Overview
Amundi is a French asset management company that stands as the largest asset manager in Europe and one of the top 10 global players in the industry.
Formation and Ownership
Amundi was formed on January 1, 2010, through the merger of the asset management activities of Crédit Agricole (Crédit Agricole Asset Management, CAAM) and Société Générale (Société Générale Asset Management, SGAM). Crédit Agricole S.A. holds the majority stake in Amundi.
Assets Under Management
As of 2024, Amundi manages approximately €2.2 trillion in assets under management (AUM), serving over 100 million retail, institutional, and corporate clients worldwide.
Business Activities
Amundi is involved in a wide range of investment management activities, including:
- Active Management: Managing mutual funds in equities, bonds, diversified management, structured products, and treasury management.
- Passive Management: Issuing ETFs and managing index funds.
- Real and Alternative Assets: Investing in real estate and private equity.
- French Employee Savings Schemes: Amundi is particularly active in the field of French employee savings schemes (épargne salariale).
Global Presence
Amundi operates through six international investment hubs located in Boston, Dublin, London, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo. The company has offices in several countries across Europe, Asia, and the United States, employing around 5,500 people in 35 countries.
Subsidiaries and Acquisitions
Amundi owns several subsidiaries, including CPR Asset Management (CPR AM) and BFT Investment Managers (BFT IM) in France. The company has made significant acquisitions, such as Pioneer Investments in 2017 and Lyxor Asset Management in 2021. Recent acquisitions include Aixigo, a digital financial consulting software provider, and a stake in Moneybox in 2024.
Research and Advisory
Amundi has a robust research and analysis unit that issues regular publications on global economic conditions and stock market developments. The company emphasizes a research-driven investment culture and offers smart beta approaches and other innovative investment strategies to its clients.
Listing and Shareholders
Amundi Group has been listed on the Euronext stock exchange since November 2015, with Crédit Agricole S.A. as its majority shareholder. Overall, Amundi is a key player in the global asset management landscape, known for its comprehensive range of savings and investment solutions, extensive global presence, and commitment to responsible investment practices.
Leadership Team
Amundi s leadership team comprises several key executives overseeing various aspects of the company s operations. Here are some of the prominent leaders:
Global Leadership
- Valerie Baudson: Group Chief Executive Officer of Amundi S.A. since May 10, 2021. Baudson also serves as a Director of CA Indosuez Wealth (France) SA.
Amundi US Leadership
- Lisa M. Jones: Head of the Americas, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Amundi US, Inc. Jones has over 30 years of experience in global financial services and is a member of the Global Executive Committee.
Investment Leadership
- Marco Pirondini: Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer, US, and Portfolio Manager at Amundi US (effective January 1, 2024). Pirondini oversees the US equity, fixed income, and multi-asset teams, chairs the US Investment Committee, and serves on Amundi s Global Investment Committee.
Other Key Roles
- Ken Taubes: Portfolio Manager and member of the US Investment Committee. Taubes transitioned from his role as Chief Investment Officer, US, to focus on portfolio management full-time as of January 1, 2024.
- Jonathan M Duensing: Senior Managing Director, Head of Fixed Income, US, Director of Multi-Sector Fixed Income, and Portfolio Manager. Duensing supervises all fixed income portfolio management at Amundi US.
- John A. Carey: Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, and Director of Equity Income, US. Carey leads a team managing US dividend equity strategies.
- Paresh J. Upadhyaya: Director of Currency Strategy and Portfolio Manager for multi-sector strategies. Upadhyaya also leads Amundi Pioneer s currency research effort. These leaders, along with other members of the leadership team, are responsible for guiding Amundi s strategic direction, managing investment risks, enhancing client relationships, and ensuring sustainable growth across diverse markets.
History
Amundi s history is marked by significant mergers, acquisitions, and strategic expansions. Here are the key points in its history:
Founding and Merger
- January 1, 2010: Amundi was formed through the merger of Crédit Agricole Asset Management (CAAM) and Société Générale Asset Management (SGAM).
- Initial ownership: Crédit Agricole held 75% and Société Générale held 25% of the new company.
Initial Operations and Restructuring
- At inception, Amundi managed €670 billion in assets, making it the third largest European asset management company.
- The merger led to the elimination of 260 jobs globally but created about 60 new positions in risk management and commercial distribution.
Public Listing
- November 12, 2015: Amundi was listed on the Euronext stock exchange.
- Société Générale sold its 20% stake, and Crédit Agricole reduced its stake to 75%.
Major Acquisitions
- December 2016: Acquired Pioneer Investments for €3.5 billion, expanding AUM to €1,426 billion by the end of 2017.
- October 2013: Acquired Smith Breeden Associates in the United States.
- 2020: Acquired Sabadell AM, managing €22 billion in assets.
- 2021: Acquired Lyxor Asset Management from Société Générale.
Rebranding
- July 2017: US business rebranded as Amundi Pioneer following the Pioneer Investments acquisition.
