Argenta and Degroof Petercam Asset Management set up joint venture ARVESTAR

Thursday, November 8, 2018 —

Argenta and Degroof Petercam Asset Management (DPAM) continue their collaboration through the establishment of the management company Arvestar Asset Management (Arvestar).
Arvestar’s share capital is held by Argenta Asset Management and DPAM to the tune of 74.99% and 25.01% respectively.

Argenta has entrusted the management of its pension saving funds to DPAM since 1999. These funds are very successful, both commercially and in terms of performance. This is demonstrated by their collective assets under management, which amounted to EUR 1.611 billion as at 31 October 2018. Currently, 182,494 Argenta clients are building up their complementary pension capital through these pension saving funds.

In addition, DPAM is also managing two UCITS funds on behalf of Argenta, with assets under management of EUR 1.150 billion as at 31 October 2018.

In view of further growth, the setting up of this joint venture is a logical next strategic step for three reasons: firstly, the substantial assets in these funds, secondly their name and distribution links with Argenta, and thirdly DPAM’s invaluable management input. In this connection, DPAM will continue to handle the financial management of these funds on a day-to-day basis.

Marc Lauwers, CEO of Argenta: “The establishment of this joint venture is the corollary decision of our fruitful collaboration, which has lasted for nearly twenty years now. DPAM has set up a thorough investment process, with strong expertise in terms of dynamic asset allocation and security selection.”

Hugo Lasat, CEO of DPAM: “Saving for your pension remains a must for a financially-secure retirement. Argenta’s fund are well-performing long-term investment solutions. Argenta’s strong, quality network ensures that clients can enjoy optimal advice in terms of saving up for their pension.”

Arvestar has obtained a Belgian licence as a management company for Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities (UCITS) and as a manager for Alternative Investment Funds (AIF). On 1 November, Arvestar took over overall management of the pension saving funds Argenta Pensioenspaarfonds and Argenta Pensioenspaarfonds Defensive. The transfer of the UCITS funds is scheduled to take place in the course of 2019.

Gregory Ferrant, CEO of Argenta Asset Management, and Hugo Lasat, CEO of DPAM, sit as non-executive directors on Arvestar’s board of directors. Vincent Vanbellingen, CEO of Arvestar, and Rudi Sneyers, CRO of Arvestar, sit as executive directors.

Arvestar’s registered office is at 19 Rue Guimard, 1040 Brussels.

***

Press contact for Argenta:

Caroline Ghekiere, press spokesperson: +32 3 285 50 65/ [email protected]

About Argenta

Argenta Bank- en Verzekeringsgroep is a bancassurance group, with families making up its core customer base. It has activities in Belgium and the Netherlands and serves 1.72 million clients in total. The banking activities centre around Argenta Spaarbank and the insurance activities around Argenta Assuranties.

The Group’s balance sheet total amounts to EUR 44.1 billion (as at 31 December 2017). Argenta Bank- en Verzekeringsgroep posted total net profits of EUR 193.4 million as at 31 December 2017.

Press contact for DPAM:

Bob De Leersnyder, Communication Manager: +32 472 50 76 37/ [email protected]

About Degroof Petercam Asset Management

Degroof Petercam Asset Management (DPAM) is an independent and active asset manager that is part of a family-owned group with roots dating back to 1871. DPAM is a sustainable investor and an innovative pioneer in terms of responsible and sustainable investment. The company integrates ESG criteria across all asset classes and themes and is an active shareholder. DPAM strongly focuses on research, having in-house fundamental and quantitative analyst teams (credit, equity and responsible investment) which are all interconnected, supporting the company’s asset management activities. DPAM manages investment funds and discretionary mandates on behalf of institutional clients and was managing over EUR 33 billion as at August 31st, 2018. DPAM employs 135 investment professionals.