Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) and iCapital[1] today announced an expansion of their US partnership to provide more banks and wealth managers globally with access to a suite of private markets funds managed by MSIM.
iCapital’s market-leading technology platform and solutions have effectively and efficiently diminished the historical barriers that wealth managers and their clients have faced when investing in private markets by automating the subscription, administration, operational and reporting processes for the life of the investment. iCapital also provides a full suite of research, due diligence and educational materials to advisors and investors.
Morgan Stanley is a long-standing strategic investor and partner of iCapital, and this development is a testament to the success of the relationship. It follows an existing strategic relationship through Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in the US, for which iCapital provides alternative investment feeder fund services.
Jacques Chappuis, Global Head of Distribution and Co-Head of the Solutions and Multi-Asset Group at MSIM, said: “This is a new chapter in Morgan Stanley’s partnership with iCapital. While our private markets funds have typically been restricted to institutional investors, we are excited to be able to expand the client base accessing our industry leading Private Markets funds and help High Net Worth Investors across the globe further diversify their investment portfolios.”
Private markets investments have the potential to generate higher returns and provide diversification benefits to investors as they seek to access relatively untapped opportunities. Historically reserved to institutional investors, their increased accessibility allows banks and wealth managers to gain exposure to high-growth alternative asset classes such as private equity and private credit.
“Wealth managers are increasingly looking to alternative investments as another way to try and help their clients improve their financial outcomes,” said Marco Bizzozero, Head of International at iCapital. “We are extremely pleased to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with Morgan Stanley. The expansion of this successful partnership now offers access to the growth and diversification potential that premier private markets investment opportunities can provide to advisors and their HNW clients globally.”