Tokyo (SCCIJ) – Swiss private bank Union Bancaire Privee (UBP) from Geneva has fully acquired Tokyo-based investment advisor Angel Japan Asset Management (AM) to increase business in Japan. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The Swiss private bank Union Bancaire Privee has its headquarters in Geneva.
Presence in Japan since 2005
UBP, with 140.4 billion Swiss francs assets under management, bought all shares issued by Angel Japan AM. The independent investment advisor specializes in the Japanese small-cap equities space. The transaction will see UBP further strengthen its presence in Japan and is an expression of the ambition to expand its footprint in Asia-Pacific.
UBP founded in 1969 has had a presence in Tokyo since 2005, operating through UBP Investments Co., Ltd, which provides asset management services covering traditional assets and alternative investments to clients based in Japan, as well as to global investors seeking to build Japanese exposure. With a Tier-1 capital ratio of 25.2 percent (at the end of 2021), UBP is one of the best-capitalized banks in Switzerland.
Five-year long partnership
Founded in 2001 and led by Hirotaka Usami, Angel Japan AM employs five seasoned investment professionals including four portfolio managers with an average experience of 24 years. It currently manages three strategies (IPO, New Growth and Steady Growth) with total assets under advisory of 1.2 billion dollars.
This acquisition came on the back of a successful partnership between UBP and Angel Japan AM. Since 2018, Angel Japan AM has been advising UBP Investments, the entity managing UBP’s Japanese small-cap equities strategy, which has generated attractive performances since inception and outperformed its benchmark.
Following the transfer of ownership, Hirotaka Usami will become Chairman of a newly created Board of Directors at Angel Japan AM, while Ryota Bando, the current COO, will be appointed CEO. All current employees of Angel Japan AM will remain with Angel Japan AM. Other than the changes in its governance structure and directors, there will be no change to Angel Japan AM’s current investment process, investment philosophy, investment style, and investment team.
Small-cap equity investments
Commenting on the transaction, Nicolas Faller, Co-CEO Asset Management and Head of Institutional Clients at UBP said: “The acquisition of Angel Japan AM underscores UBP’s high conviction on the investment opportunities in the global small-cap equity segment, notably in Japan. Taking on the ownership of Angel Japan AM will not only broaden our distribution channels to onshore Japanese clients but will also strengthen our in-house capabilities and value proposition to serve our offshore clients even better.”
Hirotaka Usami, Representative Director and Founder of Angel Japan AM added: “We are pleased to have found the right partner for our clients and our skilled and dedicated employees. We are confident that the on-the-ground and in-depth insights we bring to UBP will create long-term value for our clients, and support UBP’s growth ambitions in Japan and internationally.”
Text: UBP (Editing by SCCIJ)
