In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Martin Barnwell, Investment Director on the commercial real estate lending team at Aberdeen. Recorded shortly after Stewart's trip to Minneapolis, where commercial real estate lending was a key topic, this episode dives deep into the intricacies of the UK real estate market. Martin shares his journey from Dublin to London, detailing his experiences in real estate debt and the valuable lessons learned along the way. They discuss the unique aspects of the UK market, the shift from bank-dominated lending to increased participation by insurance companies, and the impact of recent market dislocations. Martin explains how insurance companies are well-positioned to capitalize on current opportunities in commercial real estate lending, emphasizing the benefits of a conservative, investment-grade approach. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of commercial real estate lending, the role of insurance in this space, and the promising opportunities that lie ahead. Whether you're an experienced investor or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical insights.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by TC Wilson, Chief Investment Officer of The Doctors Company, to discuss the California Organized Investment Network (COIN). TC shares his impressive background, from being an academic All-American football player at Hampden-Sydney College to his current role as CIO at The Doctors Company. They delve into the mission and history of COIN, its impact on California's underserved communities, and the benefits for insurers investing in COIN-qualified strategies. TC also highlights the rigorous vetting process of COIN and the legislative changes that have expanded investment opportunities. Tune in for an engaging conversation that provides valuable insights into the role of COIN and the importance of prudent investment in socially impactful projects.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with David Gaito, Head of Direct Lending at Fidelity Investments. David shares his journey from growing up in Pittsburgh to leading Fidelity's direct lending business, emphasizing the importance of working with sophisticated insurance investment professionals. They discuss the rise of direct lending, the unique challenges and opportunities in the market, and why Fidelity chose to build its direct lending platform from scratch. David provides insights into the regulatory landscape, the importance of scale, and the future of direct lending, particularly in relation to insurance asset management. Tune in for a deep dive into the intricacies of direct lending and learn why this market is attracting so much attention from sophisticated investors.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Kerry O’Brien, Head of Insurance Portfolio Management at Insight Investment, and Richard Talmage, CFA, Portfolio Manager at Insight Investment. The conversation dives into the evolution of insurance asset management and the burgeoning asset class of esoteric ABS. Kerry shares insights into her extensive career, the growth of Insight Investment, and the current challenges and opportunities facing insurance asset managers. She emphasizes the sophistication and diversity of today’s insurance portfolios and how Insight's technology and expertise support these complex needs. Rich discusses the rise of esoteric ABS, detailing the unique opportunities it presents for insurance portfolios. He highlights the importance of relationships and deep institutional resources in underwriting these assets, making a compelling case for their inclusion in diversified portfolios. Tune in to learn about the evolution of insurance asset management, the benefits of esoteric ABS, and how Insight Investment is leading the charge in this dynamic field.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Pete Miller, CFA, FSA, Head of Insurance Solutions, Multi-Asset Strategies at Invesco. They delve into the intricacies of strategic asset allocation for insurance companies, touching on Pete's extensive experience in the industry and his insights on current trends. Pete shares his background, from growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, to his early career at The Hartford, where he transitioned from traditional actuarial roles to investment management. His journey offers valuable lessons on adaptability and the importance of asking questions. The discussion highlights the increasing trend toward alternative assets and the opportunities within private credit and commercial real estate debt. Pete also sheds light on global differences in insurance asset management, particularly the advanced ESG integration in Europe and Asia compared to the US. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the evolving landscape of insurance investments and the strategies that can help insurers navigate this complex environment.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, John Patin steps in as the guest host and welcomes two distinguished guests: Justin Mahoney, co-founder and senior portfolio manager of Shelter Growth Capital Partners, and Bryan Lentz, director of public and private structured securities at Mutual of Omaha Insurance Companies. They dive into the intricacies of residential credit within insurance portfolios, exploring the evolution of the asset class, and its unique risk-reward dynamics. Justin and Bryan share insights into their organizations, how they evaluate residential credit opportunities, and the strategic partnership between Shelter Growth and Mutual of Omaha. The conversation touches on the role of direct lending in residential credit, the macro and micro perspectives on the housing market, and the importance of customizable solutions for insurance companies. The episode concludes with engaging personal insights from Justin and Bryan, adding a touch of personality to the in-depth discussion.