SEI Investments (SEIC) FY Conference Transcript

SEI Investments (SEIC) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - SEI Investments provides outsourced technology and investment solutions to banks, financial institutions, and asset managers [2] - The company manages and services $1.6 trillion of client assets [2] Core Offerings - SEI has two core offerings: 1. Technology and operations group 2. Asset management [6] - The company operates in four divisions, with 70% of revenue coming from the Investment Manager Services (IMS) space, primarily in alternative managers [8] Historical Context - Founded in 1968, SEI started in private banking and went public in 1981 [12][13] - Significant growth in the 1990s with expansion into Canada and Europe, and the establishment of three new offerings [15] - A notable investment in 1994 in LSV yielded substantial returns, generating about $2 million weekly [16] Challenges and Strategic Shifts - The early 2000s were marked by challenges due to the dot-com bubble and financial crisis, leading to stagnation [17][18] - SEI struggled to adapt to the shift from active to passive asset management [20] - A leadership transition occurred in 2022 with Ryan Hickey becoming CEO, marking a shift towards bold strategies [25][27] Recent Performance and Leadership Changes - Under Ryan's leadership, sales events increased by 25%, margins improved by 300 basis points, earnings per share rose by 55%, and share price increased by 46% [36] - A complete overhaul of the leadership team was initiated to address stagnation and competition [30][31] Strategic Focus Areas 1. Expansion of Asset Management: Targeting larger Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and enhancing product offerings [39][41] 2. Operational Excellence: Emphasizing cost management and automation, with a focus on AI and offshoring [46][48] 3. Enterprise Mindset Shift: Transitioning from a vertical to a horizontal strategy to enhance collaboration across divisions [49][50] 4. Capital Allocation: Maintaining a strong balance sheet with no debt, while considering strategic acquisitions for growth [52][54] Future Opportunities - SEI is well-positioned in the alternative investment space, particularly in private credit [44][56] - The company sees significant potential in asset management, especially with the recent leadership changes [57] Conclusion - SEI Investments is undergoing a transformative phase under new leadership, focusing on growth in asset management, operational efficiency, and strategic capital allocation to enhance shareholder value [55][58]