Clients - HedgeGuard

Guillaume Dermer, Chief Risk Officer & COO, Metori

« HedgeGuard brought a unique combination of PMS and middle-office services that perfectly complements our operations. »

How would you describe the relationship you have built with HedgeGuard?

HedgeGuard has been a longstanding partner since the very beginning of the Metori adventure. Beyond the technical solutions brought by HedgeGuard, we engaged as we felt you shared common values and specifically a DNA centered around advanced technology.

Why did you select HedgeGuard among the various options you were considering at that time?

Obviously, there are numerous PMS vendors in the market but HedgeGuard was the only one covering all of our requirements. We specifically required a Portfolio Management System (PMS) capable of managing assets and liabilities but we also wanted to externalize middle-office services. Bottomline, we were looking for a complete solution. In addition, HedgeGuard was willing to address and implement some of our specific needs.

What are the key benefits and advantages brought by HedgeGuard solutions?

First of all, it is important to understand how HedgeGuard solutions fit into our organization. We use HedgeGuard PMS and specifically for book-keeping, monitoring of NAVs and post-trade compliance rules. HedgeGuard also provide aggregated views of all the data related to our trading operations which makes our processes much simpler. This way, thanks to HedgeGuard, we offload a he quantity of processing, manipulation and consolidation tasks. In order to achieve this, HedgeGuard specialists are involved on a daily basis on our operations.

The complete set-up proposed by HedgeGuard translates into significant gains in terms of productivity for us. Working with HedgeGuard also means having access to an expertise over the whole workflow and also being able to size operations in line with our business requirements.

How would you define the working relationship with HedgeGuard?

HedgeGuard teams are highly motivated, responsive and agile. Our partner constantly demonstrates an ability to address specific requirements. For instance, we expressed needs to implement views in transparency mode or specific in-house compliance rules which were integrated seamlessly into the solution. Working with HedgeGuard also means to exchange with experts who work hand-in-hand with us as we grow.

Would you recommend HedgeGuard solutions and services?

Based on the previous points I made, obviously! We are extremely satisfied with the quality of service delivered by HedgeGuard who remains a trusted partner.

Guillaume Dermer, Chief Risk Officer & COO, Metori
Metori Capital Management is an Asset Management company specialized in quantitative asset management.

Philippe Farhi, LFPI Asset Management

« In 7 years, we have built a true partnership with HedgeGuard around a comprehensive solution »

When did you first engage with HedgeGuard?

In 2012, when LFPI Asset Management was set-up, we were putting our organization in place and had to identify a PMS platform, but we also needed middle-office services. HedgeGuard was very flexible and paying attention to our expectations consisting in a complete set-up. We engaged quickly. HedgeGuard gave us the opportunity to be part of the definition and implementation of the bond management side of the solution, which was our primary focus. In addition, I believe we have been one of the first users of HedgeGuard’s middle-office services.

What are the key characteristics and advantages of HedgeGuard solutions and how do they translate into your daily operations?

First of all, it is important to note that HedgeGuard solution is robust. Our needs are almost completely covered. On a daily basis, we can monitor and analyze our portfolio in real time: analysis by rating, by sector, by country or performance contribution. Also, very important for us is the reporting module; this is highly convenient for us. We do appreciate specifically the accuracy and the very small gaps we observe.

Generally speaking, HedgeGuard is a productivity tool combining accuracy, ease-of-use and agility.

What is the added value of a combination of a PMS together with middle-office services?

The middle-office service in completely integrated into HedgeGuard’s offering and very well structured. We work on a daily basis with HedgeGuard teams; they are experts on middle-office functions but also on the platform. A tool needs to be maintained in order to secure the processes; otherwise, there’s room for major issues. The fact that the middle-office services are integrated in a consistent set-up and a comprehensive offering creates a virtuous circle: the middle-office experts can contribute to the tool evolution and, this way the platform better serves daily operations.

How would you qualify your working relationship with HedgeGuard?

We are definitely satisfied with the complete set-up and the quality of the teams from HedgeGuard. I consider we have been working in a true partnership mode for now more that 7 years. Based on what we achieved together, we really feel we contribute to the development and the optimization of the proposed set-up and offering.

In which terms would you recommend HedgeGuard?

I would primarily recommend HedgeGuard for their flexibility, agility and the easy-of-use of their solutions, the quality of their teams and also for the compromise cost-results.

Philippe Farhi, Chariman, LFPI Asset Management

LFPI Asset Management is an asset management company, approved by the Financial Markets Authority . With its experienced team, LFPI Asset Management provides investment management services oriented towards regular performances, regardless of the volatility of the markets, from a narrow range of differentiated strategies: Short Term Credit - Action Sub-Saharan Africa - Diversified Management

Carlo Virzi, Erasmus Gestion

«HedgeGuard combines PMS with expert middle-office services and always strives to do things well. »

Can you describe the reasons why you initially engaged with HedgeGuard?

When Erasmus Gestion was created back in 2013, our rationale was to externalize middle-office operations and we had to select a partner. HedgeGuard proposed not only the service combined with a PMS platform but also showed great interest in our project and demonstrated flexibility. The solutions did fit our requirements and we were convinced we were aligned from a strategic standpoint on the future evolutions. HedgeGuard was committed to deliver a package of services while addressing our specific requirements in terms of integration and data accuracy. At that time, it was also very important to us to have clear visibility on cost which HedgeGuard provided.

What are the key characteristics resulting from HedgeGuard’s solutions and services?

What we expect from a PMS is the capability to manage correct and precise information with the most accurate front-office view. HedgeGuard’s solution is robust and reliable which allows us to focus on our strategies with peace of mind. The second main point resides in the quality of our relationship and exchanges with the middle-office teams.

Can you elaborate more on the middle-office services provided by HedgeGuard?

Middle-office functions require accuracy and rigor. HedgeGuard teams consist of experts and pay close attention to our operations. We deal with experts in processes but also in the PMS platform. They are extremely responsive. From our prospective, externalizing middle-office services in such conditions is a no-brainer: we rely on HedgeGuard teams who can deliver a constant quality of service.

What is the most important value demonstrated by HedgeGuard?

HedgeGuard constantly strives to do things well at all levels. This translates into an ability to listen and also a lot of flexibility and answers to our specific requirements.

Carlo Virzi, Corporate Secretary & CFO, Erasmus Gestion

Erasmus Gestion is an asset management company, focused on investing in European equities, with one and only one business: investment. Erasmus management is for all types of clients - Wealth management advisers and individuals, Family Offices, Banks, Insurances, Mutuals and other Institutional Investors – and displays products with a single purpose, the best performance in a controlled risk environment with a humanistic, non-aggressive and non-speculative approach.