COP29 Debriefing – Insights, challenges and opportunities

As the outcomes of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku come into focus, stakeholders across industries are assessing the implications for business and sustainability. While the vision for a low-carbon economy is clearer, challenges in implementation and scaling persist. Join our virtual event, "COP29 Debriefing – Insights, Challenges, and Opportunities," where our Partners Hannah Zühlke, Daria Koroleva and David Frans will provide an overview of COP29's key takeaways, insights on aligning your business with climate goals, and a live Q&A session for your questions. More information is available here.

Asset management: China is liberalizing its financial services

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November 6, 2019

The Chinese market holds considerable potential for those willing to reassess their strategy

Only 6 percent of global assets under management originates from China while almost half comes from North America (47 percent). However, the Chinese asset management market has grown faster than the global market in recent years. Thanks to the ongoing liberalization of financial services and the recent regulatory changes in this sector, access to the asset management market is improving significantly for foreign players. Now is the right time for foreign asset managers to reassess their strategic options in China.

Today, supported by solid socio-demographic fundamentals, China's asset management market growth is strong and its size is expected to triple over the next 10 years offering attractive opportunities for foreign asset managers. This is one of several key findings of Roland Berger's study "China's asset management market – Opportunities and challenges for global asset managers in a new era".

China has not only granted foreigners full access to the market for private funds but has also raised the upper limit for foreign participation in Sino-foreign fund management joint ventures from 49 to 51 percent.

Liberalization measures are favorable for foreign firms

In this context, China has not only granted foreigners full access to the market for private funds but has also raised the upper limit for foreign participation in Sino-foreign fund management joint ventures from 49 to 51 percent. Furthermore, the government recently promised to lift all ownership restrictions by 2020. This will give foreign companies the opportunity to emerge as actual onshore operators instead of mere shareholders. And this is just one of many other recent liberalization measures.

Challenges remain for foreign asset managers

Although it seems easier now for foreign players to operate in the Chinese asset management market, difficulties remain when you look more closely. It is thus crucial for foreign players to be deeply familiar with the market and the specific options they can consider to benefit from the market's current and future potential. The review process will involve clarifying their long-term ambitions and carefully assessing the different available strategies.

Roland Berger's study provides some possible directions by elaborating on the current strategies of some major foreign players to help understand how they have thought through the optimal setup to go after this important market.