Pwm invited seven leading figures to discuss the different uses of ETFs in the European wealth management space and the major hurdles the industry must still overcome.

Forces of nature increase influence on investment returns

PWM invited seven leading figures in private banking and asset management to discuss the role climate change and sustainable investing considerations are having within the industry. Topics covered included the key drivers for sustainable investing and the prevalence of thematic funds. Elisa Trovato leads the discussion

Elisa Trovato

Welcome to the roundtable about climate change and sustainable investing. The aim for today’s discussion is to assess the impact of climate change on investment decisions.

Elisa Trovato

Matt, what do you think are the fundamental drivers of the climate change theme that will be turning up in the year ahead, perhaps from the regulatory point of view? Are there any major initiatives underway?

Elisa Trovato

Looking at the at the government policies in the clean energy sector, what is the impact of subsidies on market efficiency? For example, in the US there are concerns about long-term legislative support for renewables, which is undermining the growth of the industry, as all the green jobs, and a lot of investments are going to places like China and Germany, where they have long-term programs.

Elisa Trovato

Themes, such as those related to water scarcity or clean energy, are easy to understand and to explain, they often incorporate an ethical or responsible investing component and meet investors’ increasing interest in this area. Are thematic funds still the most powerful means to draw investors’ interest in this area?

Elisa Trovato

Is that any clear evidence that can explode the myth that responsible investments under-perform?

And how important is the feel-good factor for clients to invest in sustainable investments?

Elisa Trovato

In emerging markets, is there enough data available for identifying companies with high standards of sustainability, in order to limit the sustainability risk?

Elisa Trovato

Today there are also many sustainable products, indices and rankings of organisations by carbon emissions. Is this growing awareness going to have a positive impact on the way asset managers manage their funds or the way investors perceive sustainable products?

The latest Vontobel study entitled "Sustainable Investing in Asia - Uncovering Opportunities and Risks" shows that investors are significantly underestimating the topic of sustainability in Asia as there is a very high return potential for sustainable investments in the Asian region (excl. Japan) and the volume could increase from the current USD 20 billion up to USD 4,000 billion.

Forces of nature increase influence on investment returns

PWM invited seven leading figures in private banking and asset management to discuss the role climate change and sustainable investing considerations are having within the industry. Topics covered included the key drivers for sustainable investing and the prevalence of thematic funds. Elisa Trovato leads the discussion

Joe Bannister, MFSA

PWM invited seven leading figures in private banking and asset management to discuss the changing business models in the industry. Topics covered included the pitfalls of poorly conceived M&A activity, a lack of transparency surrounding fee levels and increasing levels of regulation. Yuri Bender directs the debate.

Ash Misra, Lloyds TSB

PWM invited eight leading figures in private banking and asset management to debate the optimum ways to construct portfolios that offer global exposure for private clients. Topics discussed include taking a top-down or bottom-up approach, how to identify the best stocks and how to mange risk. Elisa Trovato directs the debate.

Marilou Calara, Citi

Since their initial launch, Ucits III structures have become popular among fund providers and both retail and institutional customers, but question marks still hang over latest interpretations of the directive, under which fund houses are now packaging hedge funds for retail consumption. PWM invited eight leading figures in private banking and asset management to discuss the proliferation of these vehicles, the continued importance of due diligence and what the future may hold. Yuri Bender directs the debate.

Robert Haugen, Alfred Berg

PWM hosted a discussion with Professor Robert Haugen, inventor of the Minimum Variance quantitative investment concept, at the end of June in London. Professor Haugen’s discoveries shook the world of portfolio management from the 1960s onwards, but were never popular with the investment and business school establishment.

Richard Carlyle, Capital International

PWM invited eight leading thinkers in private banking and asset management to comment on the currently popular emerging markets investment theme, to discuss the drivers behind performance and to assess the risks lurking on the horizon in an asset class, that despite common perception, is far from homegenous and much more fragmented than many commentators care to admit

PWM invited eight senior representatives of wealth management institutions and a major technology provider to the industry to FT headquarters in London. The purpose of this roundtable event was to examine the impact of the financial crisis on business models, to look at latest thinking in asset allocation and determine how operating efficiency can be best achieved, while offering a good-value proposition to private clients. Yuri Bender directs the discussion