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, Stewart Foley hosts Greg Michaud, Head of Real Estate Finance at Voya, for an in-depth discussion on commercial mortgage loans (CMLs) in 2024. They explore whether the repriced market offers attractive opportunities. Greg shares insights from his extensive background in real estate finance, including his early career as a draftsman and appraiser, and his current responsibilities overseeing the sourcing, underwriting, and management of commercial real estate loans at Voya. The conversation delves into the current state of the office sector, highlighting the stress due to oversupply and liquidity issues, particularly in urban areas. Greg discusses the differences between urban and suburban office properties, noting the potential for suburban offices to be repurposed into mixed-use developments. They also address challenges in the multifamily sector, including rising expenses and interest rates, and emphasize the importance of experienced borrowers in successfully navigating the market. Greg shares his views on where the best opportunities lie in the real estate market, pointing to preferred equity, mezzanine, and rescue capital for distressed apartments as particularly promising areas. They also discuss the attractiveness of secondary and tertiary markets, the evolving industrial sector, and the potential for open-air storage solutions. Greg concludes with key takeaways for investors, emphasizing the importance of high-quality assets and experienced operators in capitalizing on current market conditions. This information is proprietary and cannot be reproduced or distributed. Certain information may be received from sources Voya Investment Management considers reliable; Voya Investment Management does not represent that such information is accurate or complete. Certain statements contained herein may constitute "projections," "forecasts" and other "forward-looking statements" which do not reflect actual results and are based primarily upon applying retroactively a hypothetical set of assumptions to certain historical financial data. Any opinions, projections, forecasts and forward looking statements presented herein are valid only as of the date of this document and are subject to change. Voya Investment Management is not soliciting or recommending any action based on any information in this document.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current private equity (PE) market with Matt Shafer, Managing Director, Head of Capital Solutions & US Private Equity at Northleaf Capital Partners. Matt shares his insights into the PE landscape, drawing from his extensive experience and his role at Northleaf. Matt starts by providing a bit of background about himself, growing up in Oneida, New York, and his first job at a local sandwich shop. He also shares what makes insurance asset management so appealing to him, highlighting the complexity and the collaborative nature of working with sophisticated investors in the industry. The conversation then delves into Northleaf's story, outlining its growth from a small Canadian firm within TD Bank to a significant player in the private markets with over $24 billion in capital. Matt discusses Northleaf's focus on middle-market investments and the benefits of working with experienced private equity sponsors. He explains the firm's strategic partnership with Power Corporation of Canada, which has enhanced their capabilities and offerings, particularly for insurance clients. Stewart and Matt explore the secondaries market, emphasizing its growth and the benefits it offers to investors, such as J curve mitigation and diversification. Matt also touches on the importance of structured equity in providing non-control capital to private equity-owned businesses, especially in today's higher interest rate environment. He outlines how Northleaf's structured equity solutions can support growth while offering attractive risk-adjusted returns.

A multi-decade opportunity for Insurance Investment Portfolios In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley talks with Jorge Camiña, Partner and Head of Denham Sustainable Infrastructure Credit, about the growing opportunities in sustainable infrastructure credit. Jorge emphasizes how global commitments to energy transition and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act are creating a multi-decade investment landscape, particularly appealing for insurance portfolios. Jorge explores the benefits of sustainable infrastructure credit, including its resilience, inflation protection, and yield enhancement. He explains how these assets align with insurers' long-term liabilities and provide a stable, attractive return profile. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities for insurance companies to access this market, particularly in light of the changing role of traditional lenders like commercial banks. Listeners will gain insights into how Denham Sustainable Infrastructure Credit is navigating this evolving landscape and how insurance companies can strategically implement these investments to future-proof their portfolios while contributing to global decarbonization efforts.  

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Jeff Grills, CFA, Head of US Cross Markets and Emerging Markets Debt at Aegon Asset Management, to delve into the evolving landscape of emerging markets debt (EMD). Jeff shares his extensive experience in EMD, highlighting the growth and maturation of the asset class over the past few decades. They discuss the periods when EMD was most attractive for insurance investors and explore the factors driving its current appeal, including high yields and improved credit quality. Jeff also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities for insurers when allocating to EMD, particularly in light of global events and central bank activities. He emphasizes the importance of country selection, governance, and understanding the unique risks and rewards associated with this diverse asset class. As the discussion unfolds, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate EMD in today’s complex market environment and why it remains a compelling option for insurance portfolios. The episode wraps up with Jeff sharing some valuable investment wisdom and his thoughts on the broader implications of EMD for insurers. Whether you're new to EMD or looking to refine your strategy, this episode offers a wealth of insights and practical advice.