Investment management is a core function of the financial system, playing a central role in how individuals, institutions, and governments grow and protect wealth over time.
If you are looking to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, which is what I specialize in, you can email me ([email protected]) or WhatsApp (+44-7393-450-837).
This includes if you are looking for a second opinion or alternative investments.
Some of the facts might change from the time of writing, and nothing written here is financial, legal, tax or any kind of individual advice, nor a solicitation to invest.
Investment management involves the professional handling of various securities and assets—such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and other investment instruments—with the objective of achieving specific financial goals.
Investment Management Definition
Investment management refers to the professional management of financial assets and other investments on behalf of individuals, institutions, or entities.
It involves a broad range of services, including portfolio construction, asset allocation, risk assessment, performance monitoring, and strategic rebalancing.
The primary goal of investment management is to help clients achieve their financial objectives by selecting and managing investments in a disciplined, informed, and goal-oriented manner.
This may involve maximizing returns, preserving capital, generating income, or managing risk—depending on the client’s risk tolerance, time horizon, and personal or institutional needs.
Key functions of investment management include:
- Developing an investment strategy: Based on the client’s goals, risk profile, and time horizon
- Asset selection: Choosing appropriate securities (e.g., stocks, bonds, real estate, funds)
- Portfolio diversification: Reducing risk by spreading investments across asset classes and sectors
- Ongoing monitoring: Tracking performance and market conditions
- Rebalancing: Adjusting the portfolio to maintain target allocations
- Reporting and compliance: Ensuring transparency, regulatory compliance, and communication with clients
Investment management is offered by a variety of providers, including independent firms, banks, wealth management companies, and online platforms.
The services may be delivered on a discretionary basis (where the manager makes decisions independently within an agreed mandate) or a non-discretionary basis (where the manager provides recommendations, but the client retains final decision-making authority).
Investment Management vs Asset Management
The terms investment management and asset management are often used interchangeably, but they can carry slightly different connotations depending on context, geography, and usage within the financial industry.
Investment management typically refers to the broader process of managing financial investments to meet specific objectives.
It encompasses not just the selection of securities but also the creation of an investment strategy, ongoing portfolio oversight, and risk management. The term is widely used in both retail and institutional contexts and may include services such as financial planning and advisory.
Asset management, while largely similar, is often used more narrowly to refer to the management of pooled investment vehicles or institutional funds.
It usually emphasizes the management of specific assets—such as mutual funds, pension portfolios, or institutional capital—rather than personal financial planning or broader investment strategy.
Key points of distinction may include:
- Client focus: Asset management often serves large institutional clients; investment management may cater to both institutions and individuals.
- Scope: Investment management may include a wider range of financial planning services; asset management is typically limited to investment activities.
- Geographic usage: In the U.S., both terms are frequently used. In the U.K. and Europe, “asset management” is more commonly associated with institutional investment firms.
Despite these nuances, the differences are not rigid, and many firms use both terms in branding and communication.
In practice, both involve the professional oversight of investments with the goal of optimizing returns based on defined risk parameters.
Investment Management vs Investment Banking
Though both operate within the financial sector, investment management and investment banking serve distinctly different functions and cater to different client needs.
Investment management focuses on the ongoing management of financial assets on behalf of clients. The objective is to help individuals, families, institutions, or organizations achieve their financial goals through strategic investment decisions, risk management, and long-term portfolio oversight.
Investment managers analyze markets, construct portfolios, and monitor performance based on client mandates.
In contrast, investment banking centers around capital raising, corporate finance, and advisory services for large organizations, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), initial public offerings (IPOs), and debt issuance.
Investment bankers act as intermediaries between companies and investors, helping firms access capital markets to fund expansion, restructuring, or strategic initiatives.
Key distinctions between the two include:
- Client Base: Investment management serves both individuals and institutions; investment banking primarily works with corporations, governments, and institutional investors.
- Primary Function: Investment management is concerned with wealth preservation and growth; investment banking facilitates large-scale financial transactions.
- Revenue Model: Investment managers typically earn fees based on assets under management (AUM); investment banks generate income through advisory fees, underwriting commissions, and trading profits.
- Time Horizon: Investment management focuses on ongoing, long-term relationships; investment banking is often transaction-based and project-specific.
What is an Investment Management Company?
An investment management company is a firm that provides professional services to manage investment portfolios for a variety of clients, including individuals, corporations, endowments, pension funds, and governments.
