Trading is an integral and important behind the scenes component to asset management for Investment Advisors. The Broker-Dealers who provide these services often go unknown to the clients whose assets they trade; however, as keys to providing effective asset management services, their businesses should be highlighted to clients. In an effort to provide Minority, Women, Disabled and Veteran-owned (MWDV) Broker-Dealers with greater visibility and access to clients/service providers, we have developed BIC—the Broker-Dealer Information Center. BIC will provide participating Broker-Dealers with the ability to input their firm’s information, qualifications and services into an online database that can be searched by interested potential clients. Currently, there is no recognized central database that allows for searches of MWDV Broker-Dealers, BIC will allow asset managers, investors, consultants and legislators to have access to such firms. The goal of the database is to act as a resource and provide the following potential benefits to all participating parties:

• Increased utilization of Minority, Women and Disabled and Veteran-owned Broker-Dealers
• Access to information about participating Broker‐Dealers’ qualifications and services
• Exchange and review of selection criteria and expectations of Broker-Dealers between asset managers, institutional investors and consultants

We are hopeful that BIC will increase the visibility of the participating Broker-Dealers and ultimately lead to increased business opportunities. The overarching goal of BIC is to help close the opportunity gap and diminish the barriers to success experienced by MWDV Broker-Dealers.

• View Examples of Platform Search and Matching Functionalities

The FIS Group Research Institute will develop, host and support the BIC platform. The platform is currently under construction and those who have already registered will be notified of its completion. We encourage broker-dealers, asset managers, institutional investors and consultants to register (See link below to complete your registration). We envision the BIC database to be a collaborative initiative available at no cost to all those who wish to participate.

• The Broker‐Dealer ‐ An authorized representative of each participating Broker-Dealer will be responsible for registering its firm, maintaining its information, and reporting success associated with the utilization of the BIC database. Documentation of any success associated with their use of the BIC platform is encouraged There will also be an option for participating Broker‐Dealers to hide information they deem sensitive or confidential from general public access and allow for the review of such only by registered asset managers, institutional investors and consultants.


• The Asset Manager - If participation in the database search and posting capabilities is desired, an authorized representative of each participating Asset Manager will be responsible for registering its firm. The information required for registration will include the firm’s broker‐dealer selection requirements and expectations. Each registered Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the information for their firm is accurate and current. Documentation of any success associated with their use of the BIC platform is encouraged. There will be an option for registered Asset Managers to hide their names to avoid unwelcomed inquiries.


• The Institutional Investor and The Consultants - If participation in the database search and posting capabilities is desired, an authorized representative will have the ability to:
  
  
  (1) provide information regarding their Broker-Dealer policies and upload their lists of approved Broker-Dealers, if any;
  
  (2) notify their Asset Managers and Broker-Dealers of the BIC platform and encourage their participation and use of the database.
  
  
• Other Industry Participants - The BIC platform will be available as a resource to assist in gathering data for policy-making and act as a central database to identify and increase the utilization of MWDV Broker‐Dealers.

Information that can be queried by:

The Broker-Dealer

• Firm Information:
  • Contact information, including ownership structure
  • Registration information including insurance and capital levels
  • Firm narrative including organizational structures and relevant systems
• Broker Execution and Transition Management Capabilities:
  • Asset class expertise
  • Capabilities narrative
• Share Research (optional):
  • Post research reports
  • Receive peer review and ranking analysis reports

The Asset Manager

• Firm Information:
  • Basic contact information
  • Asset class expertise
  • Firm narrative
• Broker‐Dealer and Transition Management Selection Criteria and Requirements:
  • Asset class specific criteria, including reporting requirements
  • Selection process
  • On‐going requirements

The Institutional Investor and The Consultant

• Firm Information:
  • Contact information
  • Firm narrative
• Broker‐Dealer and Transition Management Selection Criteria and Requirements:
  • Asset class specific criteria, including reporting requirements
  • Selection process
  • On‐going requirements
  • Policy guidelines and requirements

Register With BIC Today!

“I believe MWBE broker-dealers have the capabilities and infrastructures to provide competitive execution. Providing them with a platform to create opportunities for the inclusion of the services they provide is crucial."
-McCullough Williams III, Chair - Advisory Board of the FIS Research Institute



“Great investment execution is a collaborative effort between the idea generator (the asset manager) and the executor (the broker-dealer). The development of the BIC platform is the first step in building such collaborations."
-Cesar J. Gonzales, Jr., CMFC, Director of Research and Publication for the FIS Research Institute