InsuranceAUM.com

Stewart Foley
  • 0.0 (0)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
InsuranceAUM.com

Tune in to the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, hosted by our Managing Partner, Stewart Foley, CFA. Our podcast features insightful conversations with CIOs, asset managers, and other distinguished professionals in the insurance asset management industry. Each episode delves into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, providing listeners with valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don’t miss out on these engaging discussions that are essential for insurance investors and asset managers.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Episode 257: High Yield Real Estate Lending: Navigating the Shifting Landscape

    In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Bill McClay, CFA, portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, to explore the evolving landscape of high-yield real estate lending. With banks pulling back and a significant volume of commercial real estate debt maturing over the next three years, Bill shares how private lenders are stepping up to fill the gap. He provides an in-depth look at Fidelity's real estate platform, their approach to navigating current market challenges, and the opportunities for investors in middle-market lending.   From bridge loans to construction financing and gap funding, Bill explains how Fidelity has positioned itself to address a supply-demand imbalance in commercial real estate debt. This episode offers valuable insights into the dynamics of property types, regional bank exposure, and the role of private capital in shaping the future of high-yield real estate lending.

    40 min

  2. 19 NOV

    Episode 256: Best Practices for Portfolio Construction in Private Assets

    Join host Stewart Foley on the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast as we dive into the intricacies of private asset portfolio construction with insights from Bryan Jenkins and Eric Solfisburg of Hamilton Lane. This episode explores how a strategic approach to portfolio construction—focusing on factors like asset allocation, investment pacing, and liquidity management—can enhance outcomes for insurance investors. With over three decades in private markets, Hamilton Lane shares its expertise on balancing return and risk while managing the challenges of data and transparency that are unique to this asset class.   The conversation also covers the vital considerations around data and analytics, industry exposure, and the often-overlooked factor of asset location for insurers. Jenkins and Solfisburg emphasize the importance of a consistent, disciplined approach to private asset allocation, discussing tools and techniques Hamilton Lane uses to support sophisticated portfolio strategies. For insurers navigating private markets, this episode offers a valuable guide to constructing resilient, well-diversified portfolios that align with insurance-specific risk management needs.

    31 min

  3. 14 NOV

    Episode 255: CLO Market Pulse with Ian Gilbertson of Invesco

    In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Ian Gilbertson, CLO Portfolio Manager and Co-Head of U.S. CLOs at Invesco, for a deep dive into the world of Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) and their role in insurance investment portfolios. Ian provides a primer on CLOs, explaining their structure, the types of assets they hold, and why this asset class has shown such resilience and stability.   They discuss the growth of CLOs in insurance company portfolios, their historical performance, and why they continue to attract insurers even amid changing regulatory requirements. Ian also shares his insights on current opportunities in the loan market, the evolving credit cycle, and the outlook for CLOs in 2025, especially in a declining rate environment. Ian brings extensive expertise to the conversation, offering both high-level context and practical insights into the risks and rewards of this asset class for insurers.

    31 min

  4. 12 NOV

    Episode 254: Demystifying OCIO for Insurance Companies

    In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley hosts Olaolu Aganga, U.S. Chief Investment Officer at Mercer, and Stephanie Thomas, Senior Investment Consultant at Mercer, to discuss the evolving role of OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) services for insurance companies. They explore how Mercer's model uniquely integrates support for clients by combining Marsh McLennan’s insurance expertise with Mercer's deep investment consulting resources. Olaolu and Stephanie clarify how OCIO can function either as a full or partial extension of an insurance company's in-house team, offering a range of services from research support to full discretionary management.   With the growing complexity in private credit, asset-backed finance (ABF), and investment-grade alternatives, Stephanie explains how OCIO services can support insurers in navigating these emerging asset classes, providing an adaptable, client-specific approach. Olaolu highlights the partnership aspect of Mercer’s model, emphasizing that OCIO clients retain control over strategy while benefiting from Mercer's extensive resources and industry insights.

