Following Deutsche Bank’s move to integrate its asset and wealth management businesses in 2012, some of its executive staff members in Asia have switched their licences from the Securities and Futures Commission to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. 

The newly-formed division’s Asia-Pacific head of passive asset management, Marco Montanari; Anson Chow, its associate for passive investments; Liza Ding, Asia director of marketing; and Sophia Kim and Charles Wong, both Hong Kong-based executives, will now be regulated by the HKMA, Deutsche Bank has confirmed to this publication.

While the bank was unable to comment on whether others employees will be following suit, a spokesperson described the positioning of new business:

“On a product level, existing names will be maintained: including DWS, RREEF, and db X-trackers (for exchange traded funds (ETFs)), among others. Business brands will be superseded by Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management; however, some exceptions apply - for example, the DWS brand in Germany and the Sal Oppenheim brand will be maintained due to their strong and long-standing reputations,” the spokesperson said.

"Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, the dominant 'superbrand' for the combined group, will give the division cohesion, while capitalising on the value already built up in the former businesses and product brands,” the spokesperson added.

According to AsianInvestor, Montanari said DAWM’s combined active, alternative and passive asset management activities, as well as its retail and institutional distribution functions “will allow us to fully harness their collective strengths". For example, the firm’s retail capabilities will help fill gaps in the institutional equity space, he added, and institutional cash, fixed income and multi-asset capabilities will be leveraged on the retail side.

“Our passive and hedge platforms, formerly part of the corporate bank and securities division, complement an already solid menu of passive and alternatives products,” Montanari told the publication.