Close Brothers Group is a UK merchant banking group that offers lending, deposit taking, wealth management and securities trading services. Close Brothers Asset Management provides a range of financial advice, investment management and on-line investing services. The banking division provides lending to small businesses and individuals. It also offers deposit taking services to UK businesses and individuals. In securities, it provides trading services in the UK through its Winterflood subsidiary. The company was established in 1878 and employs more than 3,000 people, principally in the UK, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Close Brothers Group has reported an uptick in funds under management in its asset management business, according to a trading statement released today.
Liontrust's Stephen Bailey and Jan Luthman have been upping their exposure to asset management firms ahead of an anticipated "triple positive whammy" for the sector in the years ahead.
Close Brothers has reported a 2% rise in full-year pre-tax profits and expects its asset management division to return to profitability next year as it completes a restructuring.