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What's New In Investments, Funds? - UBP, Vontobel

Editorial Staff

16 July 2018

UBP
Switzerland-based private bank has created “cosmofunding”, an online platform for private placements, a move the Zurich-listed firm claims is a first.

The platform goes live on 3 September this year. It is a web-based, license-free offering; market participants can access the platform without obligation using a personal log-in.

“The market for private and public sector financing has evolved significantly in recent years. The public sector is increasingly opting for shorter-term and lower-cost financing options from institutional investors who are seeking alternative investment opportunities due to the prevailing low interest rate environment. This is driving the growth of the private placement segment,” the firm said.

The Swiss firm said it is working exclusively with the independent credit rating agency fedafin.

“For many institutional investors, a fedafin rating is a prerequisite for the conclusion of a private placement or loan, since this provides them with certainty regarding the creditworthiness of the issuer and the offering. In addition to over 320 companies of various sizes, we currently cover 2,200 Swiss municipalities and cantons – which corresponds to 95 per cent market coverage,” Dr Adrian Oberlin, managing director of fedafin, said.