Only the very fittest managers will survive

In the past year asset managers have been reeling from floods of redemptions and dwindling assets under management and are now in a battle for survival of the fittest. (PDF)

“Unprecedented levels of M&A activity are expected this year as a number of people are reassessing whether they want to remain in the asset management business. There will be fewer players in 2009,” says Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management.

Mr Gilbert has just contributed to industry consolidation with Aberdeen’s acquisition of Credit Suisse’s traditional fund management business in the past two weeks.