InsuranceAUM.com

Episode 236: The Future of Private Credit with Ashwin Krishnan & Jeff Levin of Morgan Stanley

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley dives into the future of private credit with Ashwin Krishnan, Managing Director, Co-Head of North American Private Credit, and Head of Opportunistic Credit, and Jeff Levin, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, and Head of Direct Lending, both at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. They explore the evolution of private credit and its growing relevance in today's financial landscape, particularly for insurance investors. Ashwin and Jeff discuss the parallels between the current state of private credit and the rise of private equity 25 years ago, highlighting how the asset class has moved from niche to mainstream. They emphasize the importance of flexibility in capital solutions and the ability to navigate various points across the capital structure to generate the best risk-adjusted returns.

 

The discussion also touches on the impact of rising interest rates on leverage ratios and how Morgan Stanley Investment Management's approach sets them apart from competitors. By leveraging the firm's vast resources and global reach, they are able to provide unique capital solutions that cater to the needs of private issuers across North America. Whether it's accessing a broader deal flow or offering value-added services like M&A advice, their platform is designed to deliver comprehensive solutions to clients. The conversation wraps up with insights into the scalability of private credit and the importance of a long-term investment perspective in this ever-evolving market.

Episode 235: Private Equity Meets Insurance: Insights from Altamont Capital's Sam Gaynor

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Sam Gaynor, Managing Director at Altamont Capital Partners, to explore the dynamic world of private equity with a focus on long-term control investments in the middle market. Sam shares insights into Altamont’s investment strategies, including their successful de novo incubation ventures and the critical role of partnering with strong management teams. The discussion delves into the innovative approaches Altamont has taken in the financial services sector, highlighting key success stories like Kuvare and Accelerant.

 

Sam also offers his perspective on the future of private equity, the evolving landscape of insurance investments, and the impact of market consolidation. With valuable takeaways for investors and industry professionals alike, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how Altamont is navigating and shaping the future of middle-market investments.

Episode 234: Avoiding Negative Yield: Flexible Co-Sourcing Models for Insurance Investment Operations

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Scott Kurland, Managing Director at SS&C Technologies, for an insightful discussion on a new concept they call "negative yield." They delve into how insurers can avoid this negative yield by adopting a flexible co-sourcing investment operating model. Scott explains how co-sourcing allows insurance companies to maintain control over core operations while outsourcing specific investment accounting and administrative tasks to a trusted partner like SS&C.

 

They explore the growing trend toward private credit and structured investments, and how these asset classes can be cumbersome to manage internally. Scott details how co-sourcing can help insurers efficiently handle complex investment portfolios, such as residential whole loans, without overwhelming internal teams. By leveraging cloud-based technology and specialized expertise, insurers can optimize their investment returns and maintain a competitive edge.

 

The conversation also touches on the importance of transparency, the use of AI in investment accounting, and how co-sourcing can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different insurers. Whether you're a CIO or a CRO considering co-sourcing, this episode offers valuable insights into how this model can enhance your investment operations.

Episode 233: Regulatory Capital Relief (RCR): A Primer with Eagle Point Credit’s Karan Chabba

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Karan Chabba, Principal and Head of Regulatory Capital Relief (RCR) and Specialty Finance at Eagle Point Credit Management. They dive deep into the evolving landscape of regulatory capital relief and synthetic risk transfer (SRT) transactions. Karan shares insights into why Eagle Point has ventured into this niche area, explaining the appeal of these structures for banks seeking to manage their capital requirements efficiently.

 

Karan also elaborates on how Eagle Point leverages its expertise across multiple credit sectors, including CLOs and structured finance, to identify and seize opportunities in both the RCR and specialty finance spaces. This episode offers a comprehensive understanding of how Eagle Point navigates the complexities of these markets, providing valuable takeaways for investors interested in exploring these unique and growing investment areas.

 

Tune in to learn more about how Eagle Point Credit Management is setting itself apart in the world of specialty finance and RCR, and why this area is gaining more attention from banks and investors alike.

Episode 232: Beyond Bridges: How Infrastructure is Reshaping Cities and Investment Portfolios

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Adam Reisler, a partner at StepStone in the infrastructure and real assets team, connecting from Australia. Together, they delve into the dynamic world of private infrastructure investment, a sector that has experienced exponential growth from $100 billion in 2009 to $1.3 trillion today.

