Allianz Asset Management Builds a Fully Digital Investor Experience with PCS
ALLIANZ Asset Management S.A. manages 16 mutual funds across different investment strategies and risk profiles, representing total assets of approximately €196 million. The distribution of these investment products was historically handled through the insurance network of Allianz Insurance, using manual, paper-based processes, while investor communication relied on offline correspondence.
As investor expectations and operational demands evolved, Allianz Asset Management sought to transition to a modern, digital operating model that would improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance investor experience.
Business Case
Manual processes and limited investor visibility
Prior to the implementation, mutual fund subscriptions and investor servicing were managed through a highly manual workflow:
- Subscription requests were completed by insurance agents using paper forms, with investor details re-entered for every transaction
- Applications were sent via fax or email and manually registered in the back-office system
- Verification, settlement, and unit allocation were handled through time-consuming manual checks
- Investor confirmations were printed, enveloped, and mailed
This process resulted in:
- High operational and administrative costs
- Increased operational risk
- Significant delays in investor information and confirmation
- Limited transparency and lack of real-time access for end investors
Solution
PCS Funds Platform & Mutual Funds Portal
Allianz selected the PCS Mutual Funds Portal, part of the PCS Funds Platform, to digitise investor servicing and fund distribution.
The solution was implemented in two phases, allowing Allianz to establish a digital presence quickly while progressively expanding functionality.
Phase A: Investor Information & Digital Access
The first phase delivered secure online access to investment information through a responsive web platform, including portfolio views, fund positions, historical prices, regulatory documents, and performance data.
Phase B: Transaction Processing & STP Integration
The second phase enabled end-to-end digital transactions, fully integrated with back-office systems. Investors can submit subscriptions, redemptions, and switches online, while settlement, confirmations, reconciliation, and approvals are handled automatically through STP.
Business Benefits
Operational efficiency and risk reduction
By digitising the full investor transaction lifecycle and integrating front-office activity directly with back-office systems, Allianz significantly reduced manual processing and operational overhead. Subscription and redemption requests now flow automatically through the system, eliminating repetitive data entry, shortening processing cycles, and reducing exposure to human error. This shift enabled the back-office team to focus on validation and control rather than manual execution.
A fundamentally improved investor experience
Investors can now access their portfolios directly, submit transactions online, and monitor their positions and performance in real time, without intermediary involvement. Transaction confirmations and unit allocation updates are delivered immediately once pricing is finalised, replacing a process that previously required weeks with same-cycle visibility and transparency.
Strategic and commercial impact
Beyond operational gains, the platform provided Allianz with a clear competitive advantage in the local market by offering digital mutual fund services not widely available elsewhere. Reduced friction in the investment process supports higher investor engagement and easier access to new funds, while digital communication channels enable direct promotion of new products. The PCS Funds Platform also established a scalable foundation aligned with modern investor behaviour, supporting Allianz’s broader digital strategy and long-term growth objectives.