Fund distribution is changing. A number of “global gorillas” are expanding through acquisition to dominate the cross-border space while other banks look to dominate their domestic markets. But does this benefit investors?

The bulk of Principal Global Investors’ future growth will come from HNW individuals, says Nick Lyster who runs the US firm’s European operations, with private banks’ renewed appetite for sub-advisory partners a prime target

MFS has become one of the fastest growing asset managers, spreading out from its US heartlands into Europe and beyond. But its distribution chiefs admit more could be done to bolster the firm’s brand

Natixis is keen to expand away from its US and French heartlands, says distribution chief Matt Shafer, and hopes its multi-affiliate model will find favour in Asia and the UK

Amundi CEO Yves Perrier prides himself on having instilled a highly efficient culture at the French firm, but regrets missing out on the purchase of Pioneer’s funds arm

Nervous investors are wary of making the jump from bonds to equities, says La Française’s Patrick Rivière, but regular dividend payouts and exposure to emerging markets can help settle nerves

Private banks following the guided architecture approach face a number of challenges when selecting fund groups, but both sides must be fully transparent and work together if the relationship is to prosper

Italian fund houses are used to having free rein in their domestic market, but international firms are now a growing presence in the country. Yet both sides stand to benefit if they partner together