The new location is the firm's tenth office globally. Focused on sales and account management, the Frankfurt center serves RiskMetrics Group clients in Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on the specific needs of the European market.

The office is led by Dag Wright, RiskMetrics Group's Head of Northern Europe, who was previously based in RiskMetrics Group's London office. Wright commented: "Given the extraordinarily active financial regulatory environment in this part of the world, it is critical that RiskMetrics Group is able to move quickly on our clients' behalf."

Several new regulatory requirements introduced by the German Federal Authority for Financial Services Supervision have made portfolio risk management a focal point in the European financial marketplace. Among the new requirements, financial institutions must now provide daily risk reporting and stress testing for all retail investor portfolios. RiskMetrics Group has emerged as an early leader in the space by developing a variety of risk management and reporting capabilities in accordance with the new directives. Area clients currently utilizing the firm's solutions include Deka Investment GmbH and MEAG MUNICH ERGO AssetManagement GmbH.

Initially staffed by a team of sales personnel, the Frankfurt office will ultimately become home to a full-service staff that will include sales, account management and operations personnel. The office is located in Frankfurt's banking district on Mainzer Landstrasse.