Categories & Criteria
The Mutual Fund and ETF Awards provide a platform for fund leadership, sales, marketing and performance to be rewarded, and for firms as well as individuals to showcase the incredible achievements they have accomplished.
The categories for the Awards were developed in consultation with leading allocators and industry leaders to ensure they are representative of the broad and fast-moving nature of the sector.
Each category has its own set of criteria so that entrants can focus on the key points of how they outperformed their competitors, and our judging panel can ensure that the true winner is crowned.
Categories
Asset Manager Sales, Marketing and Leadership Awards
Asset Manager Digital Tool of the Year
Asset Manager Podcast of the Year
Asset Manager website of the year
Best DEI Initiative of the Year
Best ESG Asset Manager
Best Philanthropic Initiative
Content Marketing Strategy of the Year
Deal of the Year
Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year
Fund Innovation of the Year
Fund Leader of the Year
Fund Marketer of the Year
PR Campaign of the Year
Retirement Leader of the Year
Social Media Leader of the Year
ETF Awards
Active ETF of the Year
Alternative ETF of the Year
Digital Assets ETF of the Year
ESG/Impact ETF of the Year
ETF Innovation of the Year
ETF Provider of the Year
ETF Suite of the Year
ETF of the Year
Fixed Income ETF of the Year
Index Provider of the Year
Newcomer Active ETF of the Year
Newcomer ETF Firm of the Year
Newcomer ETF of the Year
Newcomer Fixed Income ETF of the Year
Newcomer Sales Success of the Year - ETFs
Newcomer Thematic ETF of the Year
Sales Success of the Year - ETFs
Thematic ETF of the Year
Fund Director Awards
Independent Counsel of the Year
Newcomer Trustee of the Year
Small Board Trustee of the Year
Trustee of the Year
Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement Awards
With Intelligence Lifetime Achievement
Fund Directions Lifetime AchievementMutual Fund Performance Awards
Active ESG Mutual Fund of the Year
Active Equities Mutual Fund of the Year
Active Fixed Income Mutual Fund of the Year
Alternative mutual fund of the year
Multi-asset mutual fund of the year
Rising Star Awards
Mutual Fund Performance Awards
The mutual fund performance awards will be judged based on 2023 performance and flows. For the newcomer categories funds must be at least $25m in AUM, for the other categories funds must be at least $50m. Newcomer funds must have launched in 2023.
Multi-asset mutual fund of the year
The multi-asset mutual fund of the year is given to the most successful equity/fixed income allocation mutual fund as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Funds launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Active equities mutual fund of the year
The active equities mutual fund of the year is given to the most successful US, international, global or sector-specific equities fund as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Funds launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Active fixed income mutual fund of the year
The active fixed income mutual fund of the year is given to the most successful taxable or multi bond fund, as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Funds launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Alternative mutual fund of the year
The alternative mutual fund of the year is given to the most successful liquid alternatives mutual fund as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Funds launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Active ESG mutual fund of the year
The active ESG mutual fund of the year is given to the most successful fund focused on issues related to environmental, social and governance factors or specific ESG objectives, as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Funds launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
ETF Awards
The ETF performance awards will be judged based on 2023 performance and flows. For the newcomer categories funds must be at least $25m in AUM, for the other categories funds must be at least $50m. Newcomer funds must have launched in 2023.
Active ETF of the Year
The active ETF award is given to the most successful active ETF as determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. The ETF must be considered active by the Securities and Exchange Commission to qualify. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Digital Assets ETF of the Year
The digital assets ETF award is given to the most successful digital assets ETF as determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry and funds can include both bitcoin futures ETFs and those that invest in the digital assets industry.
ETF Innovation of the Year
The ETF Innovation award is given to the most successful ETF focused on a novel strategy or approach to the market. Success is determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, fund objectives and innovation. ETFs launched by Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
ETF Suite of the Year
The Top ETF Suite award is given to the most successful suite of ETFs as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Most of the ETFs in the suite should have been launched by Jan. 1, 2024 to be eligible for entry.
Fixed Income ETF of the Year
The fixed income ETF award is given to the most successful fixed income ETF as determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer Active ETF of the Year
The newcomer active ETF award is given to the most successful active ETF as determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. The ETF must be considered active by the Securities and Exchange Commission to qualify. ETFs launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer ETF of the Year
The newcomer ETF award is given to the most successful ETF launched in 2023 as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. ETFs launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer Sales Success of the Year - ETFs
The Sales Success – ETFs award is given to an individual fund or line of funds that, whether through performance, sales strategy, or a combination of both, achieved a dramatic increase or high level of flows. ETFs launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
Sales Success of the Year - ETFs
The Sales Success – ETFs award is given to an individual fund or line of funds that, whether through performance, sales strategy, or a combination of both, achieved a dramatic increase or consistently high level of flows.
Alternative ETF of the Year
The alternative ETF award is given to the most successful ETF providing exposure to non-traditional investments, such as real estate, commodities, and liquid alternatives. Success is determined by a combination of several factors, such as flows, fund objectives and innovation. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
ESG/Impact ETF of the Year
The newcomer ESG/Impact ETF award is given to the most successful ETF focused on issues related to environmental, social and governance factors or specific ESG objectives. Success is determined by a combination of several factors, such as flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
ETF Provider of the Year
The ETF Provider award is given to the most successful ETF issuer as determined by a combination of several elements, including flows and innovation. All ETF issuers who launched their US ETF before Jan.1 2024 are eligible for entry.
