Allfunds Bank, the leading European fund distribution platform, will distribute the funds of the Geneva based asset management company.

The newly-signed agreement appoints Allfunds Bank as primary distributor of the DECALIA Sicav in Italy and includes DECALIA’s sub-funds in Allfunds Bank’s institutional platform used by wealth managers and funds of funds.

The DECALIA funds that will be distributed through Allfunds Bank’s sub-distributors network are two equity funds dedicated to consumer trends (DECALIA Silver Generation – ageing theme – and DECALIA Millennials – Millennials generation theme), two multi asset funds focused on quest for yield (DECALIA Active Allocation and DECALIA Conservative), and the DECALIA European Conviction equity fund, which aims to exploit the inefficiencies of European markets.

“The agreement with Allfunds Bank will strongly accelerate DECALIA’s development in Italy”, said Xavier Guillon, Partner and Head of DECALIA Funds. “DECALIA high value added funds with thematic and active investment strategies are now available on the most widespread distribution platform In Italy, which will generate new agreements with many distributors. In an increasingly standardized industry, the DECALIA strategies are very distinctive and provide real answers in the current investment environment”.

“Moreover, this agreement will allow DECALIA to enter the private banking advisory market, which constitutes an important focus of our business strategy” added Jurgen Mahler, Head of DECALIA Funds Italia. “It will also strengthen our presence in wealth management and in Italian fund of funds.”

 The Allfunds Bank Group is the leading European investment fund platform. Dedicated only to institutional clients, it offers integrated fund solutions, including operational, analysis and information services. Launched in 2000, Allfunds Bank today has assets under administration of over EUR 275 Bn and offers close to 52’000 funds from 545 fund managers.

DECALIA Asset Management has recruited Claudia Eftimie as Region Head for the development of its asset management business in German-speaking Switzerland. Claudia Eftimie has more than 17 years’ experience in buy-side analysis and institutional sales with several major Swiss asset managers. After French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, DECALIA is now tackling the Swiss-German market. The strategies developed by DECALIA focus on four promising long-term investment themes: disintermediation in the European banking sector, the search for yield, new consumption trends and market inefficiencies in Europe. These investment solutions, most of which are available in the UCITS format, also come in the form of mandates and alternative financing strategies.

Claudia Eftimie started her career in 1994 in financial analysis, first at Lombard Odier and then with Julius Baer. In 2004, she joined SYZ Asset Management, where she developed the OYSTER franchise in German-speaking Switzerland and German-speaking countries until 2011. After an entrepreneurial project between 2012 and 2014, she joined Bellevue Asset Management as Head of fund sales for distributors and major institutional clients. Having graduated in economics from the University of St. Gallen, Claudia Eftimie gained the CFA certification in 1998.

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In this interview published in the latest issue of Market magazine, Alfredo Piacentini explains why Swiss private banking still has a bright future.

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A few days after the announcement of the acquisition of the Italian asset manager Astor Investment Advisors, DECALIA Asset Management is implementing its expansion plans in the Italian market with the registration of its DECALIA range of Luxembourg funds and the recruitment of Jürgen Mahler as Head of Business Development for the DECALIA funds in Italy.

The 6 UCITS strategies registered in Italy focus on 4 investment themes deemed to have high long-term potential: disintermediation in the European banking sector, the quest for yield, new consumer trends and market inefficiencies.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Jürgen Mahler is a recognized figure in the Italian funds industry. Prior to joining DECALIA, Jürgen Mahler was Country Head for Oddo Meriten Asset Management for nearly 6 years.

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DECALIA Asset Management pursues its expansion plans by establishing itself in Italy, one of its priority target markets. Indeed, DECALIA has taken over Astor Investment Advisors SIM SpA, a Milan-based asset management company. This acquisition not only allows DECALIA to set foot on the Italian market but also opens the door for further developments in other European countries, thanks to the European passport. Besides its original activity, Astor will now widen its scope to dedicate also to private wealth management and to distributing DECALIA funds.

Founded in Milan in 2008 by Francesco Marini Clarelli and Jody Vender, Astor Investment Advisors SIM specializes in thematic investing. Focused on a few selected themes offering long-term potential, this approach is implemented through a hedge fund and a UCITS fund, both created under Italian law. The firm now comprises 6 employees. but several hirings are planned in the short term in order to carry on the expansion plans after the take-over to reach around ten people. Following the acquisition, the company will change its name to DECALIA Asset Management SIM SpA. The transaction, the price of which was not disclosed, has been approved by the Bank of Italy..

 « Italy represents a major market in Europe et is one of our priority targets. We had planned to expand there since the beginning and, thanks to this acquisition, this has now been accomplished in the best possible way. Francesco Marini Clarelli and Jody Vender are two major figures of the Italian financial centre » said Alfredo Piacentini, Partner and CEO of DECALIA. Francesco Marini Clarelli added : « The asset management industry values the concentration of strengths and we were looking for a buyer able to perpetuate Astor’s values and to carry on a new stage in its development. We have found the ideal partner in DECALIA ».

Investissement : éloge de la lenteur

UN ŒIL SUR LA PLACE Dans un monde de l’investissement où tout va toujours plus vite, il faudrait sans doute retrouver le goût de la lenteur. Alors que les placements conventionnels n’offrent plus guère de rentabilité, pourquoi ne pas revenir aux investissements directs, qui sont à l’origine du métier de banquier privé ?

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DECALIA Asset Management is one of the two finalists shortlisted for the “WealthBriefing Swiss Awards 2017” in the “External Asset Managers” category.

The winner will be announced during the gala awards dinner to be held on 9 February 2017 at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva.

The awards recognise the best wealth managers in the Swiss private client industry.

M. Rodolfo De Benedetti, Partner at DECALIA AM & Chairman of CIR group, and Professor Valerio Onida, former judge for the Italian constitutional court, share their insights with Dr. Philippa Malmgren, economic analyst (president of the Canonbury group), to help us understand the complex issues involved in the upcoming Italian Referendum on December 4th. Whatever the outcome, be prepared for a global market reaction.

DECALIA has recruited Clément Maclou to manage its two thematic funds “DECALIA Silver Generation” and “DECALIA Millennials”. He will head a team of three people dedicated to changes in consumer trends related to generational changes. Before joining DECALIA, Clément Maclou spent 7 years building a strong track record in the area of new consumer trends, with performances for a fund dedicated to population ageing that earned him a 5-star ranking with Morningstar and an AA rating with Citywire. With this recruitment and assets under management that now stand at CHF 2 billion, DECALIA pursues its development strategy centered on two complementary areas: private wealth management and asset management.

Media release