These companies offer expertise in asset selection, market analysis, portfolio construction, and risk management. The structure and services offered by investment management companies can vary widely:
- Independent Firms: Specialized firms that focus solely on investment management, often serving high-net-worth individuals or institutions.
- Bank-Affiliated Firms: Subsidiaries of large commercial or investment banks that offer asset management alongside other financial services.
- Robo-Advisory Platforms: Technology-driven firms that use algorithms to manage portfolios with minimal human intervention, typically targeting retail investors at lower cost.
- Boutique Investment Firms: Smaller, niche companies that specialize in specific asset classes, sectors, or investment strategies.
These companies are subject to regulatory oversight, which varies by jurisdiction. In most countries, investment managers must be licensed, disclose fees, follow fiduciary standards, and comply with rules designed to protect clients and ensure market integrity.
Discretionary Investment Management
Discretionary investment management is a service model in which the investment manager has full authority to make investment decisions on behalf of the client, without requiring prior approval for each transaction.
The client agrees to a predefined mandate that outlines objectives, risk tolerance, asset allocation guidelines, and any restrictions. Within this framework, the manager can act independently to buy, sell, or adjust holdings as they see fit.
This approach is common among high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and clients who prefer a hands-off experience. Discretionary mandates are also standard for managed investment funds such as mutual funds or pension funds.
Key features of discretionary investment management include:
- Time Efficiency: Managers can act quickly in response to market conditions without seeking client approval.
- Expert Oversight: Clients benefit from continuous professional management and research-based decision-making.
- Tailored Mandates: Investment strategies can be customized to suit individual financial goals and risk profiles.
- Accountability and Regulation: Discretionary managers are typically bound by fiduciary duty, requiring them to act in the best interests of the client.
By contrast, non-discretionary (or advisory) investment management involves the manager making recommendations, but the client retains final authority over every decision. This model suits investors who want to stay actively involved in their portfolios.
Discretionary management is especially valuable for clients who lack the time, expertise, or desire to monitor their investments on a day-to-day basis, and who are willing to delegate that responsibility to a trusted professional under clear guidelines.
Investment Management Fees
Investment management fees refer to the costs charged by professionals or firms in exchange for managing a client’s investment portfolio.
These fees vary based on the provider, level of service, size of assets under management (AUM), and investment strategy used. Understanding how fees are structured is important, as they directly affect investment returns over time.
Common Fee Structures
- Percentage of AUM: This is the most common model, where the manager charges a percentage of the client’s portfolio annually. Typical rates range from 0.25% to 2% depending on portfolio size and service level.
- Flat Fees: A fixed annual or monthly charge regardless of the amount of assets managed. This is more common among financial advisors or digital platforms targeting cost-conscious clients.
- Hourly or Project-Based Fees: In cases where investment advice is limited to a one-time consultation or specific planning task, advisors may charge hourly or per-project rates.
- Performance-Based Fees: Some investment managers—particularly in hedge funds or private equity—charge fees based on a share of profits earned above a benchmark. A typical structure is “2 and 20”: 2% management fee plus 20% of profits.
What is the importance of investment management?
Investment management plays a vital role in the broader economy and in the financial well-being of individuals and institutions. It bridges the gap between savers and capital markets, guiding money into productive use and helping clients meet long-term financial objectives.
Supporting Wealth Creation
By identifying suitable investment opportunities, managing risk, and optimizing asset allocation, investment management enables individuals to grow their savings over time. It is essential for building wealth for retirement, education, or legacy goals.
Facilitating Capital Formation
Institutional investment managers channel large pools of capital—such as pension funds, insurance reserves, and endowments—into businesses and infrastructure projects. This supports economic growth, job creation, and innovation.
Promoting Financial Discipline
A structured investment strategy helps investors stay focused on long-term goals, reducing the temptation to react emotionally to short-term market movements. Professional management can provide discipline through regular reviews, performance monitoring, and strategic rebalancing.
Providing Access to Expertise
Investment managers bring professional knowledge of market trends, macroeconomic conditions, and financial instruments. This expertise is particularly important for investors without the time or experience to manage their portfolios independently.
Enhancing Risk Management
Effective investment management includes diversification and proactive risk control. By spreading investments across asset classes and geographies, managers reduce exposure to volatility and protect clients against concentrated losses.
Aligning Investments with Values or Goals
Managers can tailor portfolios to reflect specific client preferences, such as ethical investing, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, or income-focused strategies. This customization adds personal relevance and purpose to investment decisions.
Investment management provides the structure, strategy, and oversight necessary to navigate complex financial markets and pursue long-term financial success.
Pained by financial indecision?
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.
