Asset & Resource Management leads west African market with HiPortfolio, HiTrust

DST International (DSTi) - the leader in business solutions for the investment management industry and business process management, announces that Asset & Resource Management Company (ARM) - a specialised investment management firm based in Lagos, Nigeria - has signed for HiPortfolio/3, DSTi`s back-office solution and HiTrust, DSTi`s unit trust system.

Nike Ogunlana, Senior Vice-President at ARM, said: "In order to maintain our position as a market leader in the west African financial market, we require the `best of breed` technological support systems that enable us to actively trade in global equity and fixed income instruments. Our investors require diversified global investments, and HiPortfolio/3 is flexible in nature and transcends currency borders with multi-instrument capabilities."

Ogunlana continued: "With HiTrust, ARM has acquired a product with a low cost of ownership to help compensate for changes in the demanding west African market."

ARM was established in 1994 as a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. and is presently one of the leading providers of financial advisory and asset management services in west Africa.

Marisa Bellini, Director at DSTi South Africa (Pty) Ltd, said: "DSTi and ARM have enjoyed a relationship since 1997. ARM has chosen HiPortfolio/3 as it offers them a competitive advantage in their niche market. DSTi has developed and adapted HiTrust to support business practices in diverse markets such as Africa and Australasia.

She added: "HiTrust was designed for and used by: unit trust registrars, record keepers and administrators, fund managers, fund distributors selling their own products and those of other companies. DSTi`s South African office continues to service the increasingly sophisticated African market and we are delighted with the long-term relationship we have with ARM."