Asset managers find due diligence solution in virtual realm

But face-to-face interaction still key to rapport with investors and between new staff

Published Mon, Jun 22, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

ASSET managers are turning to new ways to raise funds to get around travel bans, and hosting virtual due diligence sessions with investors in place of face-to-face meetings.

Even as physical meetings with clients are allowed from this Friday as Singapore moves into Phase 2 of the its economic reopening, some of the practices adopted during the "circuit breaker" and Phase 1 periods may continue to be the order of the day.

Chauwei Yak, co-founder of local boutique investment firm Gao Capital, said the firm's clients are starting to see how much can be done without actual face-to-face meetings.

"In-person meetings have been replaced by Zoom or Google Meets, and we find it more productive because we can have clients talk to the fund manager, go straight into discussing positions that have work…