Fund managers are enthusiastic about the creation of a regional fund passport, since a regulatory framework of this type would multiply their business, based on the facilities for integrating investors from several countries into a single fund, selling the same fund in various markets, having a standardized tax treatment and integrating capabilities in order to compete with large international fund managers.
MILA and Asian Passport initiative spark renewed interest in integrating Latam funds business
Mohamed El-Erian to leave PIMCO in March
Mohamed El-Erian abruptly stepped down as chief executive of the giant asset manager, which has struggled to hold on to investors as demand for its bond funds wanes.
Prudential names Ezequiel Rodriguez head of Mexico
Rodriguez, whose appointment is effective immediately, is based in Mexico City, reports to Alfonso Munk, managing director and head of Latin America.
Source: Performance-fee model for Afores will not stall mandate rollout
This measure is part of a larger reform package slated to be submitted to Congress for debate in late 2014. The same package is likely to contain an increase in the international-allocation limit, which has been stuck at the 20% level since 2003.
MetLife and Citi announce global distribution agreement in 15 markets through 2025
The agreement expands upon an existing distribution agreement between MetLife and Citi that will expire in 2015. The products will be available to Latin American clients in Argentina and Brazil.
Relaunch of Colombian fund industry set for 2014
The most important changes in the new rules include allowing specialization of the various activities required to operate mutual funds, fast-tracking the authorization and distribution process for funds investing in traditional assets, and a more prominent role for custodians. In addition, non-Colombian securities registered in MILA countries would now be considered "traditional" assets.
Larrain’s institutional distribution area unaffected by brokerage flap
Distribution of foreign managers’ mutual funds grew in September, October and November, while AUMs of local mutual funds and closed-end funds held steady.
Itaú-Corpbanca deal would raise Brazilian firm’s regional profile
Corp's positioning in Colombia is what adds a special interest for Itaú, given that opportunities for expansion in the region have been difficult to come by. Price tags for financial services assets in Mexico, for example, the second largest regional market after Brazil, are relatively high. In Chile, entities are smaller given the country's small size, but opportunities for deals are scarce.
Santander Brasil is latest to offer funds with international diversification
The asset manager hopes the two funds, which launched on Jan. 6, will raise a combined BRL 600 million in the first quarter of 2014.
Colombian pension managers added a USD 1 billion to their cross-border portfolios in October
Colombian AFP pension funds added USD 580 million to their positions in cross-border securities in October, of which 80% was applied to ETFs. Purchases were concentrated in equity-oriented products to the USA and Europe. Products of State Street and iShares benefitted the most for the new inflows.








