to the manager and regulators in the event of breaches.
BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of December 31, 2013, BNY Mellon had $27.6 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $1.6 trillion in assets under management.