ONEaccess unveils research valuation platform ahead of Mifid II
ONEaccess has created a tool that enables buy-side firms to value and monitor their research usage in dealings with brokers. The platform will also allow asset managers to aggregate and analyse their use of data. ONEaccess, which was bought last year by UBS and Morgan Stanley-backed fintech firm Visible Alpha, is seeking to capitalise on the imminent application of Mifid II regulations, which will force sell-side companies in Europe to declare their research costs to clients, creating a need for robust research budgeting, evaluation and payment processes.

Visible Alpha’s ONEaccess has launched a research valuation tool ahead of MiFID II just months after the two firms merged.

The ONEaccess platform will allow buy-siders to monitor, aggregate and analyse their interaction with research providers ensuring research consumption is in line with budgets.

Visible Alpha - a FinTech firm backed by the likes of UBS, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America - announced the acquisition of ONEaccess in January last year.

The acquisition saw both firms look to bring greater transparency and efficiency to broker-client relationships and help buy-side firms generate alpha.

ONEaccess is the latest firm to launch a tool in response to MiFID II’s unbundling requirements as the deadline for compliance draws closer.

Instinet, Convergex and ITG all launched similar tools in recent weeks to help firms navigate commission management and research consumption.

Richard Johnson, vice president of market structure and technology at Greenwich Associates, explained MiFID II regulations will profoundly change how asset managers consume and pay for research.

“Investment firms will need to establish robust research budgeting, evaluation and payment processes,” he said.

A recent report by Greenwich found unbundling requirements could reach beyond Europe as global asset managers with substantial business in the region are opting to adhere to MiFID II’s unbundling rules.

The research said large buy-side firms with a presence in multiple regions are looking to ‘lessen the burden’ of maintaining distinct research management processes in different parts of the world.