Proprietary Research Reports
News
2025
"Mercer Purchases $35B Investment Boutique," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Feb. 18, 2025
"CFA's New OCIO Guidance Gets Mixed Reviews," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Jan. 8, 2025
2024
"Endowments Expected to Help Drive the OCIO Industry to $4.2t by 2028," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Nov. 25, 2024
"Nokia Taps Mercer to Navigate Evolving Corporate Pensions," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Nov. 15, 2024
"What the Hightower/NEPC Deal Could Mean for Wealth Management and OCIOs," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Oct. 25, 2024
"OCIOs Under Pressure to Increase Fee Transparency," FundFire," by Sabiq Shahidullah McElhaney, Oct. 24, 2024
"The Obama Foundation is Outsourcing Investments," Institutional Investor," by Alicia McElhaney, Aug. 8, 2024
"The Returns Gap Between the Best and Worst OCIOs is the Largest in Years," Institutional Investor," by Alicia McElhaney, June 10, 2024
"Goldman Sachs Wins $43.4 Billion UPS Deal," Institutional Investor," by Alicia McElhaney, May 16, 2024
"Prospects for OCIOs Grew in 2023, but Scrutiny Remains," FundFire, by Sam Heller, Jan. 8, 2024
2023
"Mercer Buys Vanguard OCIO Unit," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Dec. 5, 2023
"CFA Develops Guidelines for OCIOs to Comply with GIPS," FundFire, by Sam Heller, Sept. 13, 2023
"Asset Manager OCIOs Face Conflict Questions from Search Consultants," FundFire, by Sam Heller, Apr. 17, 2023
2022
"In OCIO Space, Corporate Pensions Get Short End of Volatility Stick," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Dec. 28, 2022
"Endowments and Foundations See Losses in Early 2022 Numbers," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 11, 2022
"OCIOs Bet on ESG Know-How to Win Over Nonprofits," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 10, 2022
"CFA Rounds Up Working Group to Help Develop GIPS Standards for OCIOs," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, July 22, 2022
"Messy Fee Data Complicates OCIO Searches," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, June 17, 2022
"Is there any OCIO Model that is Conflict Free," Institutional Investor," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Apr. 14, 2022
"Endowments Hike Long-Term Return Targets Volatile Outlook," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Feb. 24, 2022
"Rise of OCIO Search Consultants Exerts Downward Pressure on Fees," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Jan. 27, 2022
2021
"OCIO Data to Power Peer Universe Tool for eVestment, Solovis Platforms," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Dec. 7, 2021
"OCIO Assets on Pace to Exceed $4T by 2026," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Nov. 23, 2021
"OCIO Market Booms as Investments Get More Complex," Institutional Investor, by Jessica Hamlin, Nov. 18, 2021
"Consultants Pledge to Start Reporting Internal Diversity Data," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Oct. 4, 2021
"Top Endowment & Foundation Returns Tower Over FY'21 Laggards," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Sep. 15, 2021
"Yale Chooses 36-Year-Old Endowment Insider for Next CIO," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 25, 2021
"Endowments and Foundations Look Set for 'Crazy' Returns Bonanza," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 16, 2021
"OCIO Rides Market Rebound to Big Growth," Pensions & Investments, by Christine Williamson, Jun. 28, 2021
"OCIO Searches Spike, Driven by Performance Dissatisfaction," FundFire, by Lisa Fu, May 10, 2021
"New OCIO Launches, Targeting Clients in Smaller End of E&F Market," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jan. 15, 2021
2020
"OCIOs Are Hungry for Nonprofit Business As Their Pension Client Base Matures," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Dec. 11, 2020
"For OCIO Providers, The Fee Pressure Is On," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Dec. 10, 2020
"Evestment to Offer Alpha Nasdaq OCIO Performance Data Through Platform," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 19, 2020
"Manager Diversity Is Increasingly Important for University Endowments," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Oct. 9, 2020
"'Clients Are Kind of Cringing': Why Insiders Say OCIO Marketing Needs to Change," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Jul. 31, 2020
"Consultant Heavyweights Took Millions in PPP Loans," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jul. 28, 2020
"OCIO Growth Assisted by Volatile Times," Pensions & Investments, by Christine Williamson, Jun. 29, 2020
"OCIOs Expect Pandemic-Fueled Client Boost, See First Spike in Activity," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jun. 30, 2020
"OCIO Firms Faltered During the First Quarter. But Institutions Still Want to Outsource," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Jun. 16, 2020
"Mercy Health Charity Hands $2B to a Donor's Secretive Family Office, Stunning Experts," Institutional Investor, by Leanna Orr, Jun. 5, 2020
"Alpha Capital Management Launches OCIO Indexes with Nasdaq," Pensions & Investments, by Christine Williamson, May 5, 2020
"An OCIO Performance Index Exists for the First Time. Here's How They Did," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Apr. 30, 2020
"How Search Consultants Weigh Potential Conflicts in the OCIO World," FundFire, by Lisa Fu, Feb. 18, 2020
