Goldman's build-your-own ETF hub debuts first funds

Goldman's build-your-own ETF hub debuts first funds
Goldman's platform is designed to help institutional clients launch their own ETFs while providing services such as portfolio implementation and capital markets solutions.
OCT 05, 2023

A Goldman Sachs Group Inc. platform for Wall Street clients riding the ETF boom has given birth to its first investment funds.

Three exchange-traded strategies from Brandes Investments Partners began trading Thursday through the Goldman Sachs ETF Accelerator, according to a press release. Those are the first to launch through Goldman’s hub, which is designed to help institutional clients launch their own ETFs while providing services such as portfolio implementation and capital markets solutions. 

The platform, which was announced in November 2022, is a culmination of client demand as actively managed ETFs boom in popularity, according to Goldman’s Lisa Mantil. Assets in such funds have ballooned in recent years, stoking an arms race among ETF issuers seeking to capture market share — as well as new entrants. In addition to traditional asset managers, Goldman has also seen interest from hedge funds, insurance companies and pension funds. The consulting service is the first of its kind among the large Wall Street banks.

“There were dozens and dozens of our core Goldman Sachs institutional clients calling, wanting to get into the active ETF space but had no idea how to do it,” Mantil, global head of the Goldman Sachs ETF Accelerator, said in a phone interview. “We’re doing everything within the walls and halls in Goldman Sachs to help a client launch, list and manage ETFs.”

The hub is similar to a white-label ETF business, where a third party helps issuers launch a product and assists on the distribution and ETF servicing front. However, unlike the white-label setup, Goldman won’t be listed as the funds’ investment adviser or necessarily be included in the branding of the product. 

While getting a new ETF off the ground can be “really expensive” for many smaller investment managers, turning to Goldman helps mitigate some of those startup costs, Mantil said. 

Active funds have attracted roughly 25% of the $330 billion that’s flowed into U.S. ETFs this year, according to Bloomberg data. That’s a record share, even though active ETFs only make up about 6% of the $7 trillion industry. As assets in actively managed strategies continue to grow, that should benefit Goldman’s platform, Mantil said.

“We do not have ambitions to have five to 10 clients or 50 funds. We’re building this in the most industrial way — hundreds of clients, thousands of funds,” Mantil said. “We have really big ambitions because we believe the next wave of AUM growth in the ETF space will be active.”

Don't expect surge in actively managed ETFs to stop anytime soon

Latest News

In an AI world, investors still look for the human touch
In an AI world, investors still look for the human touch

AI is no replacement for trusted financial advisors, but it can meaningfully enhance their capabilities as well as the systems they rely on.

This viral motivational speaker can also be your Prudential financial advisor
This viral motivational speaker can also be your Prudential financial advisor

Prudential's Jordan Toma is no "Finfluencer," but he is a registered financial advisor with four million social media followers and a message of overcoming personal struggles that's reached kids in 150 school across the US.

Fintech bytes: GReminders and Advisor CRM announce AI-related updates
Fintech bytes: GReminders and Advisor CRM announce AI-related updates

GReminders is deepening its integration partnership with a national wealth firm, while Advisor CRM touts a free new meeting tool for RIAs.

SEC charges barred ex-Merrill broker behind Bain Capital private equity fraud
SEC charges barred ex-Merrill broker behind Bain Capital private equity fraud

The Texas-based former advisor reportedly bilked clients out of millions of dollars, keeping them in the dark with doctored statements and a fake email domain.

Trump's tax bill passes senate in hard-fought victory for Republicans
Trump's tax bill passes senate in hard-fought victory for Republicans

The $3.3 trillion tax and spending cut package narrowly got through the upper house, with JD Vance casting the deciding vote to overrule three GOP holdouts.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.