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iCapital® to Acquire US Alternative Investments Feeder Fund Platform from UBS

Rhea-AI Impact
(Low)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Very Positive)
Rhea-AI Summary

UBS has entered into a definitive agreement with iCapital for the acquisition of UBS Fund Advisor LLC, its proprietary US alternative investment management division, overseeing US$7 billion in client assets. This transfer allows iCapital to manage a variety of feeder funds, enhancing operational efficiency. UBS Financial Advisors will continue to support high-net-worth clients. The transaction aims to close in the second half of 2022, although financial terms were not disclosed. The partnership strengthens UBS's commitment to client service and streamlined operations.

Positive
  • iCapital will manage over US$7 billion in client assets, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • UBS Financial Advisors can now focus on providing tailored advice to clients.
  • Strengthening strategic partnership with iCapital aligns with UBS's client service goals.
Negative
  • None.

UBS outsources feeder fund management to iCapital, supporting advisors’ focus on client outcomes

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- iCapital1, the leading global fintech platform driving access and efficiency in alternative investing for the asset and wealth management industries, and UBS (NYSE: UBS) today announced they entered into a definitive agreement whereby iCapital will acquire UBS Fund Advisor LLC, UBS’s legacy proprietary US alternative investment manager and the feeder fund platform it manages. The platform, generally referred to as “AlphaKeys Funds,” represents more than US$7 billion in client assets.

With this transaction, iCapital will assume the management and operation of the platform, which includes private equity, hedge fund and real estate feeder funds. UBS Financial Advisors will continue to serve their high and ultra-high net worth clients that hold feeder funds as they always have, providing advice and solutions to help meet their unique needs and financial goals.

“iCapital has a long-standing global relationship with UBS through which we utilize our market-leading technology to facilitate the management of their direct and feeder funds on a single platform and offer their advisors the tools they need to be successful,” said Lawrence Calcano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iCapital. “We are thrilled to expand that relationship to include management of UBS Fund Advisor and the feeder fund platform.”

“This agreement underscores the importance of having partners like iCapital, with aligned values and priorities to support clients’ financial goals,” said Jerry Pascucci, Global Co-Head of Alternative Investment Solutions at UBS Global Wealth Management. “iCapital is uniquely qualified to manage the on-going operations of this platform and service our clients’ existing investments, enabling us to help our financial advisors focus on what’s important – providing personalized advice and solutions to their clients.”

In 2017, UBS became an investor in iCapital and entered into a strategic relationship with the firm to structure new feeder funds for UBS to distribute going forward. At that time, UBS also integrated iCapital’s proprietary technology into its private fund operations to streamline and automate its alternative investment offerings. In 2021, the strategic partnership was enhanced to further digitize the UBS Advisor experience, improving the information and analytics of clients’ private market investments across its international locations, including Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2022. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About iCapital
Founded in 2013, iCapital is the leading global fintech company powering the world’s alternative investment marketplace. iCapital has transformed the way the wealth management, banking, and asset management industries facilitate access to private markets investments for their high-net-worth clients by providing intuitive, end-to-end technology and service solutions; education tools and resources; and robust diligence, compliance, and portfolio analytics capabilities. iCapital’s solutions enable organizations to streamline and scale their alternative investments operational infrastructure and to provide access to direct investments and feeder funds at lower minimums through simplified digital workflows. iCapital-managed platforms offer wealth advisors and their high-net-worth clients access to an extensive menu of private investments including equity, credit, real estate, infrastructure, structured investments, annuities and risk-managed solutions. iCapital has been recognized on the Forbes FinTech 50 list in each year 2018 through 2022, the Forbes America’s Best Startup Employers in 2021 and 2022, and MMI/Barron’s Industry Awards as Solutions Provider of the Year in 2020 and 2021. As of July 31, 2022, iCapital services more than US$136 billion in global client assets, of which more than US$32 billion are from international investors (non-US Domestic), across more than 1,080 funds. Employing more than 1,000 people globally, iCapital is headquartered in NYC and has offices worldwide including in Zurich, London, Lisbon, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Toronto.

For additional information, please visit the iCapital website at www.icapitalnetwork.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icapital-network-inc | Twitter: @icapitalnetwork

See disclosures here.

About UBS
UBS convenes the global ecosystem for investing, where people and ideas are connected and opportunities brought to life, and provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as to private clients in Switzerland. UBS offers investment solutions, products and impactful thought leadership, is the leading global wealth manager, provides large-scale and diversified asset management, focused investment banking capabilities, and personal and corporate banking services in Switzerland. The firm focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their target markets, are capital efficient and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook.

UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 30% of its employees working in the Americas, 30% in Switzerland, 19% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 21% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs more than 72,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

1 Institutional Capital Network, Inc. and its affiliates (together, “iCapital”)

iCapital Media Contact

Morgan Miller

919-602-2806

icapital@neibartgroup.com

UBS Media Contact

Erica Chase

212-713-1302

erica.chase@ubs.com

Source: iCapital

FAQ

What is the significance of the UBS and iCapital acquisition?

The acquisition allows iCapital to manage UBS's alternative investment platform, enhancing efficiency for UBS Financial Advisors.

How much client assets are being transferred in the UBS and iCapital deal?

The deal involves the transfer of over US$7 billion in client assets.

When is the UBS and iCapital transaction expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2022.

What types of funds will iCapital manage under the UBS deal?

iCapital will manage private equity, hedge fund, and real estate feeder funds.

What impact does the UBS acquisition have on its Financial Advisors?

UBS Financial Advisors will be able to concentrate more on personalized advice for high-net-worth clients.

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