ETF of the Year
The ETF of the Year award is given to the most successful ETF as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Index Provider of the Year
The Index Provider award is given to the most successful index provider as determined by a combination of several elements, including innovation, new deals with issuers, and flows attracted to related ETFs.
Newcomer ETF Firm of the Year
The newcomer ETF Provider award is given to the most successful new ETF issuer as determined by a combination of several elements, including flows, performance and innovation. All ETF issuers who launched their first US ETF between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer Fixed Income ETF of the Year
The fixed income ETF award is given to the most successful fixed income ETF as determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer Thematic ETF of the Year
The newcomer Thematic ETF award is given to the most successful ETF developed around a specific idea, trend or investment theme. Success is determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for entry.
Thematic ETF of the Year
The thematic ETF award is given to the most successful ETF developed around a specific idea, trend or investment theme. Success is determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.
Asset Manager Sales, Marketing and Leadership Awards
Asset Manager Digital Tool of the Year
Awarded to the best asset manager app, device, platform, or other innovative tool which has achieved maximum impact, with judges scoring based on design, usability, impact on sales and marketing success and innovation.
Asset Manager Website of the Year
Awarded to the best asset manager website, with a focus on design, usability, strength of content and lining up with marketing, sales, and client servicing goals.
Best ESG Asset Manager
This award will be given to the most successful asset manager operating ESG strategies, determined by a range of measures including product innovation, flows, performance and thought leadership.
Content Marketing Strategy of the Year
Awarded to the fund group which has most successfully promoted its subject matter experts using engaging content delivered through thought leadership strategies including the use of blogs, white papers, events, panels, and social media postings.
Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the most innovative, attention-grabbing, and successful digital marketing campaign by an asset manager, utilizing a range of different mediums and techniques to achieve its business goals.
Fund Leader of the Year
This is awarded to an individual who has made a key impact on his or her firm, or the industry, through innovative concepts, fresh thinking, product development and other new initiatives.
PR Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the most innovative, attention-grabbing, and successful PR campaign which met the business goals of the asset manager, be that product marketing, thought leadership, brand recognition, crisis management, or other business growth objectives. The award is open in internal and external PR teams.
Social Media Leader of the Year
Awarded to the individual or firm that has shown itself to be a leader in social media through insights and engagement with clients and the general public that have helped to deliver business goals.
Asset Manager Podcast of the Year
Awarded to the fund group which has delivered the top podcast of the year, with judges scoring based on the consistent quality of content, reach to target demographics and delivery of business goals for the firm.
Best DEI Initiative of the Year
This award will recognize asset managers that have done an exceptional job in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion across their businesses. This can include programs run internally to promote DEI across the fund complex, work within local communities and/or asset management products related to these attributes.
Best Philanthropic Initiative
This award will recognize asset managers that have done an exceptional job in running a philanthropic endeavour over the past 12 months which has had a positive social impact on its chosen area of focus.
Deal of the Year
Awarded to the M&A deal of 2023 that most changed the landscape of the fund or retirement industry.
Fund Innovation of the Year
This award recognizes impactful innovation and fresh thinking that has delivered positive outcomes in areas including product development, investment strategy, distribution, marketing campaigns and educational initiatives.
Fund Marketer of the Year
This award is open to both marketing and distribution leaders and will go to an individual or individuals who led innovative campaigns or strategies that have contributed to measurable improvements in areas such as inflows, investor participation and increasing market share.
Retirement Leader of the Year
This is awarded to an individual or firm that has made a key impact on growing retirement assets through means such as innovative retirement solutions, successful marketing campaigns and significant contributions to the retirement industry at large.
Fund Director Awards
Independent Counsel of the Year
This category recognizes lawyers who have delivered outstanding representation of independent directors. Accomplishments could include but are not limited to industry leadership, innovation, fund restructurings, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Newcomer Trustee of the Year
This award recognizes potential in the enterprising newer intake of independent fund directors. Nominees have demonstrated strong leadership, initiative, and governance during their first five years in the boardroom.
Small Board Trustee of the Year
This category recognizes directors who serve on boards that oversee less than $30bn in assets for outstanding accomplishments working with their own board or with the mutual fund industry in general. Accomplishments could include but are not limited to industry leadership, individual fund leadership, strong governance credentials and innovation.
Trustee of the Year
This is awarded to directors who serve on boards that oversee more than $30bn in assets for outstanding accomplishments working with their own board or with the mutual fund industry in general. Accomplishments could include but are not limited to industry leadership, individual fund leadership, strong governance credentials and innovation.
Rising Star Awards
Each year, Fund Intelligence and Fund Directions scouts the market for up-and-comers who have made significant strides early in their careers and shown significant potential based on the following criteria:
• Leadership in their profession, firm and/or industry
• Outstanding contributions to innovations, product development, client service, sales and/or growth in assets or returns
• Recognition by the firm and/or industry groups
• Active contribution to the broader mutual fund community
• Spending fewer than 15 years working in the mutual fund industry
• Other quantifiable contributions to profession, firm, clients and/or industry
Hall of Fame
The Mutual Fund Industry Awards honors outstanding members of the investment management community for their cumulative contributions to the industry by welcoming them into the prestigious Hall of Fame. Candidates include firms that have received THREE or more Mutual Fund Industry Awards, and Individuals who have taken home at least TWO awards. These can include multiple wins in the same category, or winning two different awards.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
With Intelligence Lifetime Achievement
This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the investment management industry during their career.
Fund Directions Lifetime Achievement
This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to fund board oversight during their career.