As reported by Pensions & Investments, the Arkansas Teachers Retirement System has committed $30 million to an alternative asset manager specializing in appraisal opportunities. Further highlighting the focus on appraisal, the Fund committed an additional $30 million to a different fund, but agreed to expand that fund to include appraisal.

As we’ve blogged about before, appraisal can be both a critical investor protection and a viable way for investors to increase returns in M&A deals. The past several years have seen more institutional investors getting involved in appraisal – something some have suggested is part of the duties they have to their beneficiaries.