PineBridge Banks on Growing Interest in Asian Investments
Global asset manager PineBridge maintains a strategic focus on Asian investments. Its Zurich office is playing a vital role in its European strategy. Recently, the appointment of a new Head of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria and a Client Relations Manager has strengthened its presence.
With a legacy rooted in the insurance industry, PineBridge originated as the asset management arm of American insurer AIG, is fostering strong connections with institutional investors, particularly within the insurance sector.
Headquartered in New York, the company oversees $203 billion in assets, with approximately two-thirds allocated to the Asia-Pacific region. Around 80 percent of these assets are split evenly between fixed income and equity investments.
In May 2024, Mick Schneider took on the role of Head of Switzerland. Reflecting on his decision to join the company, Schneider tells finews.ch: “The depth of PineBridge’s expertise and capabilities within fixed income, equity, and private assets was a major draw. The highly sophisticated investor base in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria have a robust appetite for actively managed, high-quality assets.”
Significant Demand
“Our three-person Zurich team is responsible for the Swiss market and also covers Liechtenstein and Austria,” Schneider continues. “I believe there’s significant demand in the region for high-quality fixed income. We also have a team member dedicated to private equity investments within PineBridge Private Funds Group. Despite our nibble size, we maintain strong and longstanding client relationships.”
Schneider emphasizes PineBridge’s heritage in insurance and its focus on institutional clients. “Historically pension funds and insurance companies were our primary clients, followed by global and private banks as well as single and multi-family offices. Most of our assets remain in segregated mandates,” he notes. “However, in recent years, we’ve diversified our business– one example being our highly successful UCITS platform with flagships such as Asia Bonds and Global Equities managing nearly $5 billion in fund assets.”
Diversity is Asias Strength
Omar Slim, Portfolio Manager and Co-Head of Asia Fixed Income at PineBridge, sees unique potential in the Swiss market. “There’s a high level of expertise in Switzerland,” Slim says. “I regularly engage with investors here who are interested in high-quality fixed income opportunities across Asia.”
Omar Slim (Image: PineBridge)
Slim believes PineBridge’s strong Asian footprint sets it apart from competitors. “Asia is integral to our capabilities, which is somewhat rare among global asset management firms. We have significant teams based in Singapore and Hong Kong, with expertise across fixed income, select equity strategies, private credit, and multi-asset solutions”
Asia’s diversity is a key asset, according to Slim: “Asia encompasses highly developed, emerging, and frontier economies,” he explains. “While countries like Japan, Korea, and Australia are clearly developed, many parts of the region are still considered emerging. But quality investment opportunities exist across Asia, often with strong metrics and good transparency. The traditional EM/DM distinctions feel outdated here.”
Interest from Europe, especially Switzerland, in Asian investments continues to grow. “Swiss and European investors are increasingly drawn to high-quality and high-yield fixed income opportunities in Asia,” Slim remarks. “We’ve been positively surprised by the interest from private banks in the region, particularly in Switzerland.”
Compelling risk-adjusted Returns
Slim identifies several drivers behind this growing interest. “First, Asia’s economic bloc is expanding, despite recent headlines about China. The region’s average growth rate of around 5% a year makes it attractive for investors seeking exposure outside traditional stock markets, increasingly toward fixed income. Second, Asia’s risk profile, particularly in the investment-grade segment, offers compelling risk-adjusted returns. Some of our core fixed-income and equity strategies have delivered steady performance, further fueling investor interest and contributing to our growth.”
By focusing on opportunities and actively managing investments, PineBridge has been able to successfully navigate challenges in the region, including the recent turbulence in China’s property market and slower-than-expected economic growth, Slim points out.
