SEI announced a range of enhancements to its Separately Managed Account (SMA) and Unified Managed Account (UMA) solutions offered through the Managed Account Solutions program, including the launch of additional internally-managed and third-party investment options, reduced costs, and technology updates that bolster tax optimization. These enhancements are designed to help advisors better serve mass-affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth investors. UMA have exhibited strong growth rates over the last half-decade, with assets climbing at an annual rate of 34%, and strong growth for UMA programs is expected over the next four years.

SEI's SMAs, complemented with a differentiated UMA structure, puts the investor in control. Benefits include: Diversified investment expertise from SEI and third-party managers with more than 70 specialist managers and 120 unique mandates, including SEI's SMA capabilities in direct indexing, factor investing, and individual bond strategies. Overlay portfolio management and integration coordination across multiple SMA managers, designed to optimize risk and return, as well as tax-aware trading to improve tax efficiency.

Tax-loss harvesting that aims to strategically sell securities at a loss, offset capital gains, and reduce taxable income, while maintaining exposure to the market and preserving long-term investment objectives. SMAs and UMAs are gaining traction for their ability to offer customized investment solutions while optimizing tax efficiency. SMAs offer individualized strategies run by distinct professional managers, while UMAs provide a comprehensive investment solution that combines multiple strategies or investment vehicles within a single account structure.

UMAs also offer sophisticated tax optimization that seeks to significantly enhance after-tax returns, not only boosting client outcomes, but also reinforcing an advisor's value proposition. SEI's technology enhancements enable on-demand access to comprehensive reports and analytics that help foster transparency and facilitate improved decision-making, including SEI's Estimated taxes Saved Report that shows advisors and investors the amount of taxes saved or deferred through active tax management.