Investor requirements rather than performance is driving ESG push: Creditflux survey
Only 14% of respondents to Creditflux's global credit ESG survey said performance was the main reason they were adopting envoronmental, social and governance-themed strategies

ResponsAbility closes impact securitisation at $175 million
ResponsAbility, a Zurich-headquartered impact assessment manager, has closed a $175 million securitisation of loans to microfinance and SME-finance providers in emerging markets

Ontario pension selects new president and CEO

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has appointed Jo Taylor as its new president and chief executive officer, effective 1 January  

Credit funds at a glance

First Abu Dhabi Bank pushes into credit derivatives with trading head hire
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is making a foray into credit derivatives and has hired an experienced credit trader to lead the initiative

Florida-based manager revives plan for rare emerging markets CBO
RVX Asset Management has launched an unusual securitisation backed by emerging markets debt, according to market sources

Border to Coast pension seeks exposure to UK investment grade credit
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership is set to begin a manager selection process, seeking UK investment grade credit and global multi-asset credit funds  

Largest UK pension appoints new CEO of investments
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has appointed a new chief executive officer of its investment management business  

US pension backs Hong Kong-based credit fund manager
The San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System has approved a commitment of $200 million to Arkkan Opportunities Feeder Fund II

US pension tenders emerging markets debt mandate
The City of Medford Retirement Board has launched a request for proposals (RFP), searching investment management firms, for a $8 million emerging markets debt blended currency mandate.  

NNIP and FMO gain $250 million for emerging markets loan fund
The pair are aiming for a $750 million second close later this year

Ostrum hires Mizuho's Asian structured finance head for private debt expansion in Hong Kong
Ostrum Asset Management has bolstered its Asia-Pacific operations by launching a Hong Kong subsidiary focused on private debt

Carmignac adds global credit Ucits strategy to its range
The fund will be co-managed by Carignac’s head of credit Pierre Verlé and fixed income fund manager Alexandre Deneuville

US institution eyes credit as part of private equity expansion
University System of New Hampshire (USNH) looks to add credit commitments into its private equity portfolio, as part of the asset class new target allocation.

Dubai-based manager boosts private debt unit with managing director
Gulf Credit Partners, the private debt platform at Gulf Capital, has appointed a managing director from NBK Capital Partners 

Illiquid credit boost returns for PensionDanmark
PensionDanmark has generated 5.8% returns from its illiquid credit portfolio for the year 2018, according to its latest annual report published today. But its liquid credit portfolio took a 3.4% hit

It’s going to be a credit picker’s market
Our panel of experts believe that the credit market will be volatile this year, but there will be opportunities in European credit and additional tier one bonds, trups CDOs and unitranches

Muzinich poaches Neuberger Berman MD for top fund distribution role
Muzinich has hired a global head of distribution, according to an announcement today, picking up the role previously held by Joshua Hughes, who left for CIFC Asset Management in May

Mirabaud boosts emerging markets capabilities with manager acquisition
Galloway Capital Management, an emerging markets-focused hedge fund manager, has been fully acquired by Mirabaud Asset Management

Stone Harbor appoints co-CIO and high yield co-heads
Stone Harbor Investment Partners, the New York headquartered credit fund manager, has opted to share out its chief investment officer responsibilities

BNP Paribas Asset Management hires multi-strategy products head
BNP Paribas Asset Management has created a new position within its fixed income division

Milwaukee pension fund seeks emerging market debt managers
The Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) of Milwaukee Country has launched a request for proposal (RFP) seeking investment firms to manage a $52 million long-only emerging markets debt portfolio.  

Blackstone builds on multi-asset approach with fifth fund
The new vehicle will invest directly into Blackstone deals across its alternatives platform

Hermes brings in senior emerging market debt PM
Hermes Investment Management has appointed a former Jupiter Asset Management official as a senior emerging market debt portfolio manager

California pension fund seeks opportunistic credit manager
Merced County Employees’ Retirement Association is on the search for an opportunistic credit manager, according to board minutes seen by Creditflux