Amba Research
Encyclopedia
Amba Research is a financial services Knowledge Process Outsourcing
(KPO) firm that provides investment research, analytics, marketing, and middle office support services to the global capital markets industry. Clients of Amba Research include Asset Managers, Investment Banks, Brokerages, Private Equity
and Venture Capital firms, Commercial bank
s, Insurers and Enterprises
. The company provides research and analytical support across multiple asset classes, including global Equities, Fixed Income
and Credit
. It also provides support for Quantitative research
, Funds Sales and Marketing, Research On-demand, Insurance Analytics and Business Research
. Over 70 companies, including 6 of the top 15 global asset managers and 6 of the top 15 global investment banks use Amba to differentiate and outperform. It employs over 700 people globally and maintains offices in New York (USA)
, London (UK)
, Bangalore (India)
, Colombo (Srilanka)
, San José (Costa Rica)
and Singapore
.
Amba Research was ranked Top Investment Research Support Provider in the 2010 Black Book of Outsourcing survey. Amba was also ranked among the Top 3 KPO Service Providers in the 2010 Black Book of Outsourcing survey.
Amba Research was ranked among the Top 3 Financial Services and Investments KPO vendors
in the 2009 Black Book of Outsourcing survey http://www.ambaresearch.com/design/user/images/Content/Amba%20Research%20emerges%20as%20the%20preferred%20vendor%20for%20Financial%20Services%20Analytics.pdf
and valuation
services and writing company and industry reports. The company also specializes in building new forecast models based on consensus or proprietary estimates; and relative and absolute valuation and sensitivity analysis. Amba Research analysts also prepare draft sections of broker reports and provide a range of in-depth sector/industry studies for both buy- and sell-side clients.
Quantitative Services – Operations include mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and computer programming
.
Fixed Income and Credit Research – Amba Research analysts provide research reports using public information, especially on high-yield and unrated credits. Reports range from "quick-and-dirty" reports for ongoing monitoring (overnight notes and relative value calls, credit risk reviews, and grading systems) to more in-depth analyses (rating-agency style, new issue/coverage initiation). In addition, the company provides support for identifying and evaluating potential relative-value trading strategies. It also provides theme-piece/sector reviews.
Recovery/Valuation Estimates – The company provides support in making recovery estimates in default and/or distressed-debt situations.
Accounting Diagnostics – Over 45% of Amba Research staff members are accountants, including CIMA
and ACCA
qualifications. Therefore, the company also specializes in research on areas such as quality of earnings, accounting diagnostics, impact of changes in accounting policies on index constituents, data mining notes to accounts for companies' revenue recognition
policies, off-balance-sheet
items, and pro forma merger accounting.
s of investment banks.
The main competitors in the third party vendors list would include
, Sri Lanka
- Amba Research Lanka (Private) Limited Bangalore
, India
- Amba Research (India) Private Limited San José
, Costa Rica
- Amba Research Costa Rica S.A Singapore
- Amba Research Singapore (Pte) Ltd New York
, USA
London
, UK
Knowledge process outsourcing
Knowledge process outsourcing is a form of outsourcing, in which knowledge-related and information-related work is carried out by workers in a different company or by a subsidiary of the same organization, which may be in the same country or in an offshore location to save cost...
(KPO) firm that provides investment research, analytics, marketing, and middle office support services to the global capital markets industry. Clients of Amba Research include Asset Managers, Investment Banks, Brokerages, Private Equity
Private equity
Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
and Venture Capital firms, Commercial bank
Commercial bank
After the implementation of the Glass–Steagall Act, the U.S. Congress required that banks engage only in banking activities, whereas investment banks were limited to capital market activities. As the two no longer have to be under separate ownership under U.S...
s, Insurers and Enterprises
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
. The company provides research and analytical support across multiple asset classes, including global Equities, Fixed Income
Fixed income
Fixed income refers to any type of investment that is not equity, which obligates the borrower/issuer to make payments on a fixed schedule, even if the number of the payments may be variable....
and Credit
Credit (finance)
Credit is the trust which allows one party to provide resources to another party where that second party does not reimburse the first party immediately , but instead arranges either to repay or return those resources at a later date. The resources provided may be financial Credit is the trust...
. It also provides support for Quantitative research
Quantitative research
In the social sciences, quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to...
, Funds Sales and Marketing, Research On-demand, Insurance Analytics and Business Research
Business Research
Business Research is a semi-annual, academic journal in English that is published by the German Academic Association for Business Research and supported by the German Research Foundation...
