R.V. Kuhns & Associates, Inc. - Custody Evaluation

We evaluate custodial banks based on the services required by a client and the best cost available for providing those services. Our evaluation is conducted through an in-depth questionnaire and a request for fee proposal, which we summarize into a search report for the client.

We have expertise in creating custodial contracts that tie the custodian's compensation to the actual level of service rendered and have found that such contracts dramatically increase the level of service provided by custodians to plan sponsors.

Our pioneering Compliance-Trak system provides for accurate, real-time monitoring and reporting of custodial banks' accuracy, service level, and responsiveness to the client. During the course of custodial searches over the years, R.V. Kuhns & Associates has gained significant perspective of both the traditional and emerging services provided by custodial banks. Frequently, we have found that beyond an initial evaluation of the custodial bank’s capabilities, actual performance (both timeliness and accuracy) of such activities is lacking in an ongoing evaluation of the custodial bank and its service team. We have worked with clients to develop monitoring criteria and a service-delivery tracking tool to enable an objective assessment to be made of actual custodial performance.

Most custodians have their own internal systems to track deliverables but are reluctant or unable to share real-time access to them with clients. The RVK value-added solution is to review contractual obligations and work with both the plan sponsor and custodian to develop a meaningful and objective set of service standards for periodic evaluation. Once the key elements of service delivery are identified, they can be input and readily tracked on a custom application we have developed to deliver ready access to service delivery information. This information has been used to provide objective figures for custodial reviews and in certain instances, has allowed limited performance-based compensation to be awarded.


		Custody Evaluation We evaluate custodial banks based on the services required by a client and the best cost available for providing those services. Our evaluation is conducted through an in-depth questionnaire and a request for fee proposal, which we summarize into a search report for the client. We have expertise in creating custodial contracts that tie the custodian's compensation to the actual level of service rendered and have found that such contracts dramatically increase the level of service provided by custodians to plan sponsors. Our pioneering Compliance-Trak system provides for accurate, real-time monitoring and reporting of custodial banks' accuracy, service level, and responsiveness to the client. During the course of custodial searches over the years, R.V. Kuhns & Associates has gained significant perspective of both the traditional and emerging services provided by custodial banks. Frequently, we have found that beyond an initial evaluation of the custodial bank’s capabilities, actual performance (both timeliness and accuracy) of such activities is lacking in an ongoing evaluation of the custodial bank and its service team. We have worked with clients to develop monitoring criteria and a service-delivery tracking tool to enable an objective assessment to be made of actual custodial performance. Most custodians have their own internal systems to track deliverables but are reluctant or unable to share real-time access to them with clients. The RVK value-added solution is to review contractual obligations and work with both the plan sponsor and custodian to develop a meaningful and objective set of service standards for periodic evaluation. Once the key elements of service delivery are identified, they can be input and readily tracked on a custom application we have developed to deliver ready access to service delivery information. This information has been used to provide objective figures for custodial reviews and in certain instances, has allowed limited performance-based compensation to be awarded.
		© 2010 R.V. Kuhns & Associates, Inc.