Categories and criteria

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 before October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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.

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 October. 1, 2024 to be eligible for entry.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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.

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 on or after October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1 2024 and October. 1, 2025 are eligible for entry.

The newcomer ETF award is given to the most successful ETF launched in 2024 as determined by a combination of several elements, such as flows, performance, innovation, and fund objectives. ETFs launched between October. 1 2024 and October. 1, 2025 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1 2024 and October. 1, 2025 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1 2024 and October. 1, 2025 are eligible for entry.

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.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This category is not open to entries

This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to fund board oversight during their career.

This category is not open to entries

This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the investment management industry during their career.

This category is not open to entries

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

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 October. 1, 2024 are eligible for entry.

Each year, Fund Action 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

This award is designed to reward a data management provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative tech solutions to back and middle-office functions.

Criteria :

• Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increased number of clients
• Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
  

This award is designed to honor the best provider of data management solutions for back and middle office functions. Success in this category depends on providing example of how the firm has been able to provide a research or database that has helped with the efficiency of business operations. Clear explanations of what types of data the firm is leveraging is mandatory.

Criteria :

• Demonstrable commercial success and business growth Innovative data management solution expansion
• Demonstration of increased number of clients
• Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
  

This award is designed to honor the best provider of data and is open to providers across asset classes. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been able to provide a good quality feed of tradeable insights, cutting edge research, reporting services or a database that helps with business development.

Criteria :

• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of an exceptional new product or service
• Examples of how research and data services have made a difference to clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
  

This award is designed to reward a data management provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative data management solutions to front-office traders. Consideration will be given to firms that prove they have narrowed down the scope of implementing “big data” infrastructures and strategies and can illustrate tangible ways in which their data management program or platform creates operational efficiencies for clients.

Criteria :

• Demonstrable commercial success and business growth Innovative data management solution expansion
• Demonstration of increased number of clients
• Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
  

This award is designed to reward a technology provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative technology solutions to front-office traders. Consideration will be given to firms that can illustrate in tangible ways in which their program or platform creates operational efficiencies for clients.

Criteria :

• Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increased number of clients
• Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
  

This award is designed to reward a data management provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative data management solutions to front-office traders. Consideration will be given to firms that prove they have narrowed down the scope of implementing “big data” infrastructures and strategies and can illustrate tangible ways in which their data management program or platform creates operational efficiencies for clients.

Criteria :

• Demonstrable commercial success and business growth Innovative data management solution expansion
• Demonstration of increased number of clients
• Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
  

This award is designed to reward institutional trading risk solution providers that have displayed growth and innovation while providing traders, portfolio and risk managers with superior risk, scenarios and portfolio analytics across complex and multi-asset investment portfolios. Success in this category is dependent on demonstrable customer and revenue growth, as well as product development innovation that boasts significant positive customer feedback and success. Superior candidates will submit quantifiable material to ground their success and growth.

Criteria :

Demonstrable commercial success and business growth in 2025

Innovative risk management platform or solution development (i.e. expansion into new asset classes).

Must have launched business in 2025

Demonstration of increased number of clients

This award is designed to reward the firm that has driven technological innovation, both proprietary and through partnerships. Success in this category depends upon a demonstration of new solutions and technology, and how that technology infrastructure helped end clients.

Criteria :

• Specific examples of success for clients based upon technology innovation
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
• An original initiative or launch and detailed success rate