Investment managers are optimistic on their business outlooks and are spending money to boost efficiency, cut risk and improve the quality of service they give to clients, according to a poll by SEI, the US investment and technology consulting firm.

The poll, conducted at a recent US conference for SEI’s investment manager clients, shows that nearly all participants (88 per cent) are optimistic about their firms' business prospects over the next three years. (Most of the firms at the conference were from the US).

There are a number of reasons behind the optimism, but positive market expectations (29 per cent) and firm-specific strengths, such as superior performance (22 per cent) and well-respected brands (19 per cent), were cited most frequently.

For the minority of managers (12 per cent) who were fearful about about their prospects, weak distribution strategies and insufficient distribution resources were the biggest concerns, the poll found.

The majority of managers polled have already taken steps, or have plans to take steps, to improve their growth potential, with 84 per cent making material personnel or technology investments to enhance client service.

The top areas for investment in 2011 cited in the poll include: hiring of additional marketing and distribution personnel (34 per cent), back office operations and technology (28 per cent), and compliance and regulatory functions (17 per cent).

The poll was completed by C-level and senior executives across management operations, distribution, and investment professions.