HSBC Global Asset Management (Malta) Limited has grown past the €1 billion milestone in assets under management and distribution.

HSBC Global Asset Management Malta is part of the HSBC Global Asset Management network with €383 billion in assets under management as at December 2015 and has a presence in over 26 countries and territories worldwide. It specialises in the development and management of investment products and services for clients around the world.

HSBC Global Asset Management (Malta) Ltd Managing Director Muriel Rutland said: "This year, the Company will mark 20 years of offering world-class investment and advisory capabilities to clients in Malta. We have had remarkable success. In fact, our main focus is to maintain this healthy performance in the future."

The Company was incorporated in 1996, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. It was later licensed by the MFSA as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager in 2014. It manages six funds: Malta Bond Fund, Malta Government Bond Fund, Maltese Assets Fund, International Bond Fund, Equity Growth Fund, and HSBC Property Investment Fund.

According to Ms Rutland, the locally-manufactured fund range is targeted mainly at retail investors and it has been observed that most Maltese retail investors prefer to invest in the domestic market, particularly in fixed income. This preference has been reinforced by the fact that Malta's economy remained resilient during the eurozone crisis.

Apart from the locally-managed funds, which are distributed through the HSBC branch network, HSBC Global Asset Management Malta also distributes HSBC's globally-managed fund ranges, namely World Selection Portfolios, Global Investment Funds, Liquidity Funds and the recently launched HSBC Select Funds. More information may be obtained by setting up an appointment with the Financial Advisers at any one of the branches.

"World Selection has been a real success story here in Malta. The Fund range is advised as a 'managed solution' to retail investors and has had net inflows of around €40 million in 2014 and 2015," asserted Ms Rutland.

Earlier in February, HSBC Malta announced the launch of HSBC Select Funds, a range of five funds with differing risk profiles for distribution in Malta.

"We have just introduced HSBC Select to differentiate our wealth management proposition for the HSBC Premier customer base. These Funds draw on HSBC's international scope and presence in the principal financial centres around the world, as well as on our recognised expertise," said Ms Rutland.