Standard Chartered has partnered with Barings to launch an investment-grade collateralised loan obligation (IG CLO) strategy under its Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform, expanding its suite of structured credit investment solutions for wealthy clients.

The new sub-fund, Signature Select Quality Credit Income, aims to provide income-oriented exposure to investment-grade CLO tranches through a diversified and actively managed portfolio. Barings has been appointed as sub-investment manager, bringing its structured credit expertise and long track record in CLO markets across the US and Europe.

Standard Chartered said the launch marks the sixth sub-fund under its VCC platform, which was established in June 2024 to deliver tailored investment strategies by combining external fund manager capabilities with the bank’s in-house asset class expertise. The strategy is currently available to eligible high-net-worth clients in markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE and Bahrain, with a broader rollout planned in the coming months.

Barings highlighted that the partnership allows investors to access a high-quality CLO solution designed to generate income across market cycles, leveraging its experience managing more than US$50 billion in CLO assets.