As HSBC Australia continues its expansion into the superannuation sector, it has announced a partnership with the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST).
HSBC Australia would collaborate with AIST to help inform super fund members of key industry trends and insights that could assist with international mandates.
“Australian super funds’ increasing focus on offshore investment is absolutely the right strategic decision for their members given the projected size of AUM by the end of the decade,” said Nick Wheeler, head of markets and securities services for Australia and New Zealand, HSBC.
“Our knowledge of global markets combined with our suite of solutions including global asset management, securities services and access to public and private investments means we’re uniquely placed to assist asset owners and managers on their investments decisions and we believe AIST is the ideal partner and platform to deliver this insight to the industry.”
HSBC Australia was currently the largest sub-custodian in Australia with over $1.6 trillion in assets under custody. Through the partnership, it would look to expand its services with super funds in areas like asset management and securities services.
The new partnership followed a significant period of change within Australia’s super industry with funds pivoting to in-house investment and asset management decisions and investing in international public and private assets.
“We appreciate the support provided and value added for our member funds across the profit-to-member sector by our partners, particularly by HSBC with its global reach, broad service offering and expertise in offshore markets at a time when our member funds are increasing their global investments,” said AIST CEO Eva Scheerlinck.
The strength of the US economy has driven “an extremely pleasing” result for the Australian sovereign wealth fund.
The industry superannuation fund-owned global private markets manager is set to launch three new private market strategies backed by the UK’s largest pension scheme.
The $92 billion fund has pinpointed key megatrends that are expected to disrupt markets in the coming years.
Brighter Super’s Index Balanced pension option delivered 16.76 per cent in calendar year 2024, while its Stable pension option returned 8.02 per cent.