Customer magazine universal spotlight - spring edition 2024
 
Katja Müller

Dear Readers,

Once again we have some stimulating content in store for you in the autumn edition of our newsletter spotlight.

In an interview, our new CEO Francesca McDonagh describes the strategy we will follow to achieve our goal of creating even more value for you in the future. Under her leadership, Universal Investment will continue on its chosen path – as a reliable partner that anticipates the growing needs of your business model and always has solutions on hand.

We also conducted a second key interview with Prof. Dr. Moritz Schularick of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfWK). He believes that countries across the globe are increasingly being pushed to their limits by a growing number of challenges. Significantly more private capital needs to be mobilised in several areas in order to tackle the tasks ahead.

In addition, this newsletter also provides insights into the latest developments in real estate and portfolio management as well as an update on any tax topics that may be important to you in the future.

Cyber security is a topic that all players in the financial sector need to be particularly sensitive to. In the interest of transparency, we have put together an interim report on our “DORA” (Digital Operational Resilience Act) project which aims to ensure compliance with the relevant EU requirements for digital operational resilience.

And finally, on a personal note: in line with my change of role to Multi-Supervisory Board Member of the Universal Investment Group, Jochen Meyers will be writing to you here in future in his new capacity as Group Head of Relationship Management. I would like to thank you, dear clients, for the many years of excellent cooperation. I know that you are in good hands with my successors, and I look forward to working with you again in my new role.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and the rest of the late summer. See you soon.


With kind regards,

Katja Müller

Chief Customer Officer

 
Highlights
 

Outlook

“Client focus is my top priority”

 
As a sustainable timber hybrid building, the future company headquarter creates the framework for qualitative, sustainable growth

As a sustainable timber hybrid building, the future company headquarter creates the framework for qualitative, sustainable growth

At the start of this year, Francesca McDonagh was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Universal Investment Group. Jochen Meyers, who will take on the role of Group Head of Relationship Management as of October 1, sat down with Francesca to discuss her first impressions of Universal Investment, her plans for the business, and how Germans and Irish can benefit from each other.

 
To the interview
 

Overview

‘Economic security comes at a price’

 
The challenges for politics and business are huge. Can private capital help?

The challenges for politics and business are huge. Can private capital help?

Reducing economic dependency, managing the energy transition, expanding infrastructure, promoting education as a resource, boosting defense - the sheer volume of challenges is pushing states to their limits. In numerous areas, much more private capital needs to be mobilised to tackle the tasks ahead. An interview with Prof Dr Moritz Schularick from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

 
To the interview
 

Insight

DORA aims to enhance digital operational resilience in the financial sector

 
Building resilience for digitisation

Building resilience for digitisation

A few weeks ago, the defective CrowdStrike update demonstrated that world-wide interconnected networks can have wide-reaching consequences. Also – and especially – in the financial sector, IT security is an important topic, and with the Digital Operational Resilience Act, DORA for short, the European Union intends to strengthen it.
In an interview with Managing Director Dr. André Jäger, you will find out how Universal Investment is implementing the DORA requirements to become even more resilient against cyberthreats and disruptions.

 
To the interview
 
Highlights
 
 
Tax-Update

The tax experts at Universal Investment have compiled the latest changes and provide you with an update on the following topics: Second German Future Financing Act, German Foreign Tax Act.

 
To the report
 
News Produktbereich
 

Real Estate
Sleeping Beauty: The Co-Ownership Fund

 

Although it has long been possible to include real estate in fund investment vehicles without incurring real estate transfer tax, the option has attracted little interest so far. However, under current market conditions, investors’ appetite for co-ownership funds („Miteigentumsfonds”) is growing. In contrast to the regular trust model for a real estate fund (“Immobilienspezialfonds”) in accordance with section 284 KAGB, in this variant the investor remains the registered owner in the land register (“Grundbuch”).
This allows for more efficient management of directly held properties acquired to date.
In addition, co-ownership funds provide all the general advantages of including real estate in a fund, such as balance sheet optimisation by releasing hidden reserves and the possibility of raising external capital that can be used, for example, for necessary renovations with a focus on sustainability. Involving specialised asset managers can also improve property performance as well as reduce clients’ in-house costs. If you are interested, please feel free to contact our colleagues in Sales or Relationship Management.

 

Portfolio Management
Advancing Step by Step

 

Over the past few months, our rule-based portfolio management has seen some very favourable developments: capital inflows, positive market trends, and new mandates have boosted our assets under management to over EUR 20 billion. The team remains focused on developing tailored, rule-based investment solutions that align with the varying needs of our clients. In Overlay Management, our FX Overlay Plus switched to full hedging during the US dollar depreciation, along with the risk overlay. In Trading & Advisory, the team continues to operate as a versatile multi-asset trading desk, utilizing various trading platforms to manage high trading volumes according to the best execution policy.
In recent months, we have consistently advanced rule-based automation and algorithm development.

 
Termines
 
 

Meet Universal Investment at the following events:

33. private banking kongress
18.–19.09.2024
Cruise Center Altona, Hamburg

Boutiquen Awards 2024
10.10.2024
Jügelhaus, Frankfurt

HQT Institutional Investors Forum
21.11.2024
Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof, Frankfurt

Irish Funds Annual UK Symposium
21.11.2024
Convene 133 Houndsditch, London

FONDS professionell KONGRESS
29.-30.01.2025
Rosengarten, Mannheim

Source: iStock/MicroStockHub

Universal Investment looks forward to connecting with you!

You can find more details on the Events webpage.

 
News
 

Asset management boutiques poised for international expansion – but more support needed

 
The results of the UI Boutique Asset Manager Survey 2024

The results of the UI Boutique Asset Manager Survey 2024

Frankfurt, 3. September 2024 – Universal Investment Survey reveals strategic intentions and challenges facing boutique asset managers. Over half planning to expand internationally in the next 12 to 24 months. More than a half of the participants see opportunity in equities and alternatives.

 
To press release
 

Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management selects Universal Investment Gruppe as ManCo for its SICAV portfolio

 

Luxembourg, 28. August 2024 – Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management, the newly established Luxembourg wealth management branch of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, has appointed Universal Investment Group as the new Management Company for its UCITS SICAV portfolio in Luxembourg. The partnership is strengthened by the collaboration with UI efa as the Central Administrator and the Luxembourg savings bank Spuerkeess as the Custodian. The SICAV portfolio has been successfully migrated to the Universal Investment platform.

 
To press release
 

What Holds The World Together – Investing in Infrastructure with Private Equity

 
Markus Bannwart, Head of Department Capital Markets and Fund Structuring Alternative Investments, Universal Investment

Markus Bannwart, Head of Department Capital Markets and Fund Structuring Alternative Investments, Universal Investment

30. August 2024, Frankfurt – A state cannot function smoothly without an intact infrastructure. It forms the foundation for the economic development of a society. This includes institutions and authorities, as well as transportation networks, energy supply, and the healthcare system. A comment from Markus Bannwart, Head of Department Capital Markets and Fund Structuring Alternative Investments, Universal Investment.

 
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