Deutsche Asset Management has announced it is to absorb the cost of external research for clients under the new MiFID II directive, which will take effect in 2018. Deutsche AM’s clients will therefore not be burdened with additional costs.

The directive prescribes that banks, brokers, and trading firms must invoice buy-side investors separately for the research they provide. The fund managers in turn can choose either to allocate these research costs to their funds and mandates, i.e. their clients, or to absorb the costs themselves.

Nicolas Moreau, head of Deutsche Asset Management and member of the Management Board of Deutsche Bank, wrote in an email to all Deutsche Asset Management staff on September 14:

“Deutsche Asset Management will absorb the cost of external research for funds under the new MiFID II directive. We strongly believe that our approach is the best possible solution to the requirements of the new directive and that it will allow us to remain fully committed to delivering market-leading solutions to our clients.”

Moreau further notes that Deutsche AM’s investment approach – built on the expertise of in-house investment professionals – would remain untouched.

Additionally, Deutsche AM says it will continue to purchase high quality external research to ensure its fund managers have all necessary means for their investment processes. To this end, Deutsche AM will negotiate with its third-party research providers to optimize costs.

Photo: Deutsche Bank Flickr.