As we approach the end of the first quarter, MUFG Investor Services continues to seize new opportunities to help clients navigate today’s rapidly evolving investment landscape. The current macroeconomic environment—impacted by severe market swings, new trade policies, and geopolitical uncertainty—has accelerated a shift toward private markets, with capital moving away from public markets in the alternatives space. While significant capital is flowing in, deployment has been more measured, leading to record levels of dry powder.

With anticipated interest rate cuts on the horizon, we expect greater prospects for capital deployment, particularly in private credit, where direct lending deals are increasingly attractive. Investment managers are also looking for ways to launch funds faster and capitalize on emerging opportunities—whether responding to new government initiatives, sector trends, or strategic shifts. In today’s market, the ability to go from fund inception to launch as quickly as possible has become a competitive advantage.

MUFG Investor Services is uniquely positioned to support this momentum by delivering tailored solutions that match the exact needs of our clients—whether they require off-the-shelf efficiency or fully customized infrastructure. Clients are not only looking to launch new funds quickly but also to explore innovative fund structures—such as evergreen and other semi-liquid funds—that require agile servicing models and seamless operational support. These structures bring new demands around liquidity, reporting, and regulatory compliance, and our full-service suite of solutions is designed to provide the flexibility clients need to meet these evolving requirements.

From asset servicing and fund financing to FX hedging, business process outsourcing, and our new banking and payments platform—with the ability to open bank accounts quickly and facilitate global transactions—we provide an integrated, end-to-end solution that reduces friction and enhances operational efficiency. Additionally, we are developing a corporate services solution for entity management, regulatory filings, and governance support, further streamlining operations and risk management for our clients.

With a presence in 17 locations across the globe—and continuing to expand—we are committed to supporting clients wherever they do business. Our growing footprint ensures seamless, around-the-clock service across time zones, backed by the scale and strength of a global institution.

As always, our people remain at the core of our success. Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to innovation allow us to continuously elevate the service we provide. Together, we’re making 2025 a year of exciting growth and progress.

I look forward to what’s ahead.