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(Bloomberg) -- Silicon Valley Bank had just collapsed and Blackstone Inc.'s dealmakers saw an opportunity. Read more: Apollo and Rivals pushed aside in scrum to own piece of SVB When SVB came up for sale, authorities hoped to steer the failed lender to another - ideally, not-too-large - bank ready to take over customer deposits. [Extracted from the article]

This section offers news briefs pertaining to money management as of March 31, 2014. An article in the magazine "Bloomberg Businessweek" provides glimpses of the day-to-day managing of Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO) by its founder Bill Gross. Investment management company BlackRock reorganizes its senior management. The institutional network SecondaryLink releases a list of the top U.S. mid-market leveraged buyout funds on the secondary market.

The article highlights the plan of the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands to overhaul is investment portfolio in 2014. Topics discussed include a 5 percent active emerging market equities mandate, potential active small cap equities, and the hiring of two global tactical asset allocation managers to split 20 percent of the portfolio's assets.

This section offers news briefs pertaining to money management in the U.S. as of March 31, 2014. A California court ruling allowed the Regents of the University of California not to disclose investment performance of venture capital funds if they do not he the information. Private equity firm Hellman Friedman plans to market its eight private equity fund. Credit and private markets firm Ares Management is planning an initial public offering (IPO).

The article reports on the plan sponsors' use of separate accounts to have asset managers agree to stronger fiduciary duties in contracts in the U.S. Topics discussed include the fee concessions of plan sponsors from asset managers, the concerns of asset managers over contract terms that involve legal liability, and the lack of access by smaller plan sponsors to separate accounts.

The article reports on developments in the U.S. asset management market as of March 17, 2014. One is the U.S. Federal Reserve announcement to reduce its monthly asset purchases. Another is the scrutiny of Och-Ziff Capital Management for a potential breach of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Another one is the move of private equity secondaries firm Paul Capital to wind down its remaining portfolio and close all but one of its offices.

The article reports that according to a new survey of asset managers, consultants and institutional investors by asset management firm SEI, most institutional investors are dissatisfied with client service from asset managers. It is noted that asset managers scored low on understanding client needs and appeared too focused on pitching new products.

The article reports that the Nevada Office of State Treasurer is looking for a master custodian who will manage the office's public assets valued at 2.7 billion dollars.