"What Makes a Successful OCIO Pitch? A Growing List of Extra Services," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Feb. 12, 2020
2019
"As Search Firms Gain Momentum, OCIO Providers Need to Catch Up," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Dec. 19, 2019
"Ready or Not: the OCIO Benchmark is Coming," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 22, 2019
"Alpha Capital Joins with Nasdaq to Create OCIO Tools to Increase Transparency," Press Release, Nov. 21, 2019
"Amid Flood of RFPs, Details Can Make or Break a Deal," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 7, 2019
"TIAA Gives Up on OCIO Business in Surprise Move," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 6, 2019
"David Swensen is Great for Yale. Is He Horrible for Investing?" Institutional Investor, by Leanna Orr, Jul. 31, 2019
"Getting Married and Talking Divorce: Investors Prioritize OCIO Exit Strategies," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jun. 17, 2019
"Regions Bank to Acquire $26B Institutional Consultant," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jun. 10, 2019
"Early Converts Rethink OCIO Model," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, May 16, 2019
"Replacement Searches Surge as Inst'l investors Expect More from OCIOs," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Mar. 19, 2019
"How a Decade of Consolidation has Changed the Consultant Industry," FundFire, by Alana Pipe, Feb. 11, 2019
2018
"$28B OCIO Cuts Ties with PE, Gets New Owner," FundFire, by Mariana Lemann, Dec. 21, 2018
"GSAM to Expand OCIO, Advisory Biz with Rocaton Acquisition," FundFire, by Danielle Verbrigghe, Nov. 9, 2018
"Consultant OCIO Offerings Bring Conflict Concerns to Forefront," FundFire, by Fola Akinnibi, Sep. 12, 2018
"Cambridge Grows OCIO Assets 50% in Year Since Pivot from Consulting," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, May 17, 2018
2017
"Looking For a New Consultant? Here's What to Ask on the RFP," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Dec. 15, 2017
"New State Law Takes Aim at Consultant Conflicts, Diversity," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Nov. 22, 2017
"OCIO Shop's Endowment Clients Split on Commingled Structure," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Oct. 30, 2017
"Track Records Optional: Cambridge Searches for Untested Talent," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Oct. 25, 3017
"Regulators Put Consultant Conflicts in Crosshairs," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Sep. 21, 2017
"Conflicts Put OCIOs in Investor Crosshairs," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Jul. 27, 2017
Podcast
"The Widespread Impact of OCIO Growth," Pensions & Investments, Dec. 2, 2021
"How to Hire a Good Investment Consultant," Nonprofit Stewards Podcast, Bob DiMeo & Devon Francis, Feb 10, 2021
2025
"Mercer Purchases $35B Investment Boutique," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Feb. 18, 2025
"CFA's New OCIO Guidance Gets Mixed Reviews," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Jan. 8, 2025
2024
"Endowments Expected to Help Drive the OCIO Industry to $4.2t by 2028," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Nov. 25, 2024
"Nokia Taps Mercer to Navigate Evolving Corporate Pensions," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Nov. 15, 2024
"What the Hightower/NEPC Deal Could Mean for Wealth Management and OCIOs," Institutional Investor," by James Comtois, Oct. 25, 2024
"OCIOs Under Pressure to Increase Fee Transparency," FundFire," by Sabiq Shahidullah McElhaney, Oct. 24, 2024
"The Obama Foundation is Outsourcing Investments," Institutional Investor," by Alicia McElhaney, Aug. 8, 2024
"The Returns Gap Between the Best and Worst OCIOs is the Largest in Years," Institutional Investor," by Alicia McElhaney, June 10, 2024
"Goldman Sachs Wins $43.4 Billion UPS Deal," Institutional Investor," by Alicia McElhaney, May 16, 2024
"Prospects for OCIOs Grew in 2023, but Scrutiny Remains," FundFire, by Sam Heller, Jan. 8, 2024
2023
"Mercer Buys Vanguard OCIO Unit," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Dec. 5, 2023
"CFA Develops Guidelines for OCIOs to Comply with GIPS," FundFire, by Sam Heller, Sept. 13, 2023
"Asset Manager OCIOs Face Conflict Questions from Search Consultants," FundFire, by Sam Heller, Apr. 17, 2023
2022
"In OCIO Space, Corporate Pensions Get Short End of Volatility Stick," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Dec. 28, 2022
"Endowments and Foundations See Losses in Early 2022 Numbers," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 11, 2022
"OCIOs Bet on ESG Know-How to Win Over Nonprofits," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 10, 2022
"CFA Rounds Up Working Group to Help Develop GIPS Standards for OCIOs," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, July 22, 2022
"Messy Fee Data Complicates OCIO Searches," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, June 17, 2022
"Is there any OCIO Model that is Conflict Free," Institutional Investor," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Apr. 14, 2022
"Endowments Hike Long-Term Return Targets Volatile Outlook," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Feb. 24, 2022
"Rise of OCIO Search Consultants Exerts Downward Pressure on Fees," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Jan. 27, 2022
2021
"OCIO Data to Power Peer Universe Tool for eVestment, Solovis Platforms," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Dec. 7, 2021