 

Adam shares his expertise on why infrastructure is increasingly becoming a vital asset class for institutional investors, especially insurance companies with long-dated liabilities. They discuss key trends driving the infrastructure boom, such as energy transition, digital infrastructure, and the rising influence of AI. Adam also highlights the various investment strategies and structures available for those looking to enter the infrastructure space.

 

Tune in to gain valuable insights on the current and future landscape of infrastructure investing, and hear Adam's personal career journey and advice for young professionals.

Episode 231: Structured Settlements and Smart Systems: A Deep Dive with Independent Life and Loomis Sayles

In this special episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Erik Troutman, co-head of the Institutional Advisory Group at Loomis Sayles, and Dave Adams, Chief Investment Officer at Independent Life. Recorded live from the University of Chicago's Gleacher Center just before our annual symposium, this episode marks a unique setting where all participants are in the same room, fostering a dynamic and interactive discussion.

 

The conversation explores the complexities and innovations of technology implementation within life companies, with a focus on structured settlement annuities. Dave Adams shares his experiences at Independent Life, highlighting the challenges faced and the pivotal role Loomis Sayles played in integrating advanced tech solutions. Erik Troutman provides insights into how Loomis Sayles’ technology helps streamline asset and liability management, offering a clearer picture of investment strategies and risk metrics.

 

Gain valuable perspectives on managing these intricate financial instruments and learn how cutting-edge technology can enhance performance and operational efficiency in the insurance industry. 

Episode 230: The Convergence of Insurers and Asset Managers

Host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Tim Lyne, CEO and founding partner of Antares Capital. Tim shares his journey from growing up in Chicago to founding a leading direct lending firm. He reflects on the early days of Antares Capital, the challenges and rewards of starting a financial firm, and the evolution of the direct lending market.

 

Tim discusses the complexities of insurance asset management, highlighting the importance of navigating asset allocation, regulatory environments, and capital relief. He also shares his thoughts on why insurance asset management is the most sophisticated field in finance and provides valuable insights into building strategic partnerships with insurance companies.

 

Stewart and Tim explore the current trends in M&A, the growing acceptance of private credit by insurance companies, and Antares’ approach to building its insurance business. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the direct lending market, the role of insurance capital, and the importance of reliability and long-term relationships in the industry.

Episode 229: Executive Spotlight: Sara Bonesteel, Independent Director, Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes Sara Bonesteel, the recently retired Chief Investment Officer of Prudential Insurance International. Sara shares her fascinating career journey, starting from her first job in her family's furniture business in Michigan to her leadership role in international insurance investments.

 

Sara delves into her diverse experiences in finance, discussing her time at Bear Stearns in structured securities, her transition to asset management at PGIM, and her tenure as CIO. She offers insights into the complexities of different financial roles, the critical skills required to succeed, and the evolving landscape of insurance asset management.

 

Stewart and Sara also explore the challenges and rewards of being a woman in finance. Sara provides valuable advice on career development, the importance of lateral moves, and the need for diversity and inclusion in the industry. Whether you're an aspiring finance professional or a seasoned investor, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from one of the industry's respected leaders.

Episode 228: Navigating Private Credit and Alts: Insights with Chris Lyons of Voya IM

Join host Stewart Foley on the InsuranceAUM.com podcast as we dive into the world of private fixed income and alternatives with Chris Lyons, head of private fixed income and alternatives at Voya Investment Management. Chris shares his journey from humble beginnings to his current leadership role, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of private credit markets and their post-crisis adaptation.

 

This episode explores the strategic approaches to managing private credit assets in a fluctuating economic environment, addressing the challenges and opportunities within the sector. Chris discusses current interest rate trends, market liquidity, and the evolving landscape of private credit. He also offers invaluable advice for young professionals navigating their careers in finance, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and seizing opportunities.

 

Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation that sheds light on the intricacies of private fixed income and alternatives, offering practical insights for insurance investment professionals.

Episode 227: Navigating Real Estate Market Dislocation with Invesco’s Bert Crouch

Dive into the complexities of the real estate market in this informative episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast. Host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Bert Crouch, Head of North America at Invesco Real Estate, to explore current trends and challenges in the industry.

 

Bert shares his extensive knowledge on the state of real estate transactions, valuation trends, and sector-specific insights. Discover how market dislocation creates unique opportunities for non-bank lenders like Invesco and get a comparative view of global real estate markets, including Europe, the UK, and Asia.

 

Learn about the outperforming retail and single-family rental sectors, the challenges facing office spaces, and the growth of alternative sectors such as data centers. Bert also discusses managing risks and investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of embracing market cycles.

 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the real estate market's current landscape and future opportunities!