Asset Managers

Can private clients still trust that their bank’s advice is objective when that bank also owns a stake in the fund house behind the recommended products? The question is becoming more pressing across Europe, including Luxembourg, where private banks and fund distributors sit at the crossroads of European asset flows.

After more than thirty years of falling rates, globalization and passive dominance, a new era is forcing investors to rethink the rules.

Morningstar finds asset managers growing organically deliver better outcomes than those pursuing mergers. Scale alone rarely benefits investors or fund performance.

The investment fund Belfius Wealth is dissolving its sub-fund JP Morgan AM Convictions, citing “structurally low performance” and “lack of investor interest” as key reasons. Belfius is offering affected investors the option to transfer to a Blackrock sub-fund.

Allianz Global Investors has announced the creation of a dedicated private markets division, appointing Edouard Jozan as head of private markets.

Roelof Salomons hit the ground running when he became Chief Strategist at Blackrock Netherlands exactly six months ago. According to him, we are at a turning point. Capital flows are shifting direction, creating tremendous opportunities for investors in Europe.

Private debt continues to expand in Luxembourg, but regulators, fund managers and legal experts warn that the market is becoming harder to navigate

Luxembourg may be leading the charge in Eltif launches under the revised framework, but elsewhere in the Benelux they are proving a tougher nut to crack.

Joseph Pinto, chief executive of M&G’s asset management division, has downplayed concerns over recent client outflows, saying the group’s long-term strategy and strong investment performance in continental Europe position it well to return to net growth in 2025.

Fannie Wurtz from Amundi Asset Management, notes that a striking number of Asian investors are channeling their savings into European funds. The French executive is also optimistic about the sector’s long-term prospects. “Several megatrends are driving the European market.”