Make a Mark
Annual report 2019

Net increase in the volume of the credit portfolio to 2.2 billion euros.

Continued strong dynamics in credits in Belgium, Luxembourg and France.

Further development of the Lombard credits offering granted to Belgian, Luxembourg and French clients as an alternative to traditional mortgage loans.

Slight decline in average credit margins despite the competitive credit environment.

Excellent quality of the credit portfolio.

39.2 billion euros of assets under management (gross), with a net capital inflow of 2.1 billion euros.

Management of nearly 300 institutional mandates, including a new major mandate granted in France.

Ongoing international expansion, with almost 70% of net new cash stemming from outside Belgium.

Significant inflows in different European strategies and global equities, bonds (global unconstrained, high yield and emerging market debt in local currency) and sustainable strategies across different asset classes and themes.

Launch of a new aggregate bond strategy that focuses on sustainability in terms of climate trends.

Buy-side research team of equity and credit analysts drawing up a recommendation list for more than 100 European and US equities and covering more than 500 high yield and investment grade corporate bonds.

Numerous awards for quality of the management and investment performances:

40.5 billion euros assets under administration and/or custody (gross).

Set-up of around 40 new funds under Luxembourg or Belgian law.

Operational onboarding of Belgian funds managed and distributed by Degroof Petercam Asset Management (8.5 billion euros) which where migrated on January 2, 2020.

Cross-border migration of an additional sub-fund onto the proprietary custody platform (203 million euros).

Launch of five private equity funds with total commitments of 306 million euros.

90 mandates in mergers & acquisitions (M&A), capital markets transactions and advisory, confirming Degroof Petercam’s leading position in investment banking services, especially for mid-size companies.

38 M&A mandates totaling 2.3 billion euros of which 13 in Belgium, 23 in France and 2 in Spain.

Landmark debt market capital transactions in Belgium and in France such as the bond issues of Gimv, Leasinvest and Befimmo, the debt financing of Biogroup, the private debt placement for Elis and Vilmorin and acquisition financing for French companies such as Legris, Apax and Axeréal.

6 equity capital market transactions, such as the capital increases of Aedifica, Montéa and TINC.

Expansion of sell-side research to a broader client base in Spain and the United States.

Launch of a new comprehensive derivatives offering and development of a new client base, including first structuring transactions with new institutional clients.

Institutional seminars on healthcare, consumer and real estate sectors and Benelux roadshows in major international financial centers such as New York, London, Paris, Milan, Zurich, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Madrid.

Double digit growth of stock option plans activities, adding 48 new clients in 2019 amongst which several BEL20 companies.

Substantial increase of the dealing desk business in major asset classes worldwide.

Successful launch of Corporate Finance activities in Luxembourg.

Publication of the annual Benelux Company Handbook, team of sell-side analysts covering more than 130 listed companies in the Benelux and distribution of more than 1000 company updates and 60 detailed reports.

58% asset increase into SRI funds, or more than 7.2 billion euros invested in sustainable portfolios.

Launch of a new active investment strategy in government and corporate bonds dedicated to the transition to a low-carbon economy. This strategy includes green bonds, companies responding to climate change issues through their services and products, as well as companies in so-called transition sectors.

Labeling of the full range of 11 sustainable strategies according to the Towards Sustainability criteria, defined by the Belgian financial sector.

Focus on climate and active shareholdership:

Further international recognition:

Overall strong performance and pace of deployment of existing private equity investments in line with expectations.

Record fundraising with 250 million euros of new commitments raised across four new investment opportunities.

New initiatives in view of the development of the Private Equity offering in France.

Successful launch of Green Fund IV, a new fund in the renewable energy sector, aimed at pursuing a strategy similar to previous funds focused on onshore wind farm projects in France.

Completion of major exit transaction with the sale of ASL (aviation services), a participation of 3P Air Freighters.

Significant distributions in certain funds and feeder funds, such as Green Fund 2, CA2 Secondaries (Committed Advisors), CVC Capital Partners 6, Down2Earth, Sofindev IV and 3P Tangible Assets Fund.

2,970 hours of volunteer work performed by 396 colleagues during the seventh edition of Degroof Petercam Solidarity Days covering projects ranging from first aid trainings, tree planting, sporting with refugees and walking with disabled persons and many more initiatives all over Belgium and Luxemburg.

750,000 euros in micro donations gathered through the crowdfunding platform Gingo, supporting 49 projects in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Launch of the skills based sponsorship program with over 50 colleagues involved by advising charity initiatives or mentoring job seekers, in France and Belgium.

20,904 euros awarded to ’Mobile Schools’, a project delivering education to street children in developing countries, thanks to micro donations from colleagues in France, Belgium and Luxemburg.

Collection of funds by the Degroof Petercam Cycling Team for the Foundation against Cancer.

Organization of a conference at the Belgian embassy in Lisbon on Portugal’s pioneering role in social economy and social innovation in presence of Prof. Filipe Santos, dean of the Catolica University and world leader on this topic.

Active participation to NetMentora (entrepreneurial network) and Fundació Banc Dels Aliments (food bank) in Spain.

Long-term advisory mission for a future philanthropist willing to tackle violence against women and children.

1 million euros grant awarded to ‘DUO for a JOB’ selected as the first winner of the new Degroof Petercam Foundation program. DUO for a JOB matches young job seekers with an immigrant background with senior people to accompany and support them in their job search.

Participation in the annual summit of the European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA) in The Hague.

Organization of an inspiring conference on the topic of ’Invisible heroes’ in collaboration with DUO for a JOB, the Lunt Foundation and social entrepreneur Julie de Pimodan, founder of Fluicity, an active citizenship app.