Connecting Capital to Opportunity - Barings CEO Mike Freno

In this episode of the Streaming Income podcast, Barings Chairman & CEO Mike Freno shares how long-term partnerships, innovative thinking, and deep global relationships are reshaping the asset management landscape.

Key Themes:

Long Term Partnership Mindset

Freno explains how Barings’ ownership model enables true long term thinking and an alignment of interests with clients and partners — creating a foundation for durable, multi decade relationships.

Innovative Client Partnerships

Across the industry, partnerships are shifting away from transactional engagements to deeply aligned, long term strategic relationships. These collaborations — spanning sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, pensions, and wealth investors — are driven by shared vision, innovative thinking, and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Partnerships Unlocking Global Opportunities

A global presence and an extensive network of relationships are crucial to identifying the best relative value opportunities for clients across regions and asset classes. These partnerships also form the foundation for originating unique, differentiated assets in areas like global real estate, direct lending, asset based finance, and more.

Episode Segments:

(02:18) – Who is Barings today?

(05:04) – How Barings’ ownership model allows for a long-term focus and alignment of interests

(10:15) – Growth in the Middle East and partnering with like-minded sovereign wealth investors

(13:28) – Innovative multi-asset partnerships with pension funds globally

(16:34) – Where alts manager / insurance partnerships go next

(23:29) – Increasing access to Barings’ capabilities to the wealth channel globally

(27:06) – Insight into a global real estate platform built to identify value and source unique assets

(31:34) – Assessing the health of the direct lending market and the global opportunity for investors

(36:06) – The growth in asset-based finance (ABF) and why origination is so critical

(40:34) – Solving problems for investors and borrowers in portfolio finance

(41:58) – What sets Barings apart (Hint: think culture & team)

Make sure to follow our LinkedIn newsletter, Where Credit is Due to stay up-to-date on our latest public & private credit market insights.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Any forecasts in this podcast are based upon Barings’ opinion of the market at the date of preparation and are subject to change without notice, dependent upon many factors. Any prediction, projection or forecast is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance. Investment involves risk. The value of any investments and any income generated may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Any examples set forth in this podcast are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of any future investment results or investments. The composition, size of, and risks associated with an investment may differ substantially from any examples set forth in this podcast. No representation is made that an investment will be profitable or will not incur losses.

Barings is the brand name for the worldwide asset management and associated businesses of Barings LLC and its global affiliates. Barings Securities LLC, Barings (U.K.) Limited, Barings Global Advisers Limited, Barings Australia Pty Ltd, Barings Japan Limited, Barings Real Estate Advisers Europe Finance LLP, BREAE AIFM LLP, Baring Asset Management Limited, Baring International Investment Limited, Baring Fund Managers Limited, Baring International Fund Managers (Ireland) Limited, Baring Asset Management (Asia) Limited, Baring SICE (Taiwan) Limited, Baring Asset Management Switzerland Sarl, and Baring Asset Management Korea Limited each are affiliated financial service companies owned by Barings LLC (each, individually, an “Affiliate”).

NO OFFER: The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or service in any jurisdiction. The material herein was prepared without any consideration of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of anyone who may receive it. This podcast is not, and must not be treated as, investment advice, an investment recommendation, investment research, or a recommendation about the suitability or appropriateness of any security, commodity, investment, or particular investment strategy.

Unless otherwise mentioned, the views contained in this podcast are those of Barings and are subject to change without notice. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and may make different investment decisions for different clients. Parts of this podcast may be based on information received from sources we believe to be reliable. Although every effort is taken to ensure that the information contained in this podcast is accurate, Barings makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information

Any service, security, investment or product outlined in this podcast may not be suitable for a prospective investor or available in their jurisdiction.

Copyright in this podcast is owned by Barings. Information in this podcast may be used for your own personal use, but may not be altered, reproduced or distributed without Barings’ consent.

26-5153115