Alternative Investment Exchange (AIX), an alternative investment technology firm that makes it easier for wealth managers and fund sponsors to do business in alternatives, announced the development of a direct data connection with UMB Fund Services (UMB), a national leader in registered and alternative investment fund administration.  The direct data connection was developed with UMB that enables AIX to digitally transmit subscriptions and new accounts without costly manual intervention and reliance on paper-based processes.

“Alternative investments have always required a high degree of manual intervention. Paper documents, wet signatures, and PDF documents that must be re-keyed made it especially challenging to automate processes such as opening accounts and onboarding new customers,” explained AIX’s COO, Brad West. “With true digital, straight-through processing, AIX can move data seamlessly to UMB, minimizing NIGOs, reducing its administrative headaches, and eliminating unnecessary back-office costs.”

During the height of the pandemic and despite quarantine orders, many paper-reliant fund administrators were forced to keep offices open so that redemption requests could be processed, and compliance requirements were met. This underscored the inefficiencies of paper, and the liability risk for having business processes tied to such antiquated practices.

“UMB is committed to adopting the latest technology to enhance customer experience and support our growth,” explained Mike Huisman, SVP, Director of Transfer Agency at UMB Fund Services. “The pandemic accelerated our path in leveraging technology to automate our business, create efficiencies, and address risk and liability issues tied to paper and manual processes. Our vision, which has been realized by integrating with AIX, was to automate the subscription, maintenance, transfer, and redemption processes of alternative investments.”

Unlike other tools that only mimic a paper process by enabling e-signature and sending PDFs, AIX enables data flow across and into backend systems. The standard is data, seamlessly flowing across all parties, creating efficiency and transparency, all while reducing risk.

“Committing to this standard delivers an entirely different level of impact and experience. Automating backend manual processes through data connectivity removes friction felt by all involved, but is only fully appreciated by those that must otherwise manually stitch steps together,” explained West. “Partnering with UMB to create authentic data connections truly changes the game. We are experiencing low NIGO rates and enhanced compliance while advisors tell us they do not want to do business any other way. Everyone wins.”