COMINVEST Asset Management, the asset management arm of Commerzbank with EUR53 billion (USD65 billion) under management, will likely issue capital-protected investment products on its funds of hedge funds. This is the German asset manager's first foray into alternative investments and it is working with Harcourt Investment Consulting, with EUR2.2 billion (USD2.7 billion) under investment in its own fund of funds, to create a fund of managed accounts based on the PlusFunds Group platform. Michael Vogt, manager of COMINVEST, could not be reached for comment.
Marcel Herbst, a spokesman for Harcourt, said it will work with COMINVEST to structure two or three fund of funds by the end of the year, each with a different risk-return scale. "Later, we will look at certificates on the funds and other structured products as opportunities arise," said Herbst. The products will be designed for both retail and institutional clients. "Insurance companies, for example, could be very interested in structured products on these funds," added Herbst.