Hamilton Lane to distribute private-market funds in Taiwan – report

Core Viewpoint - Hamilton Lane, a US-based asset management firm, is expanding its operations in Taiwan by distributing all six of its open-ended private-market funds, aiming to attract high-net-worth individuals in addition to local insurers [1][2]. Group 1: Expansion Strategy - The company manages over $1 trillion in assets and plans to work with onshore banks to sell its funds to Taiwanese clients through the sandbox wealth zone in Kaohsiung and other cities [1]. - This initiative will provide local investors access to alternative assets such as private senior credit, infrastructure, and private equity [2]. Group 2: Market Context - The Kaohsiung special wealth zone allows banks to offer private equity and other alternative products through simplified channels, bypassing the usual product-approval process in some cases [3]. - Other financial institutions, including Cathay United Bank and Standard Chartered, have also introduced private-market products in Kaohsiung, indicating a growing trend in the region [3]. Group 3: Recent Developments - In October 2023, Hamilton Lane announced its entry into the Taiwanese market, with plans to launch evergreen investment vehicles [3]. - The company is also expanding its presence in the Middle East, having launched an office in Dubai in February 2023 to better serve regional clients [4].