The firm has expanded its product offering in the US market with the Vontobel International Equity Institutional and Vontobel Global Equity Institutional funds. The two funds are SEC-registered institutional mutual funds. By launching these funds, institutional investors will have access to a pooled vehicle with a minimum investment size of $1 million, Vontobel said in a statement late last week.

“Launching these institutional mutual funds is a significant initiative for Vontobel. We are delighted to broaden investor access to our investment strategies through these vehicles by providing quality portfolio management at a reasonable fee,” said the co-chief executive at Vontobel Asset Management, Dr Philipp Hensler.

The two new mutual funds will be part of the firm’s mutual fund roster, alongside the Vontobel Global Emerging Markets Equity Institutional Fund, launched in May 2013 and which had more than $1 billion in assets as of 30 June 2015.

"Our strategy is built on identifying high-quality companies: those with solid business economics, stable operating margins, high returns on invested capital, consistent returns, and strong franchises," said the chief investment officer and co-chief executive at Vontobel, Rajiv Jain. "We take a long-term view, and our portfolios aspire to enjoy consistent compounded earnings growth," Jain said.

The funds will follow Vontobel’s long-only equity investment strategy. The mutual funds will complement the existing investment vehicles, according to the firm, including separately managed accounts and collective investment trusts.

Vontobel Asset Management is based in New York with $50.7 billion in assets under management as of 30 June. The global investment firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of exchange-listed Swiss company Vontobel Holding.