Asset Management
$226 billion (£165 billion) worth of issuance last year, up from $38 billion in 2015.
FEBRUARY
2021 Year in Review
The asset management industry responded to a second year of the Covid pandemic with further consolidation and a great focus on sustainability. JANUARY Aviva Investors appoints new chief executive Aviva Investors has promoted Mark Versey as chief executive officer for the London-headquartered asset manager, effective immediately. Versey, who previously served as chief investments officer of real assets for the asset management arm of Aviva for just under three years, will report to Amanda Blanc, CEO of the Aviva Group. Greenwashing risks rise as green bond issuances soar Aegon Asset Management has warned investors that the threat of greenwashing is rising as the number of green bonds issued soars. The asset manager said the demand for green bonds, which raise money for climate and environmental projects, reached new heights with
Winter 2020/21
BNP Paribas AM names deputy CEO BNP Paribas’ asset management business has named Sandro Pierri as deputy CEO, effective from January 1. In this newly-created role, he is based in London and reports to Frédéric Janbon, CEO of BNP Paribas Asset Management. HSBC announces aggressive expansion in Asia HSBC will “stop trying to be everything to everyone” and instead capitalise on the advantages that it has, while continuing its aggressive redundancy strategy, stated Noel Quinn, chief exec of the bank. Quinn said: “Global Banking and Market (GB&M) will retain the capacity to serve clients globally but we will invest in the markets that set us apart whilst also moving the heart of the business to Asia, including leadership.”
MARCH Amundi launches technology arm for smaller firms French asset management giant Amundi has launched a technology business to offer smaller fund managers low-cost, cloud-based access to the full range of front-to-back office solutions and services such as outsourced dealing and back office outsourcing. Amundi said the new service, called Alto, is aimed at all firms involved in savings, asset management and asset servicing, and has been launched now because smaller firms are struggling to keep pace with technology innovation. State Street offers Fund Connect ETF to all issuers State Street has made its Fund Connect
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ETF platform open to support all exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuers, regardless of their service provider. Nadine Chakar, head of State Street’s global markets business, said: “With connectivity to so many ETF sponsors and authorised participants, Fund Connect ETF is well positioned to make the workflow even more automated and efficient, accelerating the creation and redemption process.”
APRIL Sourcing liquidity is top challenge for traders - JP Morgan Sourcing liquidity is the main problem facing equities traders despite their access to liquidity having improved over the past year, a report has concluded. Some 27.9% of respondents to JP Morgan’s 2021 Equities Execution Survey said that liquidity availability was their main challenge, ahead of regulatory changes (16.4%) and the imposition of best execution requirements (12.3%).
MAY Almost a half of investors back green bonds - NN IP Nearly a half of investors think green bonds are the most effective debt product for delivering environmental objectives, according to a new study from NN Investment Partners. The Dutch ESG specialist published the results of a survey of 230 institutional investors that found some 45% of respondents believe green bonds are the most effective fixed income instrument for promoting sustainable environmental practices.
JUNE BlackRock wins British Airways pensions contract BlackRock has landed a mandate from British Airways Pensions to serve as the outsourced chief investment officer for £21.5 billion worth of assets.
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ASSET MANAGEMENT
2021 YEAR IN REVIEW | ASSET MANAGEMENT
