The Geneva-based private bank already has a base in Australia - which it opened recently - and this partnership appears to be another step in its regional strategy.

Union Bancaire Privée is forming a strategic partnership with Australia-based Bell Asset Management, underlying how the Swiss private bank is extending its business into the country. 

Bell AM is a global all-cap and small- and mid-cap equity specialist manager. It has an 18-year track record. Bell AM employs an active, bottom-up, fundamental, quality at reasonable price approach. It also uses environmental, social and governance-themed (ESG) approaches to investment – a growing area.

UBP recently opened an Australian branch, building on its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with asset management offices already in place in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo. UBP’s Australian business is headed by Olivier Marion who has been appointed head of business development for Australia.

“This partnership will thus enable UBP’s flagship asset management strategies to be marketed in Australia, encompassing, among other segments, fixed income – including high-yield, convertible, and emerging market bonds – as well as hedge funds, 'cat bonds', private markets, and ESG and impact investing solutions,” UBP said in a statement yesterday.

“This is an opportune moment to enter such a prestigious pension market and to offer a wide range of solid solutions to institutional investors in Australia. UBP and Bell AM share many commonalities, not only from a purely investment standpoint but also culturally, as both come from family-owned businesses,” Nicolas Faller, co-CEO Asset Management and head of institutional clients at UBP, said. 

UBP has been stepping up its Asia-Pacific strategy and this news service recently spoke to Eric Morin, CEO of its Asia business. In April, it added three senior wealth managers in Hong Kong.