    26 min

  5. 7 NOV

    Episode 253: Capitalizing on the Shift in Private Credit: Strategies for Insurance Companies

    In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley hosts Armen Panossian, co-CEO and Head of Performing Credit at Oaktree Capital, for a deep dive into insurers' role in alternative investing, especially in private credit. Armen shares insights on the evolving sentiment in today’s markets, where economic fundamentals, regulatory influences, and the effects of recent rate hikes are shaping debt and equity strategies. He details how technical and regulatory shifts, like the implementation of Basel III in the U.S., are creating new avenues for insurers to capitalize on asset-backed finance while banks retreat from specific lending areas. Armen emphasizes that private credit remains a valuable asset class for insurers, especially given the long-term growth and diversification opportunities it provides alongside efficient rating structures.   Looking ahead, Armen sees opportunity in sectors where expertise drives returns, such as specialty finance and asset-backed lending. He also highlights the unique value of rescue lending as more companies face refinancing challenges due to high interest rates. For insurers, he advises considering the distinct advantages of rated feeder note structures to optimize capital efficiency in corporate credit and exploring asset-backed finance for diversification.

    46 min

  6. 4 NOV

    Episode 252: Lower Middle Market Opportunities: How Star Mountain Creates Alpha Through Active Lending

    In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley welcomes Brett Hickey, Founder and CEO of Star Mountain Capital, for an engaging look at investment in the U.S. lower middle market. Brett shares his unique journey from a small-town upbringing in Canada to founding a prominent private credit firm. Drawing from his early experiences, Brett discusses how Star Mountain Capital builds on core values of community and collaboration, focusing on lending to smaller, often family-owned businesses with strong fundamentals. He explains the firm’s strategic emphasis on these investments, citing the sector's limited competition and inherent value as an uncorrelated asset class. Brett also highlights the opportunity to add alpha to portfolios through Star Mountain's private credit and secondary offerings.   Brett explains why lower middle market companies offer significant upside potential, especially given demographic trends and limited access to traditional financing sources. He describes how Star Mountain’s data-driven risk management processes and community-focused investment approach help mitigate risk while positioning companies for growth and long-term success.

    35 min

  7. 28 OCT

    Episode 251: The Evolution of Home Building: Land Banking, Affordability, and Market Resilience

    In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley dives into the evolving landscape of real estate finance with Bob Clark, Founding Partner of DW Partners and Chief Investment Officer at Domain Real Estate Partners. The discussion focuses on homebuilder finance, a niche yet critical area within the broader real estate market. Bob shares his journey from a math enthusiast with family ties in the pizza business to becoming a key player in the homebuilding finance industry, explaining how Domain provides crucial funding to homebuilders for land acquisition and development.   Bob elaborates on the unique capital needs of the homebuilding industry, the growing trend of homebuilders moving towards asset-light models, and the role of project finance in facilitating land and land development. The conversation also touches on the impact of mortgage rates, Fed policy, and the complex relationship between affordability and supply in the US housing market. Bob’s insights provide a clear understanding of how insurance companies can become more involved in financing these specialized areas, highlighting opportunities for insurers to capitalize on resilient and well-structured credit investments.   This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the intersection of real estate finance, homebuilding, and insurance capital, offering a thoughtful analysis of the long-term trends shaping the market.

    37 min

  8. 24 OCT

    Episode 250: Best Practices: Strategic Asset Allocation in an Evolving Regulatory Environment

    In this insightful episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley engages in a dynamic discussion with Louis Pelosi, Managing Director of Client Solutions at SLC Management's Global Insurance Group. The conversation centers on Best Practices in Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) in an Evolving Regulatory Environment. Louis shares his deep experience in navigating the complexities of insurance asset management, shedding light on the importance of aligning asset allocation with the liability profiles, regulatory capital concerns, and risk tolerances unique to each insurer.   The episode delves into how regulatory changes and the growing use of alternatives—such as private assets and structured securities—are shaping insurers' strategies. Louis highlights how liquidity management and understanding the business’s nuances are critical in constructing efficient portfolios for insurers. Whether you're interested in SAA trends, regulatory insights, or how to effectively manage evolving risks, this episode offers a wealth of practical knowledge for insurance investment professionals.

    26 min
See All (100)

About

Tune in to the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, hosted by our Managing Partner, Stewart Foley, CFA. Our podcast features insightful conversations with CIOs, asset managers, and other distinguished professionals in the insurance asset management industry. Each episode delves into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, providing listeners with valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don’t miss out on these engaging discussions that are essential for insurance investors and asset managers.

Information

  • Creator
    Stewart Foley
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    InsuranceAUM.com

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada