Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO): Unlocking the Potential of Enhanced Governance, Reduced Volatility, Risk Mitigation, and Cost Savings

In today’s complex financial landscape, institutional investors and organizations are looking for ways to optimize their investment management. One option that is gaining popularity is outsourcing the chief investment officer (CIO) function to an OCIO provider.

What are the benefits of an OCIO?

OCIO stands for Outsourced Chief Investment Officer. It’s when an organization outsources its investment management to a third party, like an asset management firm or investment consultant. This can have many benefits, including:

  • Reduced costs: Negotiate better fees with investment managers, which can save you money.
  • Increased expertise: Access to a wider range of investment expertise than most organizations, which can help you improve your investment performance.
  • Improved governance: Establish and maintain a strong investment governance framework, which can help you meet your fiduciary obligations.
  • Freed up resources: Take over the day-to-day management of your investments, which can free up your time and resources to focus on other things.

How to choose the right OCIO provider for your organization?

Here are some things to consider when choosing an OCIO provider:

  • Expertise: Make sure the provider has a team of experienced investment professionals who can understand your organization’s needs and goals.
  • Access to investment strategies: The provider should have access to a wide range of investment styles, so you can choose the ones that are right for your portfolio.
  • Risk management: The provider should have a strong risk management system in place to help you manage your portfolio’s risks.
  • Service: The provider should offer a high level of service and support.
  • Once you’ve considered these factors, you can start comparing different OCIO providers.

How OCIO can help reduce volatility?

Outsourcing your CIO function to an OCIO provider can help you reduce volatility and improve funded status. This is especially important for corporate pension plans, which can face larger, unexpected contribution requirements if their plan’s funding drops below a certain level.

Skilled OCIO providers have the expertise and resources to help you manage your plan’s volatility and improve its funded status. They can do this by:

  • Selecting and monitoring investment strategies who can help you achieve your investment goals while minimizing volatility.
  • Providing you with real-time visibility into your plan’s performance, so you can make informed decisions about your investment strategy.
  • Helping you comply with applicable regulations, which can help to protect your plan’s assets.

If you are considering outsourcing your CIO function to an OCIO provider, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • Select the right provider: Not all OCIO providers are created equal. It is important to select a provider that has the experience, expertise, and resources to meet your organization’s specific needs.
  • Understand the fees: OCIO providers typically charge fees for their services. It is important to understand these fees before you make a decision.
  • Get everything in writing: Before you sign any contracts with an OCIO provider, make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. This will help to protect your organization’s interests.

Here are some questions to ask when you’re comparing providers:

What are your fees?
What services do you offer?
How do you manage risk?
What is your investment philosophy?
What is your track record?
By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of each provider and choose the one that’s right for your organization.

Outsourcing your CIO function to an OCIO provider can be a great way to enhance your investment management. By working with a qualified provider, you can improve your governance, reduce your volatility, mitigate your risks, and save money.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you optimize your investment management.