By Simon Gray – The impact of the global financial crisis and economic downturn upon the alternative fund industry is reflected in a more difficult fundraising environment and new challenges for managers such as greater regulation and increased investor demands for transparency, according to leading providers of administration, legal and brokerage services to funds and their managers.  These developments have led to a shift from standardised products and industrialised processes toward greater service flexibility and customisation, the firms say. Off-the-shelf structures are frequently giving way to individualised investment solutions; service providers are moving away from centralised, often ‘offshored’ operations in

Folio Administrators has launched a new multi-lingual operation in Panama City, Panama.   Folio Administrators Limited provides fund administration to alternative investment funds, establishes and manages offshore and captive companies and other insurance related vehicles, across a range of jurisdictions and also offers a professional Director Services Company, Fiduciary Group Limited.

RBC Dexia’s latest survey, undertaken in conjunction with the global consulting firm KPMG, analyses the key domiciliation and redomiciliation strategies adopted by fund managers within the global hedge fund industry, techniques they selected and factors behind their decisions. While hedge funds have traditionally been viewed as offshore products, the development of more regulated onshore alternatives in EU centres such as Luxembourg and Ireland has spurred new interest in onshore fund solutions. In turn, a number of managers have redomiciled their existing hedge funds, launched new hedge funds onshore or co-domiciled their fund ranges. The growing popularity and increased investment flexibility