SMAs Continue to Flourish
By PSN Product Manager, Nick Williams
PSN Product Manager, Nick Williams
As we progress through 2026, I'm pleased to report that the Separately Managed Account space continues to flourish, demonstrating the resilience and innovation that have become hallmarks of our industry. The momentum we've built over the past two years reflects not only market dynamics but also the dedication of asset managers who continue to deliver exceptional value to their clients.
For over four decades, Zephyr's PSN database has served as the industry's definitive resource for managed accounts, and we remain committed to evolving alongside the managers and investors we serve. Throughout 2025 and into this year, we've introduced several meaningful enhancements designed to strengthen connections between asset managers and the institutions, endowments, family offices, and financial advisors who rely on our platform.
Empowering Managers with Actionable Intelligence
Our new PSN Manager Insights module, now integrated within the Zephyr Platform, represents a significant advancement in competitive intelligence. This tool enables managers to track how frequently their strategies appear in investor reports and identify which peer managers are being evaluated alongside them. By providing visibility into the competitive landscape, we're equipping asset managers with the market intelligence needed to refine positioning, understand investor preferences, and develop more targeted marketing strategies. Zephyr with PSN has become an invaluable resource for both market research and materials development.
Supporting the Evolution of Model Delivery
Recognizing the growing prominence of model-delivered SMAs, we've enhanced the PSN platform to better accommodate this evolving segment. Our improvements make it seamless for managers to report model-delivered strategies, ensuring that as this delivery method gains traction, investors and advisors can efficiently discover and evaluate models that align with their objectives. We're committed to remaining at the forefront of industry innovation, adapting our infrastructure to meet emerging needs.
Amplifying Manager Voices Through Media
Our Inside SMAs podcast has quickly become a valued forum for in-depth manager conversations. Hosted by Ryan Nauman, each episode features comprehensive research and thoughtful dialogue, allowing managers to articulate their investment philosophy, process, and approach to generating alpha in today's markets. This platform provides an accessible, engaging way for managers to connect with prospective clients and showcase the expertise that distinguishes their firms.
Celebrating Excellence with PSN Top Guns
The PSN Top Guns awards continue to set the industry standard for recognizing exceptional performance. Evaluating asset managers across more than 50 categories, this program provides investors with critical insights while celebrating the achievements of our contributing managers. Our Q4 Top Guns awards reached over 5,000 investment professionals, and we're honored to spotlight the accomplishments of so many outstanding firms each quarter. We've also streamlined the process for award recipients to promote their achievements through dedicated landing pages and Advantage Packages that extend branding opportunities across our platform.
An Optimistic Outlook
The trajectory for SMAs remains exceptionally promising. Technological advancement and shifting investor preferences continue to drive demand for the personalization, transparency, and flexibility that separately managed accounts uniquely provide. The democratization of SMAs is accelerating, with retail investors increasingly embracing these solutions and creating substantial growth opportunities across industry.
With more than 22,000 investment strategies and 2,800 asset management firms represented in our database, PSN remains the essential resource for those seeking premier SMA managers. As we look toward 2027 and beyond, our commitment is unwavering: to drive innovation, expand access, and empower both managers and investors to succeed in an increasingly dynamic investment landscape.
Thank you for your continued partnership and contribution to this vibrant industry.
