L&G and Manulife WAM Forge Global Asset Management Alliance
Event summary
- L&G and Manulife Wealth & Asset Management (Manulife WAM) announced a long-term strategic partnership on March 24, 2026, spanning distribution, investment management, and product development.
- The partnership aims to enhance global distribution reach and meet growing demand for wealth and retirement solutions across Europe, Asia, the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda.
- Manulife WAM brings CAD$1.3 trillion in AUMA and strong distribution channels in North America and Asia, while L&G contributes £1.2 trillion in AUM and expertise in annuities and reinsurance.
- The multi-phase partnership will cover asset classes including Alternative Credit, Fixed Income, Multi-asset Solutions, and Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Natural Capital, as well as ETFs.
The big picture
This partnership reflects a broader industry trend of asset managers seeking scale and geographic diversification to meet increasing demand for comprehensive wealth and retirement solutions. Both firms are prioritizing international growth, with L&G's 'build, partner or buy' strategy and Manulife WAM's focus on expanding its product platform. The alliance underscores the strategic importance of combining distribution capabilities with asset management expertise to capture market share in key regions.
What we're watching
- Integration Challenges
- How the firms will manage the multi-phase implementation across diverse geographies and asset classes.
- Market Penetration
- Whether the partnership can effectively expand product offerings and distribution in key international markets.
- Competitive Response
- How rival asset managers will react to this consolidation of capabilities in the global wealth and retirement solutions space.