The 'Ireland Fund Services in Focus 2020' special report comprises seven separate articles listed below, these can be read individually or as a sequence.

IRELAND FUND SERVICES

Ireland Fund Services in Focus - Foreword

Ireland Fund Services in Focus - Foreword

With the profound impacts of Covid-19 continuing to reverberate around the world, it is notable how robust the funds industry has been during the last six months. In Ireland, like elsewhere, significant redemptions were registered in March as investors sought to reduce risk and increase liquidity.

Story

Growth and substance in troubled times

Growth and substance in troubled times

By A Paris – The Irish funds industry has demonstrated its resilience as it continues to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic with its head held high. Despite the global market turbulence, Ireland continued to benefit from the Brexit fallout as large global managers chose to open operations in the jurisdiction and Ireland’s commitment to ESG growth is sustained.

NON-TRANSPARENT ETFS

Is the case for European “non-transparent” active exchange traded funds gathering pace?

Is the case for European “non-transparent” active exchange traded funds gathering pace?

By Shane Coveney, Dillon Eustace – As European exchange traded products gather a greater share of asset flows and surpass USD1 trillion in assets under management, the industry’s appetite for new and innovative products continues to develop at a greater pace than ever. Historically, fragmentation in the European market has been a significant obstacle, leading to slow growth in the exchange traded fund (ETF) market in Europe.

CORONAVIRUS

How did the investment fund industry stand up during the Covid-19 crisis?

How did the investment fund industry stand up during the Covid-19 crisis?

By Kieran Fox, Irish Funds – We are all well aware of the human and public health cost which Covid-19 has had since March of this year when its impact reverberated around the globe. Although general consensus is that we still have some way to go until there is a vaccine or other resolution to the pandemic, central banks and regulators are now beginning to look into the effect the crisis had on capital markets during the early days of its impact and seeking to learn lessons from this. 

PRIVATE FUNDS

Private funds on the Irish horizon

Private funds on the Irish horizon

The Irish funds industry may have some catching up to do in the private funds space, but as the government gears up to introduce a refreshed Investment Limited Partnerships Act, the jurisdiction is expected to see an influx of managers from the UK, the US and further afield choosing to set up their private funds in Ireland.