Many foreign fund managers are pinning their China distribution strategies on the WFOE scheme. But the programme's limitations pose familiar problems for scaling the business.
Chinese regulators are putting up unnecessary barriers to fund managers wanting to take advantage of mutual recognition of funds between Hong Kong and the mainland, believe industry experts.
Regulators have approved a scheme to allow funds to be distributed between Hong Kong and Britain. We asked four funds experts what the prospects are for this new arrangement.
The country’s trial rules on pension products should encourage Hong Kong managers to reconsider opportunities to sell funds through the mutual recognition scheme.
Harvest Global Investments has qualified for the Switzerland-Hong Kong mutual recognition of funds scheme, but the hard work is to come – and it will take time.
CPPIB, Omers and OTPP are busy hiring in the region for investment talent in credit, real assets and particularly equities. Omers is also planning to add office space in Singapore.
China Pacific Insurance appoints new chairwoman, COO; AMP's CEO to leave by third quarter; Robeco announces duo in senior China roles; Axa IM hires head of institutional sales for Asia; GLP names co-president for logistics; BlackRock sells onshore Korea distribution business; Income Partners poaches head of distribution from Vanguard; and more.
Although sustainable funds have seen increasing inflows amid growing environmental awareness and the spotlight on social issues due to Covid-19, the industry still lacks a standard definition of sustainable investing. Nicholette MacDonald-Brown, head of European blend equities at Schroders, explains the firm’s three-pronged approach of people, process and purpose.
The Singapore state fund recently bought into impact investing specialist LeapFrog, and is eyeing more investments that combine strong financial returns with a positive social effect.
Special purpose acquisition companies (Spacs) have gained ground as financing vehicles for companies looking to go public. But Asian family offices have yet to make many investments.
Swiss Re hires head of China asset management business; BlackRock deregisters its China WFOE; DWS names head of Apac insurance coverage; Amundi appoints first Asia sustainability officer; Manulife IM appoints senior portfolio manager for asset allocation; Morgan Stanley IM hires portfolio manager for A-shares; and more.
Asset owners are interested in sustainable investments but they lack enough peer benchmarks and suitable products, according to a World Economic Forum white paper.