MONTREAL, May 17, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optimum Financial Group is proud to announce the closing of an acquisition agreement for the assets and the seasoned team of Hillswick Asset Management, a firm based in Stamford, Connecticut. This transaction diversifies the Group’s asset management activities in the United States, focused on life reinsurance until now. It confirms its commitment to develop asset management globally, in collaboration with its subsidiaries established in Canada and in France.
Hillswick Asset Management has thus transferred to the company Optimum Quantvest Corporation over 1.1 billion Canadian dollars (US $815M) under management, as part of US bonds and equity mandates, on behalf of pension funds, insurance companies, governmental entities and investment platforms.
“I would like to welcome the Hillswick team who shares our values of expertise, rigor and client proximity,” says Anabelle Blondeau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Optimum Group Inc. “This expansion presents a growth opportunity in asset management that will thereby enable us to offer complementary services to our American clients.”
“I am thrilled to onboard the much experienced Hillswick team whose talents are complementary to our current excellent asset management teams,” continues Claude Lamonde, President, Optimum Quantvest Corporation. “Their great expertise of the US market will enhance our global investment processes, already very solid, which will be beneficial to our Canadian and European clients.”
“Our whole team is delighted to join Optimum, the ideal partner to accelerate our growth and ensure the continuity of our activities,” commented Anders Ekernas, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Hillswick Asset Management, LLC. “We are thrilled to join a financial group that is solid and diversified, with established teams in asset management and a state-of-the-art technology which will advantage our clients.”
The asset management subsidiaries of Optimum share a unique technology developed by internal teams. This technology offers a dynamic big data ecosystem that analyzes thousands of securities and reads financial reports to quickly identify the best market opportunities.
About Hillswick Asset Management
Hillswick Asset Management is based in Stamford (CT, United States) and manages investment mandates totaling over 1.1 billion Canadian dollars (US $815M) for its institutional clients mainly originating from the United States and Sweden. The Hillswick team fosters a conservative approach based on the thorough analysis of macro-economic factors.
About Optimum Quantvest Corporation
Optimum Quantvest Corporation is a new subsidiary of the Group that is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and provides investment management advisory services. www.optimumquantvest.com
About Optimum Asset Management
Since nearly 35 years, Optimum Asset Management based in Montréal (QC, Canada) manages investment mandates for institutional and private wealth clients. It counts over 6.3 billion Canadian dollars (US $4.7B) in assets under management. It integrates a technology and quantitative models to a rigorous and proven process of active management. www.optimumgestion.com
About Optimum Gestion financière
Since over 20 years, Optimum Gestion financière based in Paris (France) manages mutual fund trusts, including a Canadian equity one, for institutional and private investors. The team applies a structured investment process focused on capital protection. www.optimumfinanciere.fr
About Optimum Financial Group
Optimum Financial Group celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Since 1969, the Group is dedicated to the financial security of its clients. Global and privately-owned, it is diversified in the sectors of life insurance, general insurance, life reinsurance, actuarial consulting, asset management, and real estate. The Group has over 585 employees in subsidiaries mainly across Canada, the United States and in France. Its revenues generate 850 million Canadian dollars (US $630M), its assets exceed 4.7 billion Canadian dollars (US $3.5B) and its assets under management totaling 7.5 billion Canadian dollars (US $5.6B). www.optimumgroup.com
For further information, please contact:
Stéphanie Alison Berthiaume
Director, Communications and Culture
Optimum Group Inc.
+1 514 288-2010
SBerthiaume@Groupe-Optimum.com