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.
Mutual Fund Performance Awards
The mutual fund performance awards will be judged based on 2022 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 2022.
Multi-asset mutual fund of the year *New for 2023*
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, 2022 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, 2022 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 muni bond fund, as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. Funds launched before Jan. 1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
Alternative mutual fund of the year *New for 2023*
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, 2022 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, 2022 are eligible for entry.
ETF Awards
The ETF performance awards will be judged based on 2022 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 2022.
Digital Assets ETF of the Year *New for 2023*
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, 2022 are eligible for entry and funds can include both bitcoin futures ETFs and those that invest in the digital assets industry.
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, 2022 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 on or after Jan. 1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
Strategic Beta ETF of the Year
The strategic beta ETF award is given to the most successful strategic/smart beta ETF as determined by a combination of several factors, including flows, performance, and innovation. ETFs launched before Jan. 1, 2022 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, 2022 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 on or after Jan. 1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
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, 2022 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 on or after Jan. 1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
ESG/Impact ETF of the YearSponsored by
The 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 before Jan. 1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer 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 on or after Jan. 1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
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, 2022 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer Alternative ETF of the Year
The newcomer 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 on or after Jan. 1, 2022 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, 2022 are eligible for entry.
Newcomer ETF of the Year
The newcomer ETF award is given to the most successful ETF launched in 2022 as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. ETFs launched on or after Jan.1, 2022 are eligible for entry.
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, 2022 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.
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, 2022 to be 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 2022 are eligible for entry.
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 on or after Jan.1 2022 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 2022 that most changed the landscape of the fund or retirement industry.
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 Leader of the Year
Sponsored by
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.
Fund Director Awards
Trustee of the Year
Sponsored by
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.
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.
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.
Newcomer Trustee of the Year
Sponsored by
This is awarded to new 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