customhouse

+ information request The horrifying thing about MF Global is you can bring in someone with huge experience like John Corzine, who has seen what’s gone on in the past three years, and yet he goes in and completely fails to prevent what has become the biggest blow-up since Lehman’s – indeed, it has been suggested that he instigated the disastrous trade, says Dermot Butler (pictured), chairman, Custom House Global Fund Services… »

+ information request There has been a lot of comment in the media about the responsibilities and duties of hedge and alternative investment fund directors. Although the topic had been quite a high profile for several years, the Weavering judgement in the Caymans has focussed the minds of not only the Directors themselves, but also their attorneys and, of course, investors in the funds (predominantly institutional) who have been at the forefront of this movement, says Dermot Butler (pictured), chairman of Custom House Global Fund Services… »

Another draconian measure is set to grace the industry – FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), says Dermot Butler (pictured) chairman of Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd and Custom House Group. »

I have previously discussed some of the pitfalls of the Dodd-Frank Act. But aside from this, there have been thousands of words written concerning the excessive cost that will be imposed upon the industry in complying with all of the regulations introduced globally post-2008, says Dermot Butler (pictured), chairman of Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd and Custom House Group. Over and above the costs of putting in systems and training staff to handle these compliance issues, there will be huge legal costs... »

By Simon Gray - Malta's efforts to put itself on the map as a fund domicile and servicing centre within the European Union have been an undoubted success. Although fund numbers and aggregate assets are still low by comparison with its main competitors within the EU, Luxembourg and Ireland, over the past three years the Mediterranean island nation has forced itself to the attention of managers and promoters examining whether investor attitudes and the new global regulatory environment make it advisable to base at least part of their fund range onshore in Europe. »

Regulation must be 'targeted, appropriate and relevant', says Dermot Butler, chairman of Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd and Custom House Group… »

There’s a lot to be said about getting a fund administration location correct. Get it wrong and you can damage client relationships along with your reputation. Get it right, and growth opportunities can blossom, says Dermot Butler, chairman of Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd and Custom House Group. »

Custom House Global Fund Services has launched Phase Two of the CHARIOT Web Dealing platform, which breaks new ground in hedge fund administration practices. »

By Dermot Butler - It is ironic, but nonetheless a good thing, that many professional and institutional investors, led by the best of the Private Banks in Switzerland, gave an ultimatum, early in 2009, to many US hedge fund managers that they would no longer invest in their self-administered funds, unless they appointed an independent fund administrator, by the end of that year. I think it is fair to say that almost everywhere else in the world the self-administered fund was as rare as it was commonplace in the United States. »

Dermot Butler (pictured), Chairman, Custom House Group Fund Services, outlines some of the key exemptions for investment advisers under the Dodd-Frank rule. »