. Over 70 companies, including 6 of the top 15 global asset managers and 6 of the top 15 global investment banks use Amba to differentiate and outperform. It employs over 700 people globally and maintains offices in New York (USA)
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, London (UK)
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Bangalore (India)
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Colombo (Srilanka)
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, San José (Costa Rica)
San José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Amba Research was ranked Top Investment Research Support Provider in the 2010 Black Book of Outsourcing survey. Amba was also ranked among the Top 3 KPO Service Providers in the 2010 Black Book of Outsourcing survey.
Amba Research was ranked among the Top 3 Financial Services and Investments KPO vendors
in the 2009 Black Book of Outsourcing survey http://www.ambaresearch.com/design/user/images/Content/Amba%20Research%20emerges%20as%20the%20preferred%20vendor%20for%20Financial%20Services%20Analytics.pdf
History
Amba Research was founded in 2003 by four senior directors of research from Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan. The company's name is a combination of the first letter of each of the founders' names. It opened its first facility in October 2003 in Sri Lanka, and its second office in June 2004 in Singapore. In February 2005, Amba Research entered India, and in June 2006, it launched operations in Costa Rica.Founders
- Andrew Houston (MBA, CFAChartered Financial AnalystThe Chartered Financial Analyst Program is a graduate level self-study program offered by the CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals...
). Ex-JPMorgan Chase/Jardine FlemingJardine FlemingJardine Fleming was a Hong Kong based investment bank founded in 1970 as a joint venture between Jardine Matheson and Robert Fleming & Co. At the time of its sale to JP Morgan Chase in 2000, it operated in 15 countries....
MD and head of Asia research, and AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
strategist with twelve years of Asia research experience. Led II-rated strategy and economics teams
- Mohan Alexander (MSMaster of ScienceA Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
, MBA). Ex-Deutsche BankDeutsche BankDeutsche Bank AG is a global financial service company with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the emerging markets...
deputy head of Asia Research and head of India research with twelve years of Asia research experience
- Brad West (MBA). Ex-Deutsche BankDeutsche BankDeutsche Bank AG is a global financial service company with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the emerging markets...
MD and head of global emerging markets and Asia equity research, and Asia micro strategist with ten years Asia research experience. Former CLSACLSA'CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets' is one of the region’s largest and most highly rated independent equity brokers and financial-services groups, focused on providing broking, investment banking and asset management to corporate and institutional clients around the world.Founded in 1986, CLSA has its...
research head
- Anand Aithal (MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
). Ex-Goldman SachsGoldman SachsThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
MD, head of Goldman SachsGoldman SachsThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
' India research JV, and Asia strategist with eleven years of Asia and Europe research experience
Services Provided
Equity Research – Services offered include financial modelingFinancial modeling
Financial modeling is the task of building an abstract representation of a financial decision making situation. This is a mathematical model designed to represent the performance of a financial asset or a portfolio, of a business, a project, or any other investment...
and valuation
Valuation (finance)
In finance, valuation is the process of estimating what something is worth. Items that are usually valued are a financial asset or liability. Valuations can be done on assets or on liabilities...
services and writing company and industry reports. The company also specializes in building new forecast models based on consensus or proprietary estimates; and relative and absolute valuation and sensitivity analysis. Amba Research analysts also prepare draft sections of broker reports and provide a range of in-depth sector/industry studies for both buy- and sell-side clients.
Quantitative Services – Operations include mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and computer programming
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
.
Fixed Income and Credit Research – Amba Research analysts provide research reports using public information, especially on high-yield and unrated credits. Reports range from "quick-and-dirty" reports for ongoing monitoring (overnight notes and relative value calls, credit risk reviews, and grading systems) to more in-depth analyses (rating-agency style, new issue/coverage initiation). In addition, the company provides support for identifying and evaluating potential relative-value trading strategies. It also provides theme-piece/sector reviews.
Recovery/Valuation Estimates – The company provides support in making recovery estimates in default and/or distressed-debt situations.
Accounting Diagnostics – Over 45% of Amba Research staff members are accountants, including CIMA
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.CIMA is one of a number of professional...
and ACCA
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Founded in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the global body for professional accountants offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification . it is one of the largest and fastest-growing global accountancy bodies with 147,000 members and 424,000 students in 170...
qualifications. Therefore, the company also specializes in research on areas such as quality of earnings, accounting diagnostics, impact of changes in accounting policies on index constituents, data mining notes to accounts for companies' revenue recognition
Revenue recognition
The revenue recognition principle is a cornerstone of accrual accounting together with matching principle. They both determine the accounting period, in which revenues and expenses are recognized...
policies, off-balance-sheet
Off-balance-sheet
Off-balance sheet usually means an asset or debt or financing activity not on the company's balance sheet.Some companies may have significant amounts of off-balance sheet assets and liabilities. For example, financial institutions often offer asset management or brokerage services to their clients...
items, and pro forma merger accounting.
