Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking completes acquisition of First State Investments, for US$2.7 billion

NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global investment manager First State Investments today announced the completion of its sale from Commonwealth Bank of Australia to Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG), for US$2.7 billion.

Since its inception in 1988, First State Investments (FSI) has grown into a global investment management business with funds under management of US$155.1 billion¹ on behalf of an international client base that extends across Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America.

MUFG manages US$575 billion² in funds on behalf of its clients. Its subsidiary Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking is one of Japan's largest asset managers.

First State Investments will operate as a standalone global investment management business governed by a board of directors initially comprising representatives from FSI and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking. The board will likely expand to include independent non-executive directors in the coming year.

"Today marks an important day for our business. Under MUFG ownership, we will have the financial backing and shared strategic vision to enable us to become an even stronger global investment manager," said Mark Steinberg, CEO of First State Investments.

"Our investment teams will continue to enjoy their current levels of investment autonomy, which has underpinned the business' strong growth and long-term performance. Their commitment to incorporating ESG principles across processes and strategies remains central to each investment approach.

"We maintain a consistent firm-wide view on our important role and responsibility as a steward of our clients' capital. This is the foundation of our corporate identity and will continue to be the binding element across our various investment teams' philosophies and strategies," Steinberg said.

FSI offers investment capabilities across a number of sought-after asset classes managed by experienced investment teams, some of whom have been investing for clients for more than 25 years. Specialist capabilities include global emerging markets and Asia Pacific equities (managed by the First State Stewart Asia and Stewart Investors investment teams), listed and direct infrastructure, Australian equities, fixed income and multi-asset solutions.

"From the outset, we have regarded First State Investments as a well-recognized global business, synonymous with first-class investment professionals and strong fund performance," said Mikio Ikegaya, president and CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking.

"We are committed to supporting FSI's strategy of delivering high-quality investment capabilities and establishing and maintaining strong client relationships. We look forward to working with First State Investments as we continue to expand our investment management business and investment offerings globally," Ikegaya said.

Notes for editors:

Board of Directors

The FSI board includes the following executive directors:

• Sunao Yokokawa, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer (Chairman)
• Mark Steinberg, FSI CEO
• Yutaka Kawakami, incoming FSI Deputy CEO
• Suzanne Evans, FSI CFO
• Takemasa Niki, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Executive Officer and General Manager, Corporate Planning

Sunao Yokokawa, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer (Chairman): Mr Yokokawa is responsible for leading and overseeing Asset Management and Investor Services for both MUFG and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking. He has vast experience in asset management. He joined Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking in 1986 in portfolio management and strategic planning, including corporate planning at the firm's subsidiary, Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management. Mr Yokokawa has a MBA from the Stern School of Business, New York University, and a bachelor's degree in Economics from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan.

Mark Steinberg, First State Investments CEO: Mr Steinberg brings a strong background in acquisitions and wealth management to his role of CEO of FSI. Before joining the company in September 2017, Mr Steinberg was Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Chief Operating Officer of Cover-More, an Australian Stock Exchange listed company, where he oversaw several acquisitions before Cover-More was acquired in April 2017. Prior to this, he held other positions at Colonial First State, including Chief Financial Officer. He also worked for Vodafone, where he was CFO of the New Zealand business, Finance Director of the Japanese business and CFO of the Australian business. Mr Steinberg is a Chartered Accountant in Australia and a member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Yutaka Kawakami, incoming First State Investments Deputy CEO: Mr Kawakami will support the development and implementation of the business strategy, align interests and seek opportunities between Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking and FSI, in addition to assisting with the governance framework to be integrated into Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking. Since he joined Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking in 1990, he has gained more than 25 years' experience in the field of asset management. He has held various positions including strategist, global asset management sales, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and directorships with strategic alliance partners, such as joint venture with Baillie Gifford and Shenwan Hongyuan Securities. He was also an equity portfolio manager and analyst in London for eight years. Mr Kawakami has a degree in Economics from Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.

Suzanne Evans, First State Investments CFO: Ms Evans is responsible for FSI's Finance and Strategy function in her role as CFO, which includes accounting, tax, treasury and corporate strategy. She has more than 25 years of experience across all aspects of capital markets including banking, life insurance, financial services and property. Prior to joining CFSGAM, Ms Evans held roles in investor relations, treasury, strategy and mergers and acquisitions for a number of publicly listed entities. She holds a master's degree in Applied Finance from Macquarie University and is a Non-Executive Director of Domestic Violence NSW Service Management, a not-for-profit providing services to women and children escaping family violence.

Takemasa Niki, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Executive Officer and General Manager, Corporate Planning: Mr. Niki joined Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking in 1989 and built his experience in its overseas operations including custodial/asset administration business and internal controls such as risk management and compliance in New York. Prior to his current position, he served as General Manager of the Audit Division. Mr Niki has a degree in Economics from Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.

About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.:

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 3,000 locations in more than 50 countries. The Group has over 180,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management and leasing. It aims to "be the world's most trusted financial group" through close collaboration among operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english.

About Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation:

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, as a core member of MUFG, provides customers with a wide range of comprehensive financial solutions leveraging unique and highly professional functions as a leading trust bank. Such financial solutions include real estate, stock transfer agency, asset management and investor services, and inheritance related services, in addition to banking operations. We aim to realise our vision to be the trust bank that creates "a safe and affluent society" and "a bright future with our customers together" by always supporting our customers' and society's challenges based on Trust, and thus created a new key concept: "Trust Drives Our Future". For more information, visit https://www.tr.mufg.jp/english.

About First State Investments:

First State Investments, known as Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFSGAM) in Australia, has established offices across Europe, the US, and Asia Pacific regions.

We are stewards of over US$155 billion (as of March 31, 2019) in assets managed on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds, wholesale distributors, investment platforms, financial advisers and their clients worldwide.

With expertise across a range of asset classes and specialist investment sectors, our approach to investment is driven by a commitment to provide the best possible outcomes over the long term for our investors. To achieve this, we ensure our interests are aligned with our investors and uphold a culture of consistently acting in our clients' best interests.

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Important Information
In the United States, this document is issued by First State Investments (US) LLC. This material is solely for the attention of institutional, professional, qualified or sophisticated investors and distributors who qualify as qualified purchasers under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and as accredited investors under Rule 501 of SEC Regulation D under the US Securities Act of 1933. It is not to be distributed to the general public, private customers or retail investors in any jurisdiction whatsoever.

The First State Investment logo and CFSGAM are trademarks of the Commonwealth Bank or an affiliate thereof and are used by FSI under licence.

¹ Source: CFSGAM as at 31 March 2019.
² Source: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. as at 31 March 2019.

SOURCE First State Investments