UBP Acquires Japanese Asset Manager

Swiss-based Union Bancaire Privée has acquired a new asset manager specializing in Japanese small-cap equities.

According to a statement, UBP has acquired 100 percent of the shares issued by Angel Japan Asset Management (AM). Founded in 2001, Angel Japan AM is a Tokyo-based independent investment advisor specializing in Japanese small-cap equities.

Hirotaka Usami leads the firm and houses five 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.

Following the transfer of ownership, Hirotaka Usami will become chairman of Angel Japan AM’s newly created board of directors while current chief operating officer Ryota Bando will be appointed chief executive officer.

Angel Japan AM’s current employees are expected to remain with the firm.

Other than the changes to its governance structure and directors, there will be no changes to Angel Japan AM’s current investment process, investment philosophy, investment style and investment team.

The acquisition follows a successful partnership since 2018 with Angel Japan AM advising UBP’s Japanese small-cap equities strategy and outperforming the relevant benchmark.

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, and as to the team’s unique ability to seize them, said UBP asset management co-CEO and head of institutional clients Nicolas Faller.

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 better.