SWFI First Read, April 26, 2018
Former Obama Cabinet Officials to Advise TPG Rise Fund
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was named a senior advisor for TPG’s Rise Fund. Kerry’s role will be to help find investments for the fund and advised in areas such as renewable energy. Another Obama administration veteran, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, is also an advisor to the Rise Fund.
Jobless Claims in U.S. Drop to the Lowest Level in 48 Years
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the rate of layoffs in the country fell in late April to the lowest level since 1969.
ECB Holds Rates Steady
The European Central Bank (ECB) kept interest rates unchanged on April 26, 2018.
Singulato Motors Raises Series C Round
Singulato Motors raised US$ 474 million in a Series C round from a number of investors. Some current backers include TaoYun Beijing Investment Fund, GX Capital and Qihoo 360. Singulato Motors is a Chinese electric vehicle startup.
Thae Khwarg Nears CIO Role at Korea National Pension Service
Thae Khwarg appears to be the top contender for the Chief Investment Officer role at Korea’s National Pension Service. Khwarg is the former head of Baring Asset Management Korea, which is formerly known as SEI Asset Korea. Khwarg was selected by NPS’ chairman for the role and is awaiting approval from South Korea’s Minister of Health and Welfare.
Al Hilal Bank Uncovers Internal Fraud
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Banking behemoth J.P. Morgan Chase disclosed its own digital currency called JPM Coin. The digital token will be used to settle payments between clients. JPM Coin will be backed by physical U.S. dollars and be based off Quorum. Quorum is J.P. Morgan’s private Ethereum-based chain. JPM Coin plans to compete with Ripple, which created XRP, another digital currency that is used for settlements. Ripple’s main target market is cross-border payments and remittances.
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority have unveiled their plans for Aber, an interbank digital currency. Both banks have indicated that Aber will be limited to financial settlements using distributed ledger technologies. It will be rolled out on a probational basis, and used by select banks within the two countries. A date for rollout has not yet been declared. A joint statement hinted at a broader application of the currency in the days ahead. If “no technical obstacles are encountered, economic and legal requirements for future uses will be considered.” Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers technologies will be employed. The plan is for ‘Proof-of-Concept’ testing, which involves studying and fully comprehending the ways modern technologies can achieve practical applications. The digital currency has the potential to become a reserve system for central payments.
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La Française and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) formed a strategic partnership for the launch of a real estate investment and development vehicle: Société Foncière et Immobilière du Grand Paris. The joint venture between CPPIB (80%) and Caisse Fédérale du Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe (CMNE) (20%), La Française’s shareholder, will invest in major real estate projects linked to the Grand Paris infrastructure in the Greater Paris area. The parties will initially allocate €387.5 million in equity to the venture. The partnership will target regeneration and infrastructure-led investments.[ Content protected for Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Standard subscribers only. Please subscribe to view content. ]
Øystein Olsen, the Governor of Norges Bank, which oversees the Norway Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), voiced his opinion on the Norwegian government’s plans to alter the rules that regulates the country’s SWF withdrawal rules in certain circumstances. The coalition government led by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg wants to relax the limits on SWF withdrawals in specific cases. Norway’s government seeks to raid the fund to pay for the replacement of four major state buildings impacted by a terrorist attack and a crashed Royal Norwegian Navy frigate (KNM Helge Ingstad).
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