Your factsheet might be the only document an investor reads, but is it doing the job?
In investment management, delivering accurate and timely fund factsheets isn’t just a regulatory requirement, it’s one of your most powerful tools for building trust. These documents are often the first (and sometimes only) touchpoint investors use to evaluate your funds. Done correctly, a factsheet offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of a fund’s key characteristics, helping investors make informed decisions.
But for many firms, producing factsheets remains a frustrating process. Outdated workflows, manual data entry, and the constant pressure of compliance checks can make even the most well-meaning efforts feel like a slog. Errors slip in. Deadlines get missed. And design consistency? That’s another headache.
Yet when crafted well, a factsheet does so much more than deliver data. It promotes transparency, reinforces your credibility, and enhances your brand’s reputation.
Four questions your factsheet should answer
To create an effective factsheet, shift your focus from what you want to say to what your investors need to know. Whether you’re speaking to institutional decision-makers, financial advisors, or retail investors, tailoring your content to their needs is essential.
Ask yourself:
- What are their investment goals?
Can they quickly see if this fund aligns with their risk appetite, time horizon, and financial objectives? - How does the fund’s strategy align with their needs?
Are you clearly articulating the investment approach and why it matters? - What concerns or barriers might they have?
Think about potential objections or areas of confusion. Does your factsheet proactively address them? - What insights will drive them to act?
Are you making it easy for the reader to take the next step, whether that’s learning more, consulting an advisor, or investing?
By structuring your content around these questions, your factsheet becomes more than numbers. It becomes a trusted resource that facilitates informed decisions and strengthens the relationship between your firm and your investors.
Common challenges in fund factsheet production
Many firms are stuck with time-consuming, error-prone processes. The most common challenges we see include:
- Manual data handling – relying on spreadsheets and outdated processes increases the risk of errors.
- Inconsistent branding and formatting – maintaining a consistent look and feel across multiple versions can be challenging.
- Compliance risks – regulatory expectations keep evolving. Without built-in controls, it’s hard to stay on top of them.
- Slow production cycles – frequent fund updates put pressure on teams to work faster, often at the expense of accuracy or design quality.
The good news? Things are changing
Modern automation platforms and smart design tools are helping asset managers take control of their factsheets reducing risk, speeding production, and elevating quality across the board.
In our next article, we’ll show how firms are using Kurtosys to reimagine the entire factsheet process from data to design to delivery.
