Key Takeaways
- • Bobby Jain, former Credit Suisse global head of asset management and proprietary trading, is leaving Millennium Management after eight years as co-chief investment officer to potentially launch a multi-strategy hedge fund expected to exceed $8 billion in AUM.
- • Jain's prospective fund could provide an employment lifeline for Credit Suisse traders facing displacement following UBS's acquisition, with the new venture potentially larger than ExodusPoint's $8 billion launch in 2019.
- • Credit Suisse's fixed income trading revenues declined only 5% year-over-year in Q1 2023, outperforming Goldman Sachs (17% decline) and Morgan Stanley (12% decline), suggesting some trading talent at the bank remains competitive.
- • Jain is expected to depart Millennium in mid-2023 and begin recruitment activities from July, with the new fund unlikely to launch until the second half of 2024, providing a timeline for hiring displaced Credit Suisse personnel.
Summary
The 52-year-old's prospective multi-strategy fund, still in the planning stages, could substantially exceed the $8 billion AUM that ExodusPoint commanded at its 2019 launch, according to Bloomberg. While the fund remains unconfirmed and unnamed, Jain is scheduled to leave Millennium mid-2023 and is expected to begin recruiting and securing office space starting in July. The formal launch is unlikely until the second half of 2024, creating a window to attract talent from the troubled bank. With UBS integrating Credit Suisse operations and potential staff reductions underway, Jain's venture offers a credible alternative for experienced traders seeking employment outside the combined entity.
Credit Suisse's operational performance provides some rationale for optimism about its remaining talent. Despite reporting $68.6 billion in asset outflows and a $347 million investment banking loss in Q1 2023, the bank's fixed income trading division proved resilient relative to competitors. Fixed income trading revenues fell just 5% year-over-year, significantly outperforming Goldman Sachs's 17% decline and Morgan Stanley's 12% contraction during the same period. This relative strength suggests that at least a portion of Credit Suisse's trader base retains competitive capabilities and market relevance, making them attractive targets for Jain's fund-raising efforts.
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