"OCIO Assets on Pace to Exceed $4T by 2026," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Nov. 23, 2021
"OCIO Market Booms as Investments Get More Complex," Institutional Investor, by Jessica Hamlin, Nov. 18, 2021
"Consultants Pledge to Start Reporting Internal Diversity Data," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Oct. 4, 2021
"Top Endowment & Foundation Returns Tower Over FY'21 Laggards," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Sep. 15, 2021
"Yale Chooses 36-Year-Old Endowment Insider for Next CIO," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 25, 2021
"Endowments and Foundations Look Set for 'Crazy' Returns Bonanza," FundFire, by Justin Mitchell, Aug. 16, 2021
"OCIO Rides Market Rebound to Big Growth," Pensions & Investments, by Christine Williamson, Jun. 28, 2021
"OCIO Searches Spike, Driven by Performance Dissatisfaction," FundFire, by Lisa Fu, May 10, 2021
"New OCIO Launches, Targeting Clients in Smaller End of E&F Market," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jan. 15, 2021
2020
"OCIOs Are Hungry for Nonprofit Business As Their Pension Client Base Matures," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Dec. 11, 2020
"For OCIO Providers, The Fee Pressure Is On," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Dec. 10, 2020
"Evestment to Offer Alpha Nasdaq OCIO Performance Data Through Platform," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 19, 2020
"Manager Diversity Is Increasingly Important for University Endowments," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Oct. 9, 2020
"'Clients Are Kind of Cringing': Why Insiders Say OCIO Marketing Needs to Change," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Jul. 31, 2020
"Consultant Heavyweights Took Millions in PPP Loans," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jul. 28, 2020
"OCIO Growth Assisted by Volatile Times," Pensions & Investments, by Christine Williamson, Jun. 29, 2020
"OCIOs Expect Pandemic-Fueled Client Boost, See First Spike in Activity," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jun. 30, 2020
"OCIO Firms Faltered During the First Quarter. But Institutions Still Want to Outsource," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Jun. 16, 2020
"Mercy Health Charity Hands $2B to a Donor's Secretive Family Office, Stunning Experts," Institutional Investor, by Leanna Orr, Jun. 5, 2020
"Alpha Capital Management Launches OCIO Indexes with Nasdaq," Pensions & Investments, by Christine Williamson, May 5, 2020
"An OCIO Performance Index Exists for the First Time. Here's How They Did," Institutional Investor, by Alicia McElhaney, Apr. 30, 2020
"How Search Consultants Weigh Potential Conflicts in the OCIO World," FundFire, by Lisa Fu, Feb. 18, 2020
"What Makes a Successful OCIO Pitch? A Growing List of Extra Services," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Feb. 12, 2020
2019
"As Search Firms Gain Momentum, OCIO Providers Need to Catch Up," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Dec. 19, 2019
"Ready or Not: the OCIO Benchmark is Coming," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 22, 2019
"Alpha Capital Joins with Nasdaq to Create OCIO Tools to Increase Transparency," Press Release, Nov. 21, 2019
"Amid Flood of RFPs, Details Can Make or Break a Deal," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 7, 2019
"TIAA Gives Up on OCIO Business in Surprise Move," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Nov. 6, 2019
"David Swensen is Great for Yale. Is He Horrible for Investing?" Institutional Investor, by Leanna Orr, Jul. 31, 2019
"Getting Married and Talking Divorce: Investors Prioritize OCIO Exit Strategies," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jun. 17, 2019
"Regions Bank to Acquire $26B Institutional Consultant," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Jun. 10, 2019
"Early Converts Rethink OCIO Model," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, May 16, 2019
"Replacement Searches Surge as Inst'l investors Expect More from OCIOs," FundFire, by Aziza Kasumov, Mar. 19, 2019
"How a Decade of Consolidation has Changed the Consultant Industry," FundFire, by Alana Pipe, Feb. 11, 2019
2018
"$28B OCIO Cuts Ties with PE, Gets New Owner," FundFire, by Mariana Lemann, Dec. 21, 2018
"GSAM to Expand OCIO, Advisory Biz with Rocaton Acquisition," FundFire, by Danielle Verbrigghe, Nov. 9, 2018
"Consultant OCIO Offerings Bring Conflict Concerns to Forefront," FundFire, by Fola Akinnibi, Sep. 12, 2018
"Cambridge Grows OCIO Assets 50% in Year Since Pivot from Consulting," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, May 17, 2018
2017
"Looking For a New Consultant? Here's What to Ask on the RFP," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Dec. 15, 2017
"New State Law Takes Aim at Consultant Conflicts, Diversity," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Nov. 22, 2017
"OCIO Shop's Endowment Clients Split on Commingled Structure," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Oct. 30, 2017
"Track Records Optional: Cambridge Searches for Untested Talent," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Oct. 25, 3017
"Regulators Put Consultant Conflicts in Crosshairs," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Sep. 21, 2017
"Conflicts Put OCIOs in Investor Crosshairs," FundFire, by Alyson Velati, Jul. 27, 2017
Podcast
"The Widespread Impact of OCIO Growth," Pensions & Investments, Dec. 2, 2021
"How to Hire a Good Investment Consultant," Nonprofit Stewards Podcast, Bob DiMeo & Devon Francis, Feb 10, 2021