Franco-German financial group Oddo BHF has merged its Oddo BHF Asset Management (Oddo BHF AM) with Frankfurt-Trust Investment-Gesellschaft, in a bid to expand its operations in the German market.

The integrated business includes €61bn worth assets under management, turning it as the third largest independent asset manager in Europe.

Oddo BHF said the merger will help keep and develop all the expertises across equities, fixed income and asset allocation.

The combined business includes around 300 employees, as well as three investment centers in Paris, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt.

Oddo BHF AM offers a range of high-performance investment solutions in all main asset classes, including European equities, quantitative strategies, bond and multi-asset solutions.

The business also offers alpha-driven equity portfolios, including stock-picking and multi-factor quantitative expertise, long/short and total return portfolios, as well as private equity solutions.

Around 70% of Oddo BHF AM clients include large institutional players such as insurance companies, savings banks and pension funds, while 30% are private banks and distributors.

Oddo BHF AM also has additional locations in Luxembourg, Milan, Geneva, Stockholm and Madrid.

Oddo BHF AM co-CIO and global CEO Nicolas Chaput said: "With the merger of FRANKFURT-TRUST into ODDO BHF AM, we aim to strengthen our unique Franco-German asset management model.

“We now share one identity, one brand, one organization, one combined unique product range offering a wide spectrum of expertise to our clients.”

Oddo BHF AM managing director and Frankfurt-Trust Investment former CEO Karl Stäcker said: "With the merger we will intensify our positioning as a long-term partner for our clients providing high-quality services in every respect.” 

With around 2,300 employees, Oddo BHF group operates three main businesses, including private banking, asset management and corporate and investment banking.

The group has more than €100bn assets under management, and its 60% capital is held by the Oddo family and 30% by employees.


Image: Oddo BHF Asset Management has merged with Frankfurt-Trust Investment. Photo: courtesy of adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.