Zurich, 04 September 2019 – UBS Asset Management (UBS-AM), one of the largest asset managers in real assets worldwide announces the successful final close of its second pioneering investment solution, UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland 2 ("UBS-CEIS 2"). UBS-CEIS 2 has raised a total of about CHF 472 million in commitments and provides institutional investors access to a diversified portfolio of infrastructure investments in growth areas of sustainable energy production, energy efficiency and supply infrastructure with a focus on Switzerland. The fund is a joint initiative between UBS-AM, the independent Swiss investment manager Fontavis AG; and Swiss Mobiliar, which provides UBS-CEIS 2 with insurance-related advisory services.
UBS-CEIS 2 reached the end of its subscription period on 3 September 2019 and is now closed to new investors. The capital has been raised from more than 40 institutional investors, comprising a combination of private and public pension funds, as well as insurance companies. The fundraising benefitted from a combination of new and existing investors who have looked to the track record of the predecessor fund, UBS-CEIS. Both funds in aggregate have raised a total of CHF 868 million in capital.
Tommaso Albanese, Head of Infrastructure at UBS Asset Management, commented: "The success of the UBS-CEIS platform is testament to both the partnerships we have and UBS-AM's capacity to generate attractive investment opportunities in infrastructure. We have built a diverse and strong track record in the infrastructure market across regions, sectors and strategies, which we plan to grow further to meet client interest."
Andreas Toscan, Head of Institutional Client Coverage Switzerland at UBS Asset Management, commented: "Our second Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland fund has received strong support from both new and existing investors. UBS-CEIS 2 is meeting a key need of institutional investors who want to invest in non-listed companies and projects. Such investments in infrastructure are of high economic importance, aim to meet the growing demand for sustainable investment, whilst generating long-term and regular cash flows for institutional investors."
Thomas Schmid, CEO, Fontavis, commented: "We are pleased to have achieved such a good result and are delighted with the trust investors have placed in our expertise as an investment manager in clean energy infrastructure based on the successful track record of the predecessor product."
Notes to editors
UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland 2 AG is a stock corporation headquartered in Basel. As general partner, the company is the only member of UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland 2 KmGK with unrestricted liability. Its activities are aimed at structuring, founding, managing and advising companies and collective investment schemes, in particular in the areas of renewable energies, energy efficiency and energy infrastructure as well as related fields. UBS-CEIS 2 will invest in companies and projects in the areas of energy production (e.g. biomass, hydropower, solar thermal energy, and photovoltaics), energy efficiency and supply infrastructure that are usually not listed. UBS-CEIS 2 represents a suitable solution for institutional investors in the prevailing environment of persistently low interest rates.
FINMA-compliant investment solution – in successful partnership
Under the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act (CISA), the UBS-CEIS 2 investment solution takes the form of a limited partnership for collective investment (LP). UBS Asset Management is responsible for distribution, while Fontavis AG oversees portfolio management, responsible for all investment decisions. The partnership is further enhanced by Swiss Mobiliar, which supports Fontavis with specialist engineers in performing risk assessments and insurance analyses. At the request of potential target companies, it also serves as their insurance partner.
About UBS Asset Management
UBS Asset Management manages USD 831 billion of assets globally, has around 3400 employees and is an important provider of infrastructure investments (direct investments in Equity and Debt and Fund-of-Funds).
About Fontavis
Fontavis is an independent Swiss asset manager that specializes in direct investments in non-listed clean energy and infrastructure companies in Switzerland and Europe. As FINMA regulated Investment Manager, Fontavis has CHF 1 billion under management.
About Mobiliar
Every third household in Switzerland is insured by Swiss Mobiliar. Active in all lines of insurance, Swiss Mobiliar had a premium volume of CHF 3,831 billion as at 31 December 2018. 79 entrepreneurially run general agencies with their own claims service guarantee proximity to more than 2 million customers at around 160 locations.
For more information: www.ubs.com/ceis
UBS Asset Management Switzerland AG