Customer Segments
- Asset Managers: http://www.ambaresearch.com/amba/customer_segments/asset_managers
- Investment Banks: http://www.ambaresearch.com/amba/customer_segments/investment_banks
- Brokerages: http://www.ambaresearch.com/amba/customer_segments/brokerages
- Private Equity and Venture Capital firms: http://www.ambaresearch.com/amba/customer_segments/private_equity_and_venture_capital_firms
- Commercial Banks: http://www.ambaresearch.com/amba/customer_segments/commercial_banks
- Corporates: http://www.ambaresearch.com/amba/customer_segments/corporates
- Insurers
Awards and Recognition
- CIMAChartered Institute of Management AccountantsThe Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.CIMA is one of a number of professional...
Employer of the year 2007 (Runner up) - Amba equity analyst training program qualifies for Continuing Education credits under CFA InstituteCFA InstituteCFA Institute is headquartered in the United States of America at Charlottesville, Virginia, with offices in Hong Kong and London. Formerly known as the Association for Investment Management and Research , CFA Institute awards the Chartered Financial Analyst designation...
Approved-Provider program - ISO 27001 Certification (awarded to all delivery locations)
- Amba Research is ranked Top Investment Research Support Provider in the 2010 Black Book of Outsourcing survey Press Release - also ranked among the Top 3 KPO Service Providers in the 2010 Black Book of Outsourcing survey
- Amba Research is ranked among the Top 3 Financial Services and Investments KPO vendors in the 2009 Black Book of Outsourcing survey Press Release
Competitors
Competition would include other third-party vendors as well as captive unitCaptive unit
A captive unit is a business unit of a company functioning offshore as an entity of its own while retaining the work and close operational tie ups within the parent company....
s of investment banks.
The main competitors in the third party vendors list would include
- Copal Partners
- Irevna
Offices
ColomboColombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
- Amba Research Lanka (Private) Limited Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
- Amba Research (India) Private Limited San José
San José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
- Amba Research Costa Rica S.A Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
- Amba Research Singapore (Pte) Ltd New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
See also
- Knowledge Process OutsourcingKnowledge process outsourcingKnowledge process outsourcing is a form of outsourcing, in which knowledge-related and information-related work is carried out by workers in a different company or by a subsidiary of the same organization, which may be in the same country or in an offshore location to save cost...
- Knowledge economyKnowledge economyThe knowledge economy is a term that refers either to an economy of knowledge focused on the production and management of knowledge in the frame of economic constraints, or to a knowledge-based economy. In the second meaning, more frequently used, it refers to the use of knowledge technologies to...
- OffshoringOffshoringOffshoring describes the relocation by a company of a business process from one country to another—typically an operational process, such as manufacturing, or supporting processes, such as accounting. Even state governments employ offshoring...
- Offshoring Research NetworkOffshoring Research NetworkThe Offshoring Research Network is an international network of researchers and practitioners studying organizations in their transition to globalizing their business functions, processes and administrative services...
- Financial ServicesFinancial servicesFinancial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. The finance industry encompasses a broad range of organizations that deal with the management of money. Among these organizations are credit unions, banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, consumer finance companies,...
- Financial AnalystFinancial analystA financial analyst, securities analyst, research analyst, equity analyst, or investment analyst is a person who performs financial analysis for external or internal clients as a core part of the job.-Job:...
- Quantitative researchQuantitative researchIn the social sciences, quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to...
- Financial Services KPO
- Investment Research Support
- Equity Research
- Fixed Income and Credit Research
- Corporate FinanceCorporate financeCorporate finance is the area of finance dealing with monetary decisions that business enterprises make and the tools and analysis used to make these decisions. The primary goal of corporate finance is to maximize shareholder value while managing the firm's financial risks...
- Funds Sales and Marketing
- Research On-demand
- Business ResearchBusiness ResearchBusiness Research is a semi-annual, academic journal in English that is published by the German Academic Association for Business Research and supported by the German Research Foundation...
- Insurance Support
- Asset Managers
- Investment Banks
- Brokerages
- Private Equity and Venture Capital Firms
- Enterprises
- Commercial bankCommercial bankAfter the implementation of the Glass–Steagall Act, the U.S. Congress required that banks engage only in banking activities, whereas investment banks were limited to capital market activities. As the two no longer have to be under separate ownership under U.S...
s - Insurers
- Fixed income research
- Credit Research