- January 1, 2021: Further rebranded to Amundi US to align with the global Amundi brand.
Global Presence and Operations
- As of 2024, Amundi manages approximately €2.2 trillion in assets.
- Operates in several countries across Europe, Asia, and the United States.
- Serves around 100 million individual clients and 1,000 institutional customers worldwide.
Leadership and Milestones
- Yves Perrier served as initial CEO until May 2017, succeeded by Valérie Baudson.
- Launched a societal plan in December 2021.
- Established a joint venture with Bank of China at the end of 2020. Amundi s history reflects its strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions, commitment to responsible investment, and expansion into global markets.
Products & Solutions
Amundi, Europe's largest asset manager, offers a comprehensive suite of investment solutions tailored to diverse client needs:
Investment Solutions
- Active Management: Equity, fixed income, multi-asset, and liquidity solutions
- Passive Management: ETFs, index management, smart beta, and factor investing
- Alternative Assets: Real estate, private debt, private equity, infrastructure, and hedge funds
- Structured Solutions: CPPI, formula funds, strategy funds, structured notes, and employee stock ownership funds
Real Assets and Alternatives
Amundi has expanded its capabilities through acquisitions like Alpha Associates, addressing institutional investors' diversification needs and developing new retail investment solutions.
Technology and Services
ALTO Platform
An AI-integrated portfolio management system covering analysis, compliance, risk, performance, trade processing, and data management.
Amundi Technology
Offers scalable financial management and data tools:
- ALTO Investment: End-to-end asset management platform
- ALTO Wealth and Distribution: Retail banking and wealth management solution
- ALTO Sustainability: ESG and impact measurement tool
- ALTO Asset Servicing: Investment compliance and portfolio analysis support
- ALTO Employee Savings and Retirement: Savings and retirement scheme management
Outsourced Solutions
Amundi Technology provides outsourced portfolio management, front and middle-office operations, data management, and fund services.
Operational Services
Includes open architecture solutions, fund distribution, OCIO solutions, and training programs.
Research and Analysis
- Investment Institute: 11 specialized teams with over 60 experts
- Financial Analysis: 190 economists and analysts in major financial centers
- Extra-Financial Analysis: 40 ESG and corporate governance analysts Amundi's product suite leverages advanced technology and expertise to meet diverse client needs across various asset classes and investment strategies.
Core Technology
Amundi Technology, a subsidiary of Amundi, centers its operations around the ALTO platform, a cutting-edge technology solution for the financial sector.
ALTO Platforms
ALTO offers scalable, end-to-end solutions for asset managers, banks, and wealth managers, covering the entire investment and wealth management value chain.
Modular Offerings
ALTO's modular structure includes:
- ALTO Investment: Portfolio construction, optimization, order management, risk monitoring, and trade execution
- ALTO Wealth & Distribution: Client engagement and investment management at scale
- ALTO Sustainability: Cloud-based ESG data transformation and analysis
- ALTO Asset Servicing: Investment compliance oversight and portfolio analysis
- ALTO Employee Savings & Retirement: Front-to-back platform for employee savings and retirement schemes
Key Features
- Single platform with unified data language
- Cloud-based infrastructure ensuring scalability and market connectivity
- Highly configurable to meet specific client needs
- Rapid and cost-effective implementation
- Integrated external data sourcing and quality control
AI and Innovation
Amundi Technology leads in AI innovation, offering:
- Behavioral analysis tools for investment optimization
- AI-driven document compliance and management
- Generative AI for RFP responses and translations
- Autonomous agents for automated decision-making
Global Expertise
Supported by:
- 900+ IT experts
- 120 data specialists
- 400 middle-office professionals
- 19 global locations
- 5 tech and innovation hubs Amundi's core technology combines advanced features, modularity, and global expertise to provide comprehensive solutions for the financial industry.
Industry Peers
As the largest European asset manager, Amundi faces competition from several global players in the asset management sector:
BNP Paribas Asset Management
- Focus: Long-term sustainable returns
- Clientele: Individual, corporate, and institutional investors
- Emphasis: Sustainability and responsible investing
Union Investment
- Type: Active and sustainable asset manager
- Clientele: Institutional investors
- Founded: 1956
- Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Robeco
- Specialty: Research-driven investment strategies
- Focus: International asset management
Invesco
- Type: Independent global investment management firm
- Primary service: Investment management
- Listed: NYSE (IVZ)
Mirae Asset Financial Group
- Scope: Global financial services provider
- Offerings: Range of financial products including asset management
SESAMm
- Specialty: Big data and AI for asset management
- Focus: Financial technology
BinckBank
- Type: Online bank for investors and savers
- Services: Online financial services
Lyxor Asset Management
- Note: Acquired by Amundi in 2021
- Previous focus: ETF and index fund management, particularly in Europe These companies compete with Amundi across various segments, including active and passive management, traditional and alternative assets, and institutional and retail investment services. Each brings unique strengths and specializations to the global asset management landscape.