Calastone brings new level of automation to Class B funds with introduction of CDSC solution in Taiwan

• Calastone's Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) solution digitalises the record of investor holdings and automates the calculation process for transfer agents creating efficiencies and cost savings for asset managers
  
• New registry technology complements traditional transfer agent technology with added benefits providing end-to-end automation and supporting scale
  
• First solution to automate Class B Share mutual fund deployment sees early-adoption in Taiwan as Calastone continues to extend its service offering in the market

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 14 June 2023 - Calastone, the largest global funds network, today announces the introduction of its Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) solution. The new CDSC solution is built using the technology enabled by Calastone's Distributed Market Infrastructure (DMI).

CDSC funds (for example, Class B Share funds) are known for reducing market volatility as investors are incentivised with reduced fees if they retain their investments for longer. In Taiwan alone, the number of Class B Shares has grown 98% since 2017[1] as the Financial Supervisory Commission continues to incentivise investment into these funds.

However, the benefits of Class B Share funds have been typically overshadowed by the complex processes required to administer them. Until now, asset managers have not had a digital, accurate, or real-time view of investor holding periods. Similarly, transfer agents have relied on an inefficient, costly and manual process to collect information and accurately calculate the fee charges, as they have not had a clear view of the investment holding periods.

Calastone's CDSC solution is the first digital solution that enables asset managers with end-to-end automation by creating a shadow register of the client holdings that can be easily accessed by both asset managers and transfer agents.

This unique offering also leverages the open microservice architecture of the DMI. The solutions uses several components of its Fund Services product suite – including Connectivity, Register, and Fees, Costs & Charges.

Justin Christopher, Managing Director, Head of Asia at Calastone, said:

"Despite the benefits that Class B Share funds present, the traditional model for distributing them has been very manual and expensive. Calastone CDSC is the first digital and automated solution that provides an efficient, cost effective, and scalable way for asset managers to distribute Class B Share funds, and enables transfer agents to support their asset management clients more effectively at scale. The solution will enable asset managers to launch and operate Class B Share funds with ease whilst reducing frictional costs and operational risk.

We are thrilled to see early adoption in Taiwan from one of our leading clients. Taiwan is a unique, rapidly evolving market and we continue to expand our presence in the region. Following the successful launch of the solution in Taiwan, we look forward to supporting more asset managers and investors in Asia with launching CDSC funds in an automated and scalable way."