providing reports, and any other inadequacies in other client service functions could impact client relationships, result in financial losses and potentially give rise to regulatory actions and claims against us.
We depend on third-party service providers and other key vendors for various fund administration, accounting, custody, risk analytics, market data, market indices and transfer agent roles, and other distribution and operational needs. If our third-party service providers or other key vendors fail to fulfill their obligations, experience service interruptions, cease providing their services on short notice or otherwise provide inadequate service, it could lead to operational and regulatory problems, including with respect to certain of our products, which could result in losses, enforcement actions, or reputational harm, and which could negatively impact our AUM, results of operations and financial condition.
Our inability to recover successfully, should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem, could cause material financial loss, regulatory actions, legal liability and/or reputational harm.
Significant portions of our business operations and those of our critical third-party service providers are concentrated in a few geographic areas, including the UK, the U.S., Luxembourg and Australia. Should we, or any of our critical service providers, experience a significant local or regional disaster or other event that disrupts business continuity, such as an earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, terrorist attack, epidemic or other natural or man-made disaster, our continued success will depend in part on the safety and availability of our personnel, our office facilities and the proper functioning of our technology, computer, telecommunications and other systems and operations that are critical to our business. We have developed various backup systems and contingency plans, but no assurance can be given that they will be adequate in all circumstances that could arise or that material interruptions and disruptions will not occur. In addition, we will rely to varying degrees on outside vendors for disaster recovery support, and no assurance can be given that these vendors will be able to perform in an adequate and timely manner. If we, or any of our critical service providers, are unable to respond adequately to such an event in a timely manner, we may be unable to continue our business operations, which could damage our reputation and lead to a loss of customers and have an adverse effect on our AUM, revenue and net income.
Negative changes in our credit ratings and global market volatility may impair our ability to obtain financing and may increase our borrowing costs.
Our ability to access the capital markets, as well as our borrowing costs under our credit facility, depend significantly on our credit ratings and credit outlook. Changes in our credit ratings or credit outlook, which are determined by rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service, as well as global market volatility, could cause us to incur higher borrowing costs or to have greater difficulty in accessing the capital markets. In addition, volatility in global financial and capital markets may also affect our ability to access the capital markets in a timely manner.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Regulatory and governmental examinations and/or investigations, litigation and the legal risks associated with our business could adversely impact our AUM, increase costs and negatively impact our profitability and/or our future financial results.
From time to time, we receive and respond to regulatory and governmental requests for documents or other information, subpoenas, examinations and investigations in connection with our business activities. In addition, from time to time, we are named as a party in litigation. Even if claims made against us are without merit, litigation typically is an expensive process. Risks associated with legal liability often are difficult to assess or quantify and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time. Among other things, such matters may result in fines, censure, legal damages, suspension of personnel, revocation of licenses and reputational damage, which may reduce our sales and increase redemptions. Eventual exposures from and expenses incurred relating to any examinations, investigations, litigation, and/or settlements could adversely impact our AUM, increase costs and/or negatively impact our profitability and financial results. Allegations, findings or judgments of wrongdoing by regulatory or governmental authorities or in litigation against us, or settlements with respect thereto, could affect our