The Italian bank is busy hiring as it prepares to launch a wealth management business in China next year, its first in Asia. It already holds stakes in local firms, but will face fierce competition.
The city plans to raise permits for its cross-border investment scheme to 15 this year as competition intensifies with Shanghai and Qingdao, which offer similar programmes.
Five foreign fund managers have been given $100 million quotas under Shanghai's alternatives investment scheme. The new QDLP batch is more diverse and includes real estate managers and funds of hedge funds.
Extending the alternative investment programme for foreign fund houses from Shanghai to Qingdao may stir up provincial rivalry, argues an analyst from Z-Ben Advisors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
De-risking and green securitisation will help unlock much-needed institutional capital for sustainable infrastructure projects in Asia, say executives at multilateral development banks.
The Canadian and Korean asset management operations of two life insurers have agreed to jointly take advantage of rising institutional investor demand for Asian alternative assets.
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.
The Hong Kong-listed shares of mainland companies should receive more interest as Chinese pensions and global investors seek to benefit from relatively low valuations.