One of the largest asset management companies in Southeast Asia, Lion Global Investors’ core competency is in managing Asian equities and fixed income on behalf of institutional and retail investors worldwide. Established in 1986, their strong parentage and in-depth knowledge of Asian markets have contributed to their significant presence in Asia for 33 years. As at September 30, 2019, Lion Global Investors managed group assets worth USD42.3 billion.
The company has a team of highly experienced fund managers and analysts serving its clients. More than half of the group members are accredited by the Chartered Financial Analyst. Lion Global Investors consistently ranks among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance.
In 2008, Lion Global Investors set up its branch in Brunei Darussalam, offering a variety of investment and asset management products. Lion Global Investors provides customers institutional solutions with its core strategies and investment process.
The company has a flexible approach to Asian equity markets, given its oscillating nature and a robust fixed income team. Included in its investment process is integrated risk management, effectively protecting capital and its clients’ investments.
State Street’s venture into the Asia-Pacific region began more than 25 years ago, in line with the company’s goal of increasing its non-US revenue. Today, the company has successfully established itself, with more than 10,000 employees throughout the region.
Responsible for more than 10 per cent of the world’s assets, the American-based financial services company tapped into the Bruneian market in 2011, its third office in the Southeast Asian region after Singapore and Malaysia to solidify its presence in the Asia Pacific market.
In February 2019, State Street opened their new office at the Pavo Point building in the capital. The company’s physical presence in Brunei illustrates its dedication in entering the local market and meeting its clients’ needs.
The office offers State Street’s full range of financial services to corporate clients such as investment servicing; investment research and trading; investment management; and support for clients through client servicing and relationship management.
Additionally, State Street acts as a gateway for international fund managers interested in Brunei for investment opportunities. Apart from investment services, State Street is also committed to Brunei’s financial development.
In 2016, State Street signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) to boost financial literacy among local students, signifying a collaborative partnership in various programmes such as competitions, talks and internship opportunities.
Headquartered in Singapore, UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) established its Brunei subsidiary called UOBAM Brunei in 2007. UOBAM Brunei offers a range of investment solutions including unit trust products across asset classes and geographies to meet different investment needs and goals. In March 2018, UOBAM launched the award-winning United SGD Fund for retail and institutional investors in Brunei seeking regular returns. The United SGD Fund invests in investment grade bonds with different maturity dates across a three-year timeframe.
This smoothens out the impact of fluctuating interest rates. The United SGD fund is a recognised Collective Investment Scheme by the country’s financial regulator Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD). Retail investors can approach Baiduri Capital, the appointed distributor of the fund.
In May 2017, the Brunei Darussalam Capital Market Association (BCMA) was launched. The members are made up of capital market, finance and investment product and service providers licensed to conduct capital market activities in Brunei. The BCMA’s objectives include supporting capital growth and market integrity in Brunei and to promote financial and investment literacy.
Through AMBD, the Brunei government has been issuing short-term Sukuk Al-Ijarah. Sukuk are Syariah-compliant financial products that create returns similar to fixed-income instruments, like bonds. However, unlike bonds, Sukuk does not collect interest. This explains Sukuk’s growing popularity not just in economies with Islamic Banking, but also in the global market.
The government has issued over BND13.34 billion worth of short-term Sukuk Al-Ijarah securities since the maiden offering on April 6, 2006. The total holdings of the Brunei government Sukuk outstanding as at December 5, 2019 stood at